
Dr. Anna Forseth, the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) director of animal health, recently addressed the fourth North American African Swine Fever (ASF) Forum held in Ottawa, Ontario. Her presentation highlighted the immense risks the U.S. pork industry faces should ASF be detected in North America. The forum brought attention to four critical areas: preparedness planning, enhanced biosecurity, business continuity, and coordinated risk communication.
NPPC’s Perspective:
The NPPC emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between government and industry leaders in preventing ASF and preparing for potential outbreaks. The forum builds on progress made since 2019 and explores future opportunities to bolster ASF prevention and response strategies across North America.
Why It Matters:
ASF has caused widespread damage across Central and Eastern Europe as well as parts of Asia. The disease reached the Western Hemisphere in 2021, with outbreaks confirmed in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. An ASF outbreak in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico would have devastating consequences for trade, particularly given that U.S. pork exports totaled nearly $8.2 billion last year.
Proactive efforts, such as the ASF forum, are vital in protecting the North American pork industry from the economic and operational impacts of ASF.
Stay tuned to Swine Web for more updates on ASF prevention and the ongoing efforts to protect the pork industry.