USDA Plans to Launch National Voluntary Livestock Improvement Program.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Monday plans to establish a national voluntary livestock improvement program, with plans to launch a public-comment period starting Dec. 31 and running through the end of January.

USDA said in a news release that the program would be designed to safeguard, improve and represent the "health status" of U.S. pigs.

Starting in 2020, APHIS and the industry piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan aimed at certifying participating sites as monitored for African swine fever and classical swine fever.

"APHIS is proposing a rule to build upon the pilot program and establish US SHIP as a national voluntary livestock improvement program," the agency said on Monday.

Under the proposal, APHIS would create sectors for various types of swine herds and production facilities centered on production methods and disease risk.

Participating hog production sites would be able to obtain certifications of disease-monitored status for African swine fever and classical swine fever.

"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 in a news release.

As part of US SHIP, APHIS would establish a general conference committee of swine producers and other industry and state animal health participants to advise APHIS on matters of swine health and disease management.

"APHIS plans to model 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," the agency said.

"A similar working system for the swine industry will support the current and future health assurance needs of the 21st century U.S. pork industry."

Source - https://www.dtnpf.com