Secure Pork Supply Plan: Everyone Needs One

Over the past year, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) has been participating in African Swine Fever (ASF) exercises. Preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak is crucial in making sure our farmers can continue to operate and market their animals. Now is the time for all Nebraska pork producers to work on their own Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan.

Regardless of size of farm or number of animals you have, you should start putting your plan together now. Full-time farms, hobby farms, show pig farms and every other type of swine production facility in Nebraska need to be prepared. Going forward, NPPA will continue to communicate the importance to our farmers of having a SPS plan in place. NPPA will also offer resources and training opportunities to assist in this SPS plan preparation. People are encouraged to contact the NPPA office with any questions they may have.

Secure Pork Supply Information

If foot and mouth disease (FMD), classical swine fever (CSF) or African swine fever (ASF) is confirmed in the United States, movement restrictions for susceptible livestock will be put into place by regulatory officials (local, state, tribal and federal officials, as appropriate). The restrictions are designed to control the spread of these highly contagious animal diseases by animals, animal products, vehicles and other equipment. Officials will set up regulatory control areas (areas where premises are quarantined and movement is restricted) around infected premises and movement of livestock will only be allowed by permits. For a permit to be issued, regulatory officials will require premises to demonstrate certain criteria that reduce the risk of disease spread from the movement. Permitting guidance can be found in the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan for continuity of business. The SPS plan provides opportunities to voluntarily prepare before a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. This will better position pork premises with animals that have no evidence of infection during the outbreak to move animals to processing or another pork production premises under a movement permit. FMD, CSF and ASF are not public health or food safety concerns. Meat will remain safe to eat.

Why are FMD, CSF and ASF the diseases included in the SPS plan?

FMD, CSF and ASF are all very contagious animal diseases that will severely limit trade with other countries if detected in the United States.