COLUMBUS, Neb. (RFD-TV)—Protecting the global food supply starts with keeping disease out of herds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) is working to do just that.
“To help with trade partners, [and] help with some interstate commerce,” explained swine veterinarian Dr. Christine Mainquist-Whigham. “The tenants around it were biosecurity, traceability, and sampling and testing, so fairly standard processes, but just helping to build confidence for freedom from disease and the food supply that we’re hopefully being able to export.”
The program is not just for pork producers. It brings together packers, state veterinarians, and USDA reps to set national standards and guide policy.
“They discuss issues that are important to us and help pass program standards and program resolutions to guide this program,” Mainquist-Whigham continued. So, not only producers, but also packers will be present. We’ll have state representatives, the official state agents, and state veterinarians, as well as our USDA representatives. It’s a really unique format where you’ve got multi-disciplines coming together toward one common goal.”
Mainquist-Whigham noted that industry-wide participation enhances biosecurity and fosters global trust in U.S. pork.
U.S. Pork Exports Perform Well Overseas
The National Pork Board said strong global demand remains a bright spot for American farmers.
“$4.79 billion through July in U.S. pork exports to our global markets, and really see a strong demand pull from our partners in Central America, in northern South America, so thinking Mexico, Colombia, and really all those Central American customers continue to come into the marketplace and show robust demand for U.S. pork.”
Stability in export demand provides reassurance for producers. For now, the consistent support from international markets underscores the strong reputation of U.S. pork.
“We’re still seeing really, really strong demand for U.S. pork year over year. We are slightly below where we were in 2024 -- but we’ve got to remember 2024 was a record year for U.S. pork exports, and so really strong demand,” xxx said. “I think that’s the surprise, just the value that those global customers continue to see in U.S. pork.”
The National Pork Board reports that last year, nearly 30 percent of the overall domestic pork production was exported to international trade partners.
