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USDA News
APHIS Proposes Voluntary Trichinae Certification
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to establish a voluntary trichinae certification program for U.S. pork.
The proposed program would ensure standardized protocols and offer certification for international markets since the Trichinella spiralis protection is in place at U.S. facilities without testing every animal and product. Due to significant improvements in farm management practices, biosecurity and farm hygiene. Trichinella spiralis is rare and is not part of a required testing program in the United States. However, the European Union and other international markets require testing for all imports of fresh pork and fresh pork products.
Under the proposed program, APHIS would certify pork production sites that follow good production practices to reduce, eliminate or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to Trichinella spiralis. Good production practices include feed integrity (such as source of feed and feed storage), facility construction and facility condition as it pertains to biosecurity.
The proposed program will enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products. The program was developed as a cooperative effort by USDA, the National Pork Board and the pork processing industry. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before July 16.
For additional information on submitting comments, go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/05/trichpro.shtml.
USDA News
APHIS Proposes Voluntary Trichinae Certification
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to establish a voluntary trichinae certification program for U.S. pork.
The proposed program would ensure standardized protocols and offer certification for international markets since the Trichinella spiralis protection is in place at U.S. facilities without testing every animal and product. Due to significant improvements in farm management practices, biosecurity and farm hygiene. Trichinella spiralis is rare and is not part of a required testing program in the United States. However, the European Union and other international markets require testing for all imports of fresh pork and fresh pork products.
Under the proposed program, APHIS would certify pork production sites that follow good production practices to reduce, eliminate or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to Trichinella spiralis. Good production practices include feed integrity (such as source of feed and feed storage), facility construction and facility condition as it pertains to biosecurity.
The proposed program will enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products. The program was developed as a cooperative effort by USDA, the National Pork Board and the pork processing industry. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before July 16.
For additional information on submitting comments, go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/05/trichpro.shtml.