Poland is hiring additional veterinarians
Bogdan Konopka, Poland's Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed that the process of hiring veterinarians for the companies that are allowed to export pork in the US market is underway.
At the beginning of April, a letter from the American side was received by the Main Veterinary Inspectorate, in which more than 50 additional veterinarians were required to be employed, informs Polish magazine Farmer.
Supplementary inspectors are necessary to eliminate the risk of transmission of African swine fever virus (ASF) in the USA.
"A visit to Poland of the American side is planned from July 15. As part of the supervision, the Americans wished that in the plant it was a veterinary inspector, employed full-time. There are 62 jobs required, as I remember correctly. The money is mobilized and from July 1 these people will be employed, as confirmed by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture", explained Konopka.
ASF fear is so high in the US that the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has canceled the World Pork Expo 2019. "The health of the US swine herd is paramount; the livelihoods of our producers depend on it. Prevention is our only defense against ASF", declared David Herring, NPPC president, in a media statement.
Also, since last month the US Department of Agriculture has added ASF tests to its classical swine fever surveillance plan. Poland has been hit by multiple ASF outbreaks in the last 5 years but the Government has managed to convince the American part to accept pork imports from farms located in regions that are free of disease. In 2017, 13% of Poland's pork exports, in terms of value, have been directed to the American market.
(Photo source: Pig Advocates)
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