The government is stepping in to help stop two major problems for the pork industry. Now, producers will be required to report cases of the disease to federal or state authorities.
In a step to prevent the spread of Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, the USDA has issued a federal order requiring reporting of the virus to state or federal authorities. While the PEDv does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, it is causing a tremendous hardship for American pork producers. It has killed 7 million piglets. The reporting requirements also stand for porcine deltacoronavirus.
In addition to the new requirements, the USDA also announces $26.2 million in funding to help fight the diseases, with nearly half going to help producers with biosecurity measures to protect their herds.
The industry is already seeing herds previously impacted by the virus become re-infected. The USDA says routine and standard disease reporting will help identify the magnitude of the disease in the United States and can help determine whether additional actions are needed.
The number of market-ready hogs this summer could fall by more than 10 percent compared to last year due to PEDv. Pork prices to consumers have risen by almost 10 percent in the last year, as pork supplies continue to decrease.
For more, see USDA Announces Funding, Issues Federal Order to Combat PEDv. →