The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on plans to establish a federal swine health improvement plan.

APHIS has piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) to certify participating sites as monitored for African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF) since 2020.

The proposed rule would build upon the pilot program and establish a national voluntary livestock program, according to APHIS.

Under the proposal, APHIS would create sectors for various types of swine herds and production facilities centered on production methods and disease risk.

Participating sites would be able to obtain certifications of disease-monitored status for ASF and CSF. These sites would be able to market their products with the relevant certification status, which could limit disruptions to international and interstate commerce in the event of animal disease outbreaks.

APHIS would establish a general conference committee composed of swine producers and other industry and state animal health participants to advise APHIS on matters of swine health and disease management.

According to the agency press release, APHIS plans to model the program on the successful National Poultry Improvement Plan, a voluntary collaborative effort among industry, state, and federal partners to address and correct avian health and trade issues. “A similar working system for the swine industry will support the current and future health assurance needs of the 21st century U.S. pork industry,” APHIS stated in the press release.

All public comments must be submitted on or before Jan. 30.

“The National Pork Producers Council supports the proposed rule to establish the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) as a Federal Regulatory Program,” the council told the Capital Press. “The poultry industry has experienced extreme value in recent years from the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which SHIP is modeled after. With the threats of African swine fever, classical swine fever, or foot and mouth disease detection closing U.S. pork export markets, valued at nearly $8.2 billion in 2023, it is in our best interest to support the codification and continued development of this program.”