Aphis' swine health program protects the health and improves the quality, productivity, and economic viability of the swine industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $125,951 Cooperative Agreement to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) on April 1, 2024. This award under CFDA Program 10.025 "Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care" supports IDALS' comprehensive and integrated swine surveillance, emergency preparedness and response planning, disease investigation and control, zoonotic disease prevention, and outreach activities to protect the health and economic viability of the U.S. swine industry, which had a $29 billion production value in 2021. Through this funding, IDALS will collaborate with federal, state, and industry stakeholders to maintain national standards that facilitate interstate and international trade in swine and pork products. The award also supports USDA's goal of maximizing the prosperity of American agricultural producers.

The 2021 production value of the swine industry was approximately $29 billion (national agricultural statistics service). In addition, the program facilitates trade in swine and pork products, and addresses swine health issues at the human-swine interface and between wildlife and domestic swine. Aphis activities include comprehensive and integrated swine surveillance, emergency preparedness and response planning, disease investigation and control activities, zoonotic disease prevention and response, swine health studies and special projects, collaborations on emerging issues, and outreach and communication with stakeholders. In addition, the agency maintains regulatory and programmatic guidelines that direct activities at the federal, state, and tribal levels. Establishing and maintaining national standards support interstate and international commerce by ensuring the health of animals and products being moved or traded. This program supports USDA's goal to maximize the ability of american agricultural producers to prosper by feeding and clothing the world by preventing and/or mitigating the spread of agricultural pests and diseases.