PED Virus Prompts Mexico to Ban U.S. Hogs
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Mexico announced earlier this week that it is banning live pigs from the United States following an outbreak of the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus that has been affecting a number of U.S. hog farmers.
The ban is only for live pigs and does not include U.S. pork products. In 2012, the U.S. exported about 55,000 head of live pigs to Mexico. Exports are important for U.S. producers who sell breeding stock and swine genetics to Mexico, but the ban doesn’t have a real impact on U.S. market hogs sales.
Mexican officials are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to measure the PED virus. The PED virus is not a mandatory reportable disease under the World Organization for Animal Health.
Mexico has requested the following:
• Requested a list from the USDA on its mitigation strategies;
• Asked for enhanced monitoring of U.S. hog farmers with high pig mortality;
• Pigs imported prior to May 17 be quarantined;
• Inspecting locations where U.S. pigs were brought into Mexico during the last three months
To date, Mexico hasn’t reported any PED cases.