Legislative Update

Knock-Knock! Who’s There? ASF?

By Cheryl Day, Executive Vice President

Do you hear ASF knocking at United States’ door? As it spreads across the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the virus is uncomfortably close. From the national to the local level, it is time to get real with ourselves. Are you and your entire farm team prepared? Are we taking all measures to keep it out? Is Ohio prepared? Fair questions for all involved.

Here are the facts.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, and Swine Health Information Center continue to work collaboratively with the USDA to prevent ASF and other foreign animal diseases from reaching domestic swine herds.

We know what African Swine Fever is, we know the clinical signs, we know how it spreads, we have a grasp on solid biosecurity measures and surveillance, but the step-bystep procedure on what to do when it hits a region of the United States is not clear to all individuals involved in the pork industry.

As life with a pandemic has demonstrated, we can’t prepare for all unknowns. However, we can do our part now and take control of the known factors to build a robust system to maintain readiness for foreign animal disease outbreaks. Ohio’s Pork Industry is providing serious thought and time equity into Ohio’s Foreign Animal Disease Plan. We have hosted many meetings discussing the “what ifs” of FAD outbreaks. Now, the emergency response needs to be put on paper and practiced. Writing the Ohio State Plan with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS officials is a messy process, but we are making progress. From government officials to the industry, we are focused on having a written emergency response state plan on paper to control the spread of a very contagious animal disease and ultimately plan for business continuity.

In August, delegates from Ohio’s pork industry voted with 26 other states to develop and implement an African Swine Fever (ASF)Classical Swine Fever (CSF) Monitored Certification Program. The U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) enhances prevention, response, and recovery of trade impacting disease amongst the pork supply chain.

What if you can’t move pigs?

Frankly, gaps are discovered every day in FAD emergency response planning. Identifying and addressing the gaps is something no one in the swine industry can ignore. Isn’t it time to get real with yourself and ask what will my farm do if I can’t move pigs?

The Secure Pork Supply Plan for Continuity of Business provides ways to prepare and request a movement permit. Yet, many farms do not have an SPS Plan. What’s stopping you? Dr. Andreia Arruda and her OSU Team can assist you to write the plan at no cost. Get started today by contacting her at (614) 688-3277 or arruda.13@osu.edu.

In January 2022, farms can voluntarily participate in the new US SHIP ASF-CSF Monitored Certification Program. This will allow your farm to establish and maintain officially recognized health status certification across your herd.

NPPC recommends the following measures for producers to prevent ASF.

• Use caution when hosting on-farm visitors from an ASF-positive region of the world; follow downtime recommendations from USDA’s Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

• Review your biosecurity protocols to ensure consistent practice of appropriate safeguards.

• Fill out the Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Checklist and enroll in the Secure Pork Supply program.

• Visit with your feed suppliers to discuss the origin of the feed ingredients they are using in your diets.

Are you staying informed with OPC Activities? Here are some ways you can stay in touch.

• Sign up for a weekly Member e-newsletter to keep well informed.

• Become or maintain your SIP. If you pay into the Strategic Investment Program, you are supporting the effort to influence policy and protect your freedom to operate. All SIP members also receive additional information on legislation and issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

• Sign Up for Ohio Pork Text Service. Just text OHIOPORK to (833) 340-1405. All members are encouraged to opt-in for free. Get the latest info and be alert during a crisis.

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