The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to establish a voluntary livestock improvement program for the swine industry.
The program will build on the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan pilot program rolled out in 2020 to certify sites as monitored for African swine fever and classical swine fever. The new proposal would create sectors for swine herds and production facilities centered on production methods and disease risk. Participating sites would then be eligible to obtain certifications of disease-monitored status for the swine fevers.
“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 said.
A public comment period will run through Jan. 30. Comments can be submitted at tinyurl.com/mcuh7zse.
