USDA’s priority is to keep African Swine Fever out of the country, but plans have been announced regarding preparations for the disease if it would be found. USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach made that announcement at the National Pork Industry Forum. “We will take steps immediately to have the (Agriculture) Secretary declare an extraordinary emergency so we can manage it as a nation rather than state-by-state.” Swine movement will be shut down for a minimum of 72 hours if ASF was found. Other preparation procedures were also announced, but Ibach remains confident the U.S. can prevent ASF from entering the country. “We’ve had success keeping foot and mouth disease out of the United States for nearly 100 years now with a lot less focus on the rigor that we have in place with those protocols than we have today.” Progress has been made on the development of a vaccine for ASF, but Ibach said that is still two or more years away from happening.
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