NPPC Applauds Government Guidence Recognizing U.S. Agriculture as Critical Industry

Mar 23, 2020

This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus outbreak; U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries.

Specifically, DHS recognized as essential a variety of pork production roles. Among these critical workers:

Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging.
Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically.
Animal agriculture workers including those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce.

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Video: What is US SHIP? - Dr. Jeff Zimmerman

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jeff Zimmerman from Iowa State University explains how active participatory surveillance can transform disease detection and response across the swine industry. He highlights efficient sampling methods, cost considerations, and the role of US SHIP (Swine Health Improvement Plan) in ensuring business continuity during outbreaks. Learn what producers can do today to safeguard tomorrow. Listen now on all major platforms!