Biosecurity risks for swine will be the focus of an event in Washington County.

China has recently seen an outbreak in African Swine Fever, a virus which causes a high mortality rate in pigs. Local swine specialists want to make sure pork producers are being proactive to prevent illness in their facilities. Swine Specialist Tom Miller says the risk is low for African Swine Fever in the United States, but if there is even one case there will be consequences to our pork export market, “We export about 23% of pork raised within the United States. If there is one case of African Swine Fever diagnosed here in the United States a lot of our export market would go away. Other countries would quit exporting from us, so it would be extremely devastating to the swine industry here within the U.S.” Miller, who will be leading the workshop, says it will teach pork producers the best ways to keep their operations sanitary and the benefits of doing so. The workshop will take place Tuesday (12/11) at 1 p.m. at the Washington County Extension Office, there is no cost to attend but pre-registration is recommended.