AFIA Updates Biosecurity Guidance Due To ASF Outbreak

Updated biosecurity guidelines were released by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) amid outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) -- including one currently affecting China. The recent ASF outbreaks motivated AFIA to "create a multi-pronged action plan," the group said. The effort aims to develop "science-based solutions for mitigating the risks of virus transmission through feed" and the "communicate any new information and recommendations to the industry and producer groups." Updated biosecurity guidelines are one product of the effort. "AFIA's biosecurity guidelines were originally written to help safeguard manufacturing facilities following 9/11, but were always meant to serve as a 'living document' that could be updated based on what we know about new and emerging threats," said AFIA Director of Quality, Animal Food Safety and Education Paul Davis. "While some threats aren't at the back door yet, it doesn't mean we can leave the door unlocked. Our industry must be vigilant about continually improving its biosecurity programs for the protection of animal and human health." To develop the updated guidelines, AFIA collaborated with the pork industry, government and academia. It incorporated changes "based on new information regarding how viruses can potentially spread throughout the feed manufacturing process."