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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $129,869 Cooperative Agreement to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.025). This award supports APHIS' Swine Health Program, which protects the health and improves the quality, productivity, and economic viability of the U.S. swine industry valued at approximately $29 billion. The program facilitates trade in swine and pork products, addresses swine health issues at the human-swine interface and between wildlife and domestic swine, and maintains regulatory guidelines that support interstate and international commerce. The award to IDALS, a state government agency, will fund comprehensive and integrated swine surveillance, emergency preparedness and response planning, disease investigation and control activities, zoonotic disease prevention and response, and other collaborative efforts to prevent and mitigate the spread of agricultural pests and diseases that impact the swine industry.

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.