USDA has lifted an order that required sows from one Manitoba assembly yard to be certified free of Seneca Valley virus (Senecavirus A) before crossing the border.
In November, USDA confirmed Canada had met protocol conditions for Seneca Valley virus and lifted the health certificate requirement, Manitoba Pork general manager Cam Dahl said in AgCanada.com.
The U.S. started requiring a veterinary export certificate in September for sow exports due to a rise in Seneca Valley virus cases at U.S. packing plants. Since then, all sows from one assembly yard in Manitoba had to be inspected and signed off by a veterinarian before they could cross the border. AgCanada.com reports finding a veterinarian to come out regularly was a challenge due to biosecurity issues.
Although Seneca Valley virus does not have serious health implications, its symptoms are similar to foot-and-mouth disease. Learn more from the Swine Health Information Center’s Fact Sheet here.
Animals with Seneca Valley symptoms trigger an investigation in U.S. meat-packing plants, which is what led to the certification requirement, the article said.
Last summer, the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service halted shipments from two Manitoba assembly yards for a week due to Seneca Valley virus, the article said.
