Accelerated Pseudorabies Eradication Gets NPPC Nod

October 14, 1999

Vice President Al Gore says $40 million has been made available for the voluntary destruction of hogs infected with pseudorabies. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) calls it a "tremendous step forward in our continuing drive to eliminate once and for all a disease that costs pork producers $30 million each year..."

Pseudorabies is a herpes virus that causes reproductive problems in pigs, but is not dangerous to humans. An eradication program is in place to help stop the spread of the disease. In January, the administration announced $80 million for the eradication program. Since that time, more than 670,000 hogs have been "depopulated," reducing the number of infected herds by more than half.

The eradication program began in 1989 and involves federal, state and industry participation. There are 31 states and two territories free of pseudorabies and seven states in the qualifying stage for free status. More than 500 herds with 658,000 swine remain under quarantine.

NPPC President John McNutt urged all hog producers with infected herds to take advantage of the program. He noted that Canada now is accepting U.S. hogs for slaughter from states free of the disease.