Biosecurity and FAD Preparedness... THE TIME IS NOW!

There’s a reason why so many people are talking about the need for biosecurity and foreign animal disease (FAD) today—because the stakes for Ohio’s and the nation’s pork producers are so high. With the real threat of FAD such as African swine fever (ASF) as close as the Caribbean countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the time to act is now.

“Because pork products can move anywhere around the world in 24 hours today, we must stay vigilant for foreign animal disease such as African swine fever,” says Dr. Dennis Summers, Ohio state veterinarian. “We recently experienced with high pathogen avian influenza can do here and across the country, so we don’t want that scenario in the pork industry.”

“It comes down to business continuity,” Summers says. “If we get an FAD and your farm is in the control zone, you won’t be able to move pigs without a permit. That’s why we urge producers to participate in the Secure Pork Supply plan, along with testing, so that they can demonstrate they are free of disease and are taking the steps necessary to mitigate risk of spreading the disease.”

Steps to Be Ready

Every pig farmer can make use of multiple tools available today to help create, refine or improve their risk-mitigation strategies for dealing with the possible introduction of foreign animal disease into the country. For a comprehensive checklist of preparation tips, see the following page or scan the QR code below.

Some key tools to consider and programs to participate in include the following no-cost ones sponsored by USDA and the Pork Checkoff, although other tools also exist.

Secure Pork Supply: This program gives producers a framework for a farm-specific biosecurity plan. To find out more and to enroll visit www.ohiopork.org/sps

AgView: This is an online tool that can provide disease status updates and pig movement data to state animal health officials. Learn more at agview.com

Swine Health Improvement Plan: Known as SHIP, this program aims to establish a platform for safeguarding, improving, and representing the health status of swine across participating farm sites, supply chains, states, and regions. Learn more, ask questions, or enroll in U.S. SHIP, contact Ohio Pork Council at pork@ohiopork.org or call (614) 882-5887.

While the U.S. Border and Protection agency keeps close watch on our national borders to potential incoming disease threats with the well-known Beagle Brigade and other tools, it only takes one instance for an FAD to enter. This reality makes onfarm preparation for an outbreak indispensable.

“While we hope ASF or another foreign animal disease don’t come to Ohio or anywhere in the U.S., we need to be prepared,” says Nick Seger, Ohio Pork Council president. “That means knowing what your biosecurity plan is and then following it closely to make sure it works.”

Summers says biocontainment of a disease pathogen is critical to limit the spread of a virus like ASF. However, this means that you must have a biosecurity plan for your farm and execute it well to achieve this goal.

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST OR FIND PRINT COPY ON NEXT TWO PAGES

Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Checklist

Global movement of pigs and people pose greater risks to herd health than ever before. This checklist helps pork producers prepare for an outbreak with practical steps and resources.

In the event of an FAD outbreak, Premises Identification Numbers (PINs) link site data and information for timely and efficient analysis by animal health officials for rapid decision making. Having these records in an electronic format, such as AgView, is preferered for effective industry response.

TRACEABILITY ONSITE

Traceability Action Items

Obtain or maintain separate PIN for each production site, geolocating each to site where pigs are housed

Record origin/destination PINs for all animal and semen shipments, and include the sending PINs on bills of lading and diagnostic laboratory submissions. Also keep all animal, visitor, and equipment movement logs current for each site. Forms are available: animal, visitor, and vehicle and equipment

Create an AgView account and upload premises, pig movement, and Secure Pork Supply documentation

Working with your herd veterinarian and using available resources will assist with onsite preparedness.

Onsite Preparedness Action Items

Create and follow a site-specific biosecurity plan which can be shared upon request with responding agencies

Train all production staff/employees on FAD clinical signs, including:

• Foot-and-mouth disease - English or Spanish

• Classical swine fever - English or Spanish

• African swine fever - English or Spanish

Observe pigs daily for FAD clinical signs, document and report concerns

Perform diagnostic testing as directed by your herd veterinarian

Work with herd veterinarian to determine potential for Certified Swine Sample Collection participation

Develop depopulation/disposal plans in case of a market disruption and/or stop movement order:

• Reference USDA APHIS ASF Response Depopulation, Disposal, and Decontamination Guidance

• Consult state animal health officials and pork organizations for resources

• Plan to obtain movement permit for animal transport

• Identify feeding strategies to reduce pig growth

Enroll in US SHIP, a program designed for protecting, improving, and representing the health status of pig production operations across supply chains, areas, states, and regions.

Emergency Depopulation And Disposal Plans

In an FAD event, herd depopulation and disposal may be required to halt disease spread.

Emergency Depopulation And Disposal Action Items

Develop a site-specific emergency depopulation and disposal plan with your herd veterinarian and appropriate state agencies

Determine required resources to conduct depopulation and disposal methods:

• Access swine depopulation checklist and swine disposal checklist. To best assure qualification for indemnity, depopulation should follow an American Veterinary Medical Association-approved method

Locate potential sources for equipment/supplies, consulting state animal health official and/or state pork association for resources

Develop on-site disposal plan or establish contract with disposal vendor, with back-up option

• See USDA APHIS ASF Response Depopulation, Disposal, and Decontamination Guidance

Identify mental health resources that may be needed in the event of an outbreak. Resources are available through AgriSafe Network, Rural Mental Health Hub, AASV Depopulation Debrief, many land grant university extension programs, and local mental health providers.

Document notes and questions to help advance your preparedness here:

© Copyright 2023 National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Checkoff Program. Questions? Call the Pork Checkoff Service Center 1-800-456-7675 or visit porkcheckoff.org.