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Response Planning: Swine Industry Programs, SHIP, RABapp, SHM, CSSC, and SPS

This document reviews swine industry programs and certifications that can aid pig farms in preparation for disease response and build the local response infrastructure.

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Updated:

July 18, 2024

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Swine, Photo Credit: MIke Houtz , Penn State

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There is a need for knowledgeable human infrastructure for the swine industry, particularly in response to foreign animal disease or animal disease outbreaks, to safeguard Pennsylvania's swine industry and food supply.

Most individuals seek to respond to such a crisis when they are most likely to be impacted by it. Penn State Extension supports outbreak preparation through education on new programs and certifications for Pennsylvania's agricultural community. These programs, launched by the swine industry, focus on preparation before and in response to high-consequence animal disease outbreaks. Effective response relies on local resources and preparedness, with knowledge of response mechanisms crucial for disease containment.

This document will overview swine industry programs and certifications that can aid pig farms in preparation for disease response and build the local infrastructure. When any outbreaks arise, the limited daily workforce is stretched thin, and resources become limited. A broad infrastructure of human knowledge can help prevent outbreaks, prevent or minimize disease spread, and preserve agricultural activities, particularly local economic and food supply activities.

Local response is critical to support your pig farm, and your neighbors:

Local resources are vital for disease response, with the local agricultural community playing a key role in providing information and facilitating communication. Local infrastructure, including those in agriculture and community services, can build support groups to protect local pig farms. This local community is not just farms and farmers, but also feed, seed, or pharmaceutical salespeople; the local 4H community; local fire and police, and of course, local Extension educators. Building that local support group requires some background knowledge and bringing together local pig farms to work together and protect their markets. Pig health-focused programs like the Secure Pork Supply program and the Swine Health Improvement Plan equip pig farmers and their communities with tools for outbreak preparedness, enhancing local resources, and strengthening responses to high-consequence animal diseases. These programs, targeting a variety of stakeholders, foster participation from feed mills to pet pig owners. The ultimate goal is disease prevention, with everyone owning a pig contributing to surveillance efforts.

The Secure Pork Supply (SPS) program

A key initiative in Pennsylvania, this program is designed to ensure business continuity during high-consequence animal disease outbreaks. The Secure Pork Supply Plan (SPS) involves an advanced biosecurity plan aiding in animal traceability and foreign disease awareness. Participants in the SPS program, including all pig farmers, develop an enhanced biosecurity plan, participate in traceability efforts, and increase disease awareness. This facilitates effective communication with state officials during outbreaks. The program benefits all by reducing the time to return to normal activities, like selling and showing hogs, by emphasizing biosecurity to reduce disease spread. Information about SPS is available online and through Penn State Extension. Additional resources assist producers in understanding the program and creating an SPS plan. Hard-copy guides are also available for those with limited internet access. Producers are advised to enact their SPS plan immediately, as diseases can emerge without warning. Advocacy within local communities is encouraged.

Rapid Access Biosecurity application (RABapp)

This program is designed to standardize Secure Pork Supply biosecurity plans. Developed by Dr. Gustavo Machado from North Carolina State, the RABapp aims to create visual maps of biosecurity infrastructure, expedite outbreak responses, and harmonize response and recovery strategies. The program is used by 14 state animal health officials, including those in Pennsylvania.

The Secure Pork Supply Program focuses on creating individual biosecurity and response plans tailored to each farm’s unique challenges. The RABapp helps standardize these plans, making it easier for state animal health officials to review them and respond more quickly during an outbreak.

In Pennsylvania, all producers are expected to submit their Secure Pork Supply Plan through the RABapp. To participate, producers must first build their Secure Pork Supply Plan, and then submit it through the RABapp. Access to the RABapp program is facilitated through private companies working with the Machado lab at North Carolina State, or by reaching out to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Swine Health Monitoring Program (SHMP)

Also known as the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Program, the Swine Health Monitor (SHM) was developed based on a 2015 study by the late Dr. Bob Morrison. The study focused on the spread of PEDv, PRRS, and Seneca Valley Virus across Iowa and Minnesota. The SHMP aims to improve understanding of disease movement and its impact on the swine industry.

State-certified volunteers from various sectors monitor potential pathogen spread and facilitate communication between animal events and veterinarians. The program is designed for volunteers from various sectors, including 4H programs, industry, animal health officials, Extension, feed mills, feed sales, and veterinary support. The program aims to share information, monitor pig health, and facilitate commerce and recreation of pigs. The program, which originated in Minnesota and Iowa, is supported by various organizations including the Swine Health Information Center, Pork Checkoff, the National Pork Board, the USDA, AASV, and the National Pork Producers Council. Pennsylvania began participating in the program in 2021. Training is available through Penn State Extension.

The Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)

The Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) is a national program designed to enhance swine health and ensure access to domestic and global markets. Modeled after the National Poultry Improvement Plan, SHIP addresses major swine health issues systematically. It involves stakeholders like producers, veterinarians, diagnosticians, and microbiologists. Administered by state animal health officials, it's implemented by certified producers and packers on their farms. SHIP aims to develop certification programs for African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever, mitigate disease risk, and support commerce, especially during disease outbreaks. In essence, SHIP is a proactive measure to safeguard animal health and ensure the continued success of the pork industry, following the model of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Pennsylvania actively participates in SHIP, aligning its aims with programs like Secure Pork Supply to enhance prevention, response, and recovery from diseases. Participation costs relate to meeting certification requirements, with additional costs for farm improvements if needed. Pig operations interested in participating should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture or reach out to your local Farm Bureau chapter or the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council for more information.

The Certified Swine Sample Collector (CSSC) Program

This program aims to enhance surveillance of animal health during foreign animal disease outbreaks. It trains producers, caretakers, and state-certified collectors to collect and submit samples for diagnostic and surveillance testing. Open to anyone knowledgeable in pig production and animal health, it offers certification transferable across state lines. The program aims to build swine disease response infrastructure, with advocacy for local resources being crucial. This program is still under review with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, stay alert to announcements for CSSC to know when this training is available.

The recent challenges with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) highlight the need for local infrastructure. Pennsylvania’s swine industry is a mighty, but not large, community of people. Local infrastructure will be critical to support your pig neighbors in a disease outbreak. More details on programs discussed in this fact sheet can be found in the resources below. Share this with your local agricultural community and local pig farms.