USDA officials are discussing the possibility of having rules to require reporting of PED Virus outbreaks with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians to improve tracking of the disease. National Pork Producers President Dr. Howard Hill, an Iowa Veterinarian says trying to track PED virus has been a tough task.
Hill says another problem is that when disease samples are sent to a lab, not every producer or veterinarian includes a premise i-d on their submission. Hill is wondering if USDA is considering making PED virus a reportable disease.
Hill says NPPC, Pork Board, USDA and The Swine Vets Association are trying to look at non foreign animal disease issues that attack their industry causing millions of dollars of losses. He says there needs to be better cooperation and assigning of responsibilities to each group so the proper response is made.
