In 2024, the board of directors of the Minnesota Pork Board adopted five foundational strategic pillars, one of which is the enhancement of animal well-being. Intrinsic to animal well-being are animal health, disease prevention and ultimately, disease elimination from pig populations.
With the leadership and directive of Minnesota Pork, a working group was tasked with providing direction and guidance with the goal of arriving at an action plan consistent with the goals under the foundational pillar of animal well-being. The recommendation from this group was for Minnesota pork producers to lead the nation in the elimination of the endemic disease, and to pursue the goal of the elimination of Mycoplasma hyopneumiae at the state level. From this beginning, the Minnesota Animal Health Task Force was created and has provided the leadership and direction, including the submission of a resolution to the US Swine Health Improvement Plan with subsequent approval by the House of Delegates, for the creation of a working group to explore the potential for certifying Mhp within the program.
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