The American Association of Swine Veterinarians, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and Swine Health Information Center are seeking proposals that identify the gaps in US pork industry national biosecurity that could potentially allow the entry and domestic dissemination of foreign diseases. This work will prioritise those gaps based on their potential to result in the introduction and spread of swine diseases. The final report will be shared with state and federal animal health officials, veterinarians, pork producers and allied industries so widespread action can be taken to address the priortised gaps.

Potential research categories include foreign imports, entry of foreign travellers, animal transportation, common production inputs and domestic market channels. Examples of national biosecurity issues within these categories could include the safety of imported feed components and other common production inputs. The movement of trucks and animals between production phases and to markets should also be considered. Approved movements between markets of market sows, activity of and potential commercial pig interaction with feral pigs, legal feeding of plate waste containing meat and other factors should be considered when pursuing the project. It will be the responsibility of the successful proposal to define the specific issues to include.

Resources for proposals and instructions for submission to the National Pork Board can be found here. The deadline for submitting the written proposals for initial review is 5:00 PM CST, April 14, 2020. Submitters whose proposals are selected for final review will be required to present the proposal and answer questions via a webinar with pork industry reviewers. For questions, contact either Dr Dave Pyburn, [email protected] or Dr Paul Sundberg, [email protected].