USDA Now Requires Reporting of Pork Virus The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now requiring reporƟng of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and Swine Delta Coronavirus in order to slow the spread of these diseases across the country while maintaining movement of pigs. USDA is taking this acƟon due to the devastaƟng effect on swine health since PEDv was first confirmed in the United States last year, even though the virus is not a reportable disease under internaƟonal standards. PEDv only affects pigs, does not pose a risk to people, and is not a food safety concern. “USDA has been working closely with the pork industry and state and federal partners to solve this problem,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack stated. “Together, we have established tesƟng protocols, sequenced the virus, and are invesƟgaƟng how the virus is transmiƩed.” The reporƟng acƟons will help idenƟfy gaps in biosecurity so USDA and industry can work together to stop the spread of both diseases and the damage caused to producers, industry, and consumers. In addiƟon to requiring reporƟng of PEDv, USDA will also require tracking movements of pigs, vehicles, and other equipment leaving affected premises; however, movements would sƟll be allowed. USDA is also working with industry partners to increase assistance to producers who have experienced PEDv outbreaks in other criƟcal areas such as disease surveillance, herd monitoring, and epidemiological and technical support. USDA is already aiding researchers looking into the disease. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is working with the NaƟonal Animal Disease Center in Ames, IA, to make models of the disease transmission and tesƟng feedstuffs. This modeling work is contribuƟng to some experimental vaccines to treat affected animals. A quesƟon-and-answer sheet on the new reporƟng requirement is available on the Animal and Plant Health InspecƟon Service website at www.aphis.usda. gov/publicaƟons/animal_health/2014/faq_ped_reporƟng.pdf. A summary of USDA acƟons is available at www.usda.gov/documents/pedv-summary-acƟons.pdf. R Match Hardware with a High Security Lock Many operators have turned to the disk lock for bins and valve covers since the disk lock is tough to break due to it its stainless steel and hidden shackle. However, the economy disk lock has the same keyway as a cheap hardware store padlock, five or six pin tumblers that can be picked or bumped by an apprenƟce thief. Since a disk lock with standard keyway is a hard to break lock that can be secretly breached, it offers no protection against skimming, no evidence of the crime, and false security to boot. Upgrade the keyway, however, and the lock’s security level matches the other components. Not all disk locks are alike. With a key control system, the renderer/grease recycler or restaurant employs a lock with a non-duplicable key blank that has a code registered only to that customer. TheŌ can now be pinpointed and the collector and restaurant can take steps to stop it. No maƩer what the hardware on an exterior bin or interior tank, there is an access point and it is essenƟal that it match or surpass the security level of the other components of the company’s security network. R www.rendermagazine.com Render June 2014 27
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