The U.S. pork industry announced Tuesday that it has aligned its efforts to reduce the risks from foreign animal disease and has formed the National Swine Disease Council to protect animal and public health.
 
The council is comprised of key industry leaders from six distinct areas of swine science expertise. NSDC leadership includes representatives from the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council, the North American Meat Institute, the Swine Health Information Center, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as state animal health officials. 

“The biggest risk we face is any foreign animal disease entering the U.S.,” says Paul Sundberg, executive director, SHIC. “As an industry, we have decades of response experience and are well prepared for any number of swine-specific diseases, however a new or emerging disease can threaten animal health and welfare, as well as public health. While it is virtually impossible to prevent every disease from entering the U.S., the formation of this council will allow us to respond even more quickly thereby mitigating risk to herd health through fast action and response.”