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Animal
Health and Welfare
The health
and welfare of animals is a key concern of pork producers.
NPPC advocates science-based approaches to swine health and
production. Healthy animals whose welfare is carefully respected
result in safe, wholesome, high quality pork products. Federal
laws govern animal health and humane treatment of animals.
Gestation
Stalls for Pregnant Sows
Foot-and-Mouth
Disease
Biosecurity
NPPC
Animal Health and Food Security Links
Antimicrobials
Resources
Gestation
Stalls for Pregnant Sows
Scientific facts on usage
of gestation stalls for housing pregnant sows
Gestation Sow Housing Options Abound (National Hog Farmer Article)
Foot-and-Mouth
Disease
Background
Information:
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly infectious animal
disease caused by a virus that affects cloven-hooved animals,
such as sheep pigs and cattle. It is not a risk to human health
or food safety. Concerns about FMD in the U.S. are economic
in nature, since the disease can have a devastating effect
on animal herds and production.
FMD is
not new; it has affected many countries in the world, with
the most recent outbreaks in Europe and South America. The
last time the United States had animals with FMD was in 1929,
thanks in all large part to government and industry vigilance.
In the spring of 2001, the government prohibited import of
all animals and animal products ands used farm equipment from
high-risk countries.
FMD is
unrelated to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), known
as Mad Cow Disease. There has never been a case of Mad Cow
Disease in the United States.
FMD can
easily spread from one livestock animal to another. FMD can
also be carried on shoes and clothing of people visiting an
affected farm, and by vehicles and farm equipment. In order
to prevent other animals from contracting FMD, travel is restricted
around areas where FMD has been found.
For More
Information:
Additional
Websites With Information Concerning FMD:
Biosecurity
The biosecurity
of the U.S. swine herd is a top priority for U.S. pork producers.
At a time when Foot-and-Mouth Disease has ravaged other countries
around the world, it continues to be of utmost concern to
pork producers to monitor foreign animal diseases and maintain
a safe food supply for American consumers. NPPC acknowledges
and appreciates the critical role the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
and U.S. Customs Service have played in keeping Foot-and-Mouth
Disease out of this country since 1929. Our industry will
continue to remain committed to this partnership to keep this
record intact.
National
Pork Board's On Farm Pork Safety
NPPC
Animal Health and Food Security Links
These
links have been established as useful sources of information
on a number of areas related to animal health and food security.
Antimicrobials
Internet
links to information on the use of antimicrobials in livestock
production.
Resources
Premises Registration Interactive Map
USDA
National Animal Identification System Website
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