October 10, 2008

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to establish a voluntary trichinae certification programme for US pork.

While trichinella is extremely rare in the US, the programme aims to enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products overseas, as the EU and other foreign markets require trichinella testing for all pork imports.

Under the new programme, APHIS will certify pork production facilities that follow practices which reduce, eliminate or avoid the risk of swine exposure to trichinella parasites. Good production practices include feed integrity and facility construction and condition.

This programme will offer US producers a set of guidelines to standardise their pork production methods and practices. The programme also offers foreign markets a USDA certification that trichinella protections are in place at participating US farms without having to test every animal and product.

Trichenella is a parasitic speciesof worm found in many warm-blooded animals, including swine. Transmission occurs through the ingestion of infected muscle tissue. The main vector for trichenalla parasites in swine is the consumption of raw meat waste and in some cases, the consumption of rodents or other animals.

Notice of this final rule will be published in the October 10 Federal Register and becomes effective November 10.