To establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions.

On May 16, 2007, the USDA APHIS published a proposed rule to establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions. Under the proposed program, accredited veterinarians would certify pork production sites that follow prescribed good production practices that reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to the zoonotic parasite Trichinella spiralis, a disease of swine. Such a program should enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products to overseas markets. This proposed program, which would be funded by program fees, has been developed as a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Pork Board, and the pork processing industry. If adopted, this program would include those producers who choose to participate in the program, as well as slaughter facilities and other persons that handle or process swine from pork production sites that have been certified under the program.

The AVMA supports the establishment of a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork and believes this program will strengthen the collaborative relationship between veterinarians and producers, which will in turn strengthen our nation's food safety system. In addition, this program provides excellent opportunities for accredited veterinarians to utilize their skills in the protection of the food supply while also promoting animal health.

The AVMA commends the USDA for the development of the trichinae certification program as a risk-based food safety system, and we look forward to future opportunities to provide our recommendations to the USDA regarding public health and animal health related policies.