WASHINGTON, D.C. – USDA announced Dec. 31 that it would formalize a pilot program established to document that swine farms and operations are free from African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF).

The program is known as US SHIP – the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Program. Participants who meet the program’s demands are allowed to sell animals and products with the official US SHIP emblem. For buyers, the emblem serves as a critical mark indicating that a farm’s operations adhere to prescriptive safety and health practices.

Currently, neither disease is known to occur in the United States. USDA warns, though, that “introduction of either disease would result in significant disruptions to domestic and international trade.”

Many swine farmers are likely familiar with SHIP; the pilot started in 2020 and now operated in 36 states. USDA’s move is being established through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Once finalized, SHIP’s requirements for membership, and the demands of membership, will be set as regulations. SHIP will remain voluntary, but joining SHIP means that farms and swine operators have agreed to maintain operations, and document herd health, within federally prescribed rules.

In its December Federal Register Notice USDA writes that “the swine industry has requested the establishment of US SHIP,” adding that the pilot program itself was initiated by the swine industry.

Federal, state and industry officials will work as partners to administer the program. Participants will need to meet biosecurity, traceability and testing requirements. The scope of the program could expand as it builds out. 

State agencies will administer the program in each state by enrolling participants and conferring certification based on requirements such as disease testing and site biosecurity practices specific to each site type. Site type references differing operations such as boar stud facilities, growing pig facilities and slaughtering facilities.

SHIP will have traceability provisions and it will establish a General Conference Committee (GCC) composed of swine producers and other industry and state animal health participants. It will act as a liaison with USDA officials. 

Another central proposal within SHIP is to establish a House of Delegates, again, a carry-over from the pilot. The delegates, to be selected by the state agencies, will meet annually. Once the SHIP regulations are codified, delegates will elect GCC members. The GCC will become a formal federal advisory committee.

Delegates would come from six designated regions. Three Midwest states – Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky – would be in the North Atlantic region. Indiana and Illinois would be in East Central. Tennessee would be in the South Central region

Ohio and Illinois are among the 36 states participating in the pilot program. 

Cheryl Day is executive vice president at the Ohio Pork Council (OPC). She commented on hard work among all industry stakeholders to transform the pilot into a permanent and national program.

“Our producers have been involved from the very beginning,” Day said, “helping to shape it into what it is today and ensuring that all parts of our industry are engaged and participating to safeguard the entire national herd and everyone’s livelihoods.”

Day specifically noted the “integration and understanding between the commercial and show pig parts of our industry.” She said OPC was pleased to see USDA’s December Notice, a move that will “bring us that much closer to having a fully functional and official nationwide program in 2025.”

Jennifer Tirey, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers, echoed Day’s support.

“Yes,” Tirey said, “we endorse the national roll-out and the pilot is progressing nicely with producer and state vet feedback. Illinois has had producers participate the last three years in the House of Delegates’ meetings and several of our producers sit on US SHIP committees.”

She added that the pilot provided a streamlined platform the state’s veterinarians and producers to communicate on animal health issues. “At the end of the day,” Tirey commented, “protecting the health of our herds is priority one and US SHIP helps our industry do that.”

USDA’s December Notice is a proposed rule and, as such, is open for public comment, until Jan. 30. To make comments, either overall support or opposition, or to comment on any of the specific testing and record-keeping or proposed definitions and terminology, send comments to USDA via the www.regulations.gov website. Use the following search/identification terms: USDA. US Swine Health Improvement Plan. Docket No. APHIS-2022-0061.