Haulers enlisted to fight pig virus

Cleaned trailers seen as essential

Thoroughly washing and drying the trucks and trailers used to transport pigs would make sense as a regular part of the routine for haulers.

As the outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus has alerted those in the industry, those steps that might seem routine, might not always be.

"PED virus has shown us a lot about where we have had weaknesses," Dr. Lisa Becton, veterinarian for the National Pork Board, said. "Where we thought we were OK as an industry, we weren't. As an industry we need to step up and do these things.

"Clean and dry is a really big deal."

Producers, haulers and others involved in the pork supply chain have been reminded of basic steps they should be taking because of the virus, which has killed millions of pigs. For the past year America's Pork Producers and other industry trade groups have been stressing a renewed commitment to the basics of biosecurity.

Earlier this year a resources section was added to Pork.org dealing specifically with PED. Transportation tips are featured along with strategies for farms, show pigs, and proper steps for dealing with manure. Tips for transportation are broken down into categories, including general biosecurity tips, packing plants, feed delivery and truck washes.

Among the steps for haulers recommended by the National Pork Board is a process known as "baking" of trailers. Maintaining a 160-degree temperature inside a trailer for 10 minutes "can help inactivate the virus after proper washing and disinfection," the National Pork Board said in a special report on PED included in the organization's summer 2014 magazine.

Within a year of the first case of the virus being identified on a farm in Iowa, the disease has spread to 30 states and killed 8 million pigs, or about 10 percent of the country's herd. Arkansas has avoided any cases of PED so far, but caution is still of the utmost importance, said Jerry Masters, executive vice president of the Arkansas Pork Producers.

"There's been a sense of urgency for several months," Masters said. "We're trying to constantly communicate with our growers how they need to be cautious."

Companies that haul feed in and out of pig farms also are being asked to be cautious. Because of the way the disease is transmitted, any fecal matter picked up at one farm and deposited at another farm could spread the disease.

Caution is being urged for everyone involved in the process with the exception of customers. PED is causing no safety issues for consumers, although it will potentially increase the price paid for pork in restaurants and grocery stores.

"There are other diseases we've learned to control and live with," Masters said. "This one, the good thing is, it does not effect consumers in terms of whether pork is still safe to eat. It's still safe."

Business on 06/26/2014

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