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

The Department of Agriculture Minnesota's MN Board of Animal Health Division is the recipient of a $102,763 Cooperative Agreement award from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The award will support the Board's efforts to safeguard animal health and protect Minnesota's livestock industry through a range of activities, including conducting disease surveillance, implementing animal identification and traceability programs, responding to disease outbreaks, and promoting biosecurity measures. These services contribute to the broader goal of protecting the nation's animal health and food supply. The award period is from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

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.