USDA officials say they have little current authority or money for disaster aid for pork producers hit by the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow had requested disaster assistance for producers hit by the virus. Iowa Pork Producers President Jamie Schmidt of Garner says while disaster aid could provide some help it wouldn’t be enough to overcome effects from the disease which now totals around 115,000 cases in Iowa.
Schmidt says the most important step that can be taken is to provide more money for research into finding a vaccine for the virus.
He says it doesn’t take a lot for the virus to spread quickly and trying to control it is a monumental task.
Schmidt says even though conditions are warming up, dust is now in the air and it’s easy for the virus to attach itself to dust particles so producers still need to be vigilant. Biosecurity remains the best defense against PED virus.
