The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reopening the public comment period for a proposal to establish an official program for safeguarding, improving and representing the health status of U.S. pigs.
Since 2020, APHIS, in cooperation with industry, has piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) aimed at certifying participating sites as monitored for African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF).
APHIS recently announced the proposed rule that would build upon the pilot program and establish US SHIP as a national voluntary livestock improvement program. Under the proposal, APHIS would create sectors for various types of swine herds and production facilities centered on production methods and disease risk.
“Participating sites would be able to obtain certifications of disease-monitored status for ASF and CSF. These sites would be able to market their products with the relevant certification status, which could limit disruptions to international and interstate commerce in the event of animal disease outbreaks,” APHIS shared in a release.
As part of US SHIP, APHIS would establish a General Conference Committee composed of swine producers and other industry and state animal health participants to advise APHIS on matters of swine health and disease management, the agency noted.
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said it strongly supports the development of US SHIP, the appropriation of funds for it, and the transition of the program to APHIS.
NPPC submitted comments earlier this year on codifying the US SHIP as a federal regulatory program under USDA and said that without US SHIP, an FAD outbreak in the U.S. could stop pork exports for more than 10 years at a cost of $50 billion. Even if the FAD were controlled and pork exports resumed within two years, losses are estimated to be $15 billion, the organization said.
“US SHIP is a top priority for us,” Chase Adams, NPPC assistant vice president for domestic policy said during the Ohio Pork Congress. “Now that final rule is out, we need to make sure US SHIP has the resources needed to stay afloat.”
Beginning on Feb. 28, APHIS will accept public comments at www.regulations.gov/document/APHIS-2022-0061-0001. All comments must be submitted on or before March 31. For more information about swine diseases or the existing US SHIP pilot program, visit the APHIS website.
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