What if a new virus comes to your farm?

Porcine epidemic disease virus (PEDV) is spreading throughout the United States, albeit at a reduced rate. It appears it will be contained, but we're still lacking an effective vaccine!

Porcine epidemic disease virus (PEDV) is spreading throughout the United States, albeit at a reduced rate. It appears it will be contained, but we're still lacking an effective vaccine!

Reports from the field indicate high mortality in young pigs, which will probably affect pork supply down the line. We're keeping an eye on the situation, so keep checking www.WATTAgNet.com for updates.

One of the most important issues is to identify how PEDV entered the US production system; a system previously naive to this virus. Should we blame the usual suspects like globalization, negligence, chance, or is this an indication of insufficient state veterinary supervision? I believe there is an ongoing investigation and hopefully lessons learned will help protect pig herds from the next disease.

Containing pig diseases

Pig diseases with devastating effects are rampant in several regions. For example, in Europe many countries neighboring Russia are watching the spread of African swine fever. This disease has become a perennial problem in Russia with new cases appearing constantly. Again, why is this disease still around after so long? Some insiders suggest it remains unchecked to control pork prices, but truly, we are still looking for credible explanations.

So, is this the ugly side of globalization? On the one hand, we have lower feed prices from imported cereals and soybeans, and an expanded marketplace for pork. But, in balance it appears, we get the possibility for any "alien" virus to come in and totally wipe out an entire farm, or at least most of it. 

Memories of piles of dead pigs euthanized to contain foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain are still fresh in our minds. And, these were not just the sick pigs, but also healthy pigs, which happened to live near infected farms!

I have recently talked to some pig producers about this eventuality (that is, all pigs gone in a few days due to a highly lethal disease) and I asked them about their insurance plans. I was told this case was under "natural disasters" and is not covered by their insurance company (I am sure this is not the norm elsewhere, but it happens). 

I cannot imagine how any state official can worry about whether pigs live in an "enriched environment" with ropes, toys and balloons, while paying very little attention in protecting the livelihood of the farmers who raise these pigs for us all to feed our children! 

Where is the balance?

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