SHIC’s USDA FAS Grant-Funded ASF Seminars in Vietnam Begin

Apr 15, 2021

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), with support from the National Pork Producers Council, obtained a USDA Foreign Ag Service grant to fund workshops on African swine fever (ASF) in Vietnam. Now underway, the workshops are conducted for SHIC by the University of Minnesota's (UMN's) Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) via ProgRESSVet. CAHFS is a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) collaborating center for capacity building on OIE Advanced Competencies. ProgRESSVet has been active in countries around the world where each offering is adapted to the needs of the targeted country. ProgRESSVet Vietnam is a partnership between the USDA, SHIC, and the Vietnamese Department of Animal Health (DAH), facilitated by UMN CAHFS. The goal of the workshops in Vietnam is helping the DAH workforce acquire knowledge and develop skills on OIE Advanced Competencies with a focus on the prevention and control of ASF.

ProgRESSVet is an innovative eLearning initiative with the goal of increasing the capacity of veterinary services. The primary objective of ProgRESSVet is to create and implement a training program, delivered predominantly online, to enhance the capabilities of human resources of veterinary services. The program is based upon OIE's Advanced Competencies for veterinary service professionals and seeks to enhance both the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice in veterinary services.

ProgRESSVet Vietnam Workshop 1 is completed. The objective of the workshop was to provide understanding of the context and objectives of the program for the Vietnamese participants, including an initial exposure to the program content. E-Books are an essential element of the program. During a three- to six-month period, participants will review at their own pace materials for the training provided to them in the Vietnamese language. Topics include:

ASF impact
Introduction to biosecurity and control strategies
Introduction to risk analysis
Design of a biosecurity plan
Key components of outbreak response
Role of official veterinarians
Structure and organization of veterinary services
Disease control program goals
Veterinary services and the organization of plans to control ASF

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Video: CEOs of the Industry, A Conversation with Daniel Rivest, President & CEO, Olymel

Swine Web’s CEOs of the Industry series welcomes Daniel Rivest, President & CEO of Olymel, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, the future of Canadian pork, and the opportunities ahead for one of North America’s largest pork and poultry processors.

Rivest discusses his journey to the CEO role, his leadership philosophy, and his early priorities at Olymel. The conversation explores the company’s strategic direction, its relationships with producers, and how Olymel is positioning itself for long-term growth and competitiveness.

The discussion also tackles some of the biggest issues facing Canadian pork production today, including labor availability, global competition, animal health, trade and export markets, automation, and the growing potential of artificial intelligence throughout the food production system.

Topics include:

• Daniel Rivest’s path to becoming President & CEO of Olymel

• Olymel’s current position and strategic direction

• The outlook for Canadian pork production

• Building stronger relationships with producers

• Global trade and key export markets

• Automation, innovation and artificial intelligence

• Leadership lessons and opportunities for the next generation

The conversation concludes with a Fast Five, giving viewers a more personal look at Rivest’s leadership approach and his vision for Olymel’s future.