Farmers increase bio-security to combat deadly pig virus
Reuters
2014-05-08
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A lethal pig virus is sweeping across farms in the U.S.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus has killed around 7 million baby pigs in the country.
A concern for New York pig farm owner, Michael Yezzi:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIG FARMER MICHAEL YEZZI, SAYING:
"It's not known all the details, but it's very virulent, easily transmitted, hard to get rid of, especially on a soil pasture base like we are. Once it gets into the soil, there's-no getting rid of it."
Research estimates there could be a 6 to 7 percent drop in 2014 U.S. pork production tied to losses from the virus.
This comes as the EU tightens rules on pig imports -- Ensuring imported pig blood used in some animal feed is free of the virus.
Yezzi is taking every precaution to ensure his farm stays virus-free:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIG FARMER MICHAEL YEZZI, SAYING:
"We're just re-doubling our bio-security practices; working with people we know, making sure that before we get a delive
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus has killed around 7 million baby pigs in the country.
A concern for New York pig farm owner, Michael Yezzi:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIG FARMER MICHAEL YEZZI, SAYING:
"It's not known all the details, but it's very virulent, easily transmitted, hard to get rid of, especially on a soil pasture base like we are. Once it gets into the soil, there's-no getting rid of it."
Research estimates there could be a 6 to 7 percent drop in 2014 U.S. pork production tied to losses from the virus.
This comes as the EU tightens rules on pig imports -- Ensuring imported pig blood used in some animal feed is free of the virus.
Yezzi is taking every precaution to ensure his farm stays virus-free:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIG FARMER MICHAEL YEZZI, SAYING:
"We're just re-doubling our bio-security practices; working with people we know, making sure that before we get a delive
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