The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requests public comments on a proposal to establish an official program for safeguarding, improving, and representing the health status of U.S. pigs.
APHIS has piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) with industry aimed at certifying participating sites as monitored for African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF) since 2020.
APHIS announced its intent to propose a rule to build upon the pilot program and establish US SHIP as a national voluntary livestock improvement program.
Under the proposal, APHIS says it 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 wrote.
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 plan models the program on the successful National Poultry Improvement Plan, a voluntary collaborative effort among industry, state and federal partners to address and correct avian health and trade issues. A similar working system for the swine industry could be used to support the current and future health assurance needs of the 21st century U.S. pork industry, APHIS wrote.
Beginning on Jan. 31, APHIS will accept public comments at www.regulations.gov. All comments must be submitted on or before January 30, 2025.
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