Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 9/5/18


With the expansion of the current outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in China, the National Pork Board, along with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the USDA are focusing on imported feed ingredients, a key area of potential high risk of disease transport.

“Research has demonstrated the ability for certain feed ingredients to support viral survival during conditions modeled after either trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific shipping to U.S. ports and on to locations likely to manufacture feed for swine,” said Paul Sundberg, DVM, director of the Swine Health Information Center. “For this reason, we want the entire U.S. pork industry to look at this research and consider ways that it can help us prevent a (foreign animal disease) from entering this country through this route.”

Swine industry experts have compiled seven critical points for pig farmers to raise with their feed and feed ingredient suppliers with the objective of starting a dialog about feed ingredient safety. These discussion points were developed with review and input by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), Kansas State University and the University of Minnesota.
• Describe the facility’s biosecurity program to minimize the spread of pathogens from people, vehicles and ingredients.
• Describe the facility’s employee training on feed safety.
• Describe the facility’s pest control program.
• Describe the facility’s traceability program.
• Describe the facility’s supplier approval program.
• Is the facility certified by a third-party certification body for food safety? Third-party certification programs may include the Feed Additives Manufacturers (FAMI-QS), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Safe Quality Food (SQF), Safe Feed/Safe Food, etc.
• Does the facility utilize ingredients that were manufactured or packaged outside of the United States?
Dave Pyburn, DVM, vice president of science and technology for the Pork Checkoff, advises producers to review the Foreign Animal Disease Checklist that is offered at pork.org/FAD.

“By going through the items on this list, you can improve your biosecurity plan and prepare to register for the voluntary Secure Pork Supply plan (see securepork.org), which will help participants maintain business continuity in the event of a (foreign animal disease),” he said.
According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, potential losses from ASF could total as much as $8 billion for the pork industry in year one alone. That doesn’t include related losses of $4 billion and $1.5 billion for the affected input commodities of corn and soybeans, respectively.

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