The Twin Cities hosted the Swine Health Improvement Program Conference this past week. Minnesota Board of Animal Health Assistant Director Erik Jopp says the goal of the SHIP program is to expedite the opening of markets if a foreign animal disease is confirmed in the United States. “It’s a voluntary program, and there are a few steps to getting enrolled and certified, mainly getting your site certified, getting the premise ID number, as well as having a secure pork supply plan in place, as well as movement records in a digital fashion that can be shared with the programs.” SHIP is going through the rule-making process and will eventually be codified by the USDA.
