Source: MEATINGPLACE, 4/10/14


Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is asking USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to mobilize government resources to combat the spread of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), calling it a crisis for producers and processors that could also mean higher grocery bills for consumers.

Franken, in a letter to Vilsack posted on his website, urged USDA to enhance disease detection capabilities for the virus, take measures to prevent its further spread and strengthen efforts to develop drugs and vaccines.
He also urged Vilsack to “use any existing authority to provide relief and assistance to those impacted by the virus” and to leverage expertise and resources throughout the federal government to “effectively address this crisis.”

The virus has spread to at least 26 states and killed [an estimated] 4 million young pigs since May 2013, the senator noted.

Sens. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) last month appealed to Vilsack to approve disaster relief aid for pork producers hit by PEDv.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com