I’ve only been covering African swine fever (ASF) for three years, but I’ll be honest, it feels like it’s been a lot longer. I’ve had the privilege of listening to industry experts who have studied this disease for decades. The amount of research, time, energy and focus being spent on ASF is incredible. Still, we don’t know what the future holds.
When the news hit that ASF was discovered in the Western Hemisphere, my heart sank. It’s not that the threat wasn’t real and ominous as ASF ravaged the pig herd in China, but the distance provided a false sense of security at times.
As we get ready to close out a roller coaster of a year, there are a few pieces of advice I’ve recently heard I wanted to pass on as we launch into a new year of foreign animal disease preparedness and prevention.
Be Ready.
“It’s not predestined African swine fever (ASF) is going to get here, but we have to act like it will,” says Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
A plan is important, adds Iowa’s state veterinarian Jeff Kaisand. But planning is the priceless piece.
“We can’t predict everything that will happen in a foreign animal disease outbreak, but the more we can work ahead to lay some of those foundation blocks is critical,” Kaisand says.
Don’t Spread Rumors.
“If you hear a rumor, don’t pass it on,” Dierks says. The last thing we need is an false rumor mill suggesting an ASF outbreak in the U.S. He emphasized how important it is to wait for USDA to confirm information. Rumors can end up wasting resources we don’t need to waste now.
Get on Board.
“We can’t keep ASF out by ourselves. We’ve got to work together for a common good,” says Bob Thaler, professor and Extension swine specialist at South Dakota State University.
For example, pseudorabies was gone in 2004 after its eradication became a national priority. It took producers, veterinarians, producer groups and government officials coming together to make that happen, he says.
USDA’s announcement in September of a $500-million commitment to help prevent ASF was monumental – not only because that’s a lot of money, but because it’s to fight a disease we haven’t even had on U.S. soil yet. It shows how important this is to our entire country.
“It costs a lot of money to prevent a foreign animal disease outbreak, but it costs a whole lot more to respond to one,” says Andrew Bailey, NPPC science and technology legal counsel.
Focus on Biosecurity.
It’s one thing for ASF to get into the U.S. It’s another thing for it to get into a domestic or wild pig herd. The ultimate responsibility comes back on producers to manage what they can – to do everything possible to adhere to strict biosecurity protocols to protect their pigs.
In Farm Journal’s PORK’s 2022 pork outlook, economists agree the year ahead looks promising if we can keep ASF out of the U.S.
“Be prepared for disruption,” warns Christine McCracken, senior analyst animal protein at Rabobank. “There is a growing list of factors that could derail the industry, but with planning and risk management you can limit the severity of their impact on your operations. Part of the answer lies in the diversification of exports, but there also needs to be a relentless focus on biosecurity.”
Read more from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Rising from the Rubble: 2022 Pork Outlook
Responds to ASF Tabletop Exercise
Close All the Windows to Keep ASF Out
ASF in the Western Hemisphere: What’s Different 40 Years Later?
It’s Time to Batten Down the Hatches, Pork Industry Experts Say
Telemedicine and African Swine Fever: 5 Reasons to Take a Closer Look
