USDA to require reporting of swine viruses

The USDA will require reporting of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Swine Delta Coronavirus to slow the spread of the diseases.

USDA is acting because of the devastating effect PEDV has had on the swine industry, said ag secretary Tom Vilsack.

PEDV and SDCV only affect pigs, pose no risk to people and aren't a food safety concern.

"USDA has been working closely with the pork industry and our state and federal partners to solve this problem," Vilsack said in his statement.

USDA also will require tracking movements of pigs, vehicles and other equipment leaving affected premises; however, movements would still be allowed.

USDA is working with industry partners to increase assistance to producers who have experienced PEDV outbreaks in disease surveillance, herd monitoring and epidemiological and technical support.

What the USDA announcement means for pork producers has yet to be detailed, said Dave Pyburn, a veterinarian and assistant vice president of science and technology with the National Pork Board in Des Moines.

"There has simply been an announcement that reporting will be required and that USDA wants equipment, vehicles and pigs tracked on and off affected farms," Pyburn said. "We don't know the details. We have not seen the plan so we don't know what it means. We have told USDA that whatever plan they come up with for reporting and tracking, they need to do it in a practical way that does not impede normal commerce and the actions of moving pigs on and off facilities. We want to make sure the plan is not overly onerous for producers and veterinarians."

Pyburn said USDA could have a plan in place within a couple of weeks.

"The good side of that is that we don't have to sit and wonder what is going to happen, but when you put together something quickly you want to make sure you've thought through all the details," Pyburn said.

As soon as National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council officials learn about USDA's plans, they will communicate them to producers, Pyburn said.

The pork industry needs to know how PEDV, its variant INDEL PEDV, and SDCV got into the country, what the pathway is and how to close it, Pyburn said.

"It looks like there are three different viruses that were introduced around the same time," Pyburn said. "Three viruses that weren't here a little more than a year ago found their way into the country. These viruses are bad, but there are worse viruses that could come through that same pathway unless we shut it up. USDA can help with that."

The National Animal Health Laboratory Network reported April 16 that 5,790 positive cases of PEDV have been reported by veterinary diagnostic labs. The virus is in at least 29 states. Fifty positive SDCV cases have been reported. There have been 1,793 positive PEDV cases in Iowa and 936 in Minnesota. Seven SDCV cases have been reported in Iowa and 13 in Minnesota.

Vilsack said USDA's Farm Loan Programs are working with producers to provide credit options, including loan restructuring, similar to how the Farm Service Agency successfully worked with livestock producers affected by the blizzard in South Dakota. In the case of guaranteed loans, USDA is encouraging guaranteed lenders to use all flexibility available under existing guarantees and to use new guarantees where appropriate to continue financing their regular customers.

Pyburn said the National Pork Board committed more than $1 million in supplemental funds for PEDV research in 2013. This year, $650,000 in supplemental funds will provide additional research.

A question-and-answer sheet on USDA's reporting requirement is available at aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2014/faq_ped_reporting.pdf. A summary of USDA actions to date is available at usda.gov/documents/pedv-summary-actions.pdf.