The European Union is tightening the rules on live pigs from the U.S. and Canada, requiring that all swine shipped from the two countries to be tested for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. The new rules regarding PED virus testing were made effective June 10.
The new pig import requirements, designed as a preventative measure to protect the European pig industry against PED virus, was approved by the European Union’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, according to iPolitics. The virus, which has nearly a 100 percent mortality rate in piglets and no known cure, has been reported in 30 states since its discovery in the U.S. in May 2013. PED virus has also been reported in four Canadian provinces since January 2014.
According to the EU Commission, an estimated 900 pigs were imported from the U.S. and Canada in 2013. Those pigs were imported for breeding purposes.
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