A recent trip to the European Union allowed those in the pork industry to see firsthand how the U.S. industry can continue to prevent and prepare for a foreign animal disease outbreak. Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, along with producers, National Pork Producers Council staff, and the USDA, spent time with those facing African Swine Fever threats and consequences.
?There were distinctions between each of those countries and to what type of introduction of the virus that they had, you know, whether it was in their commercial production or into their wild boar or both,? Oedekoven said. ?And it was also interesting to find out their different responses.?
The trip strengthened the producer working group, organized by NPB and the NPPC, by proving their priorities are correct in protecting the U.S. herd. Oedekoven said some practices used overseas could be implemented in the states.
?Across the European Union, they have a standardized regionalization and zoning classification, and they have a specific zone designation for finding ASF in wild boar where it’s not found in commercial pigs,? Oedekoven said. ?And that allows continued movement of commercial pigs, even in and out, you know, by permit.?
Oedekoven said they learned most of the world?s sow population is in ASF-positive countries.
?That helped put something in perspective for us to that point is the disease tip from a foreign animal disease to an endemic disease, a production disease, that industry is just going to have to deal with,? Oedekoven said. ?And of course, here in the Western Hemisphere, we hope that’s not the case, and we’ll continue to try to keep it out. That’s most important.?
Pork Checkoff funds paid for the collaborative expedition, and experts plan to share more about the trip in informal and formal presentations and meetings. For more information, visit porkcheckoff.org.
