BioSec Bob here on Friday, April 17, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
The National Swine Health Strategy is moving out of the planning phase and into actual implementation, according to 3tres3.com. The coordinated effort to strengthen disease prevention and response across U.S. swine operations is now transitioning from development to on-the-ground action. The strategy represents a collaborative approach among producers, veterinarians, and regulatory agencies to tighten biosecurity protocols and improve disease surveillance across the country.
Up north in Saskatchewan, Sask Pork has rolled out a new transport biosecurity tool designed to help producers manage disease risk during pig movement. PortageOnline is reporting the resource addresses one of the trickier points in the supply chain—getting animals from farm to facility while minimizing exposure. The tool provides practical guidance for transport operators and receiving sites.
A federal appeals court has sided with the USDA on the New Swine Inspection System. National Hog Farmer reports the Second Circuit rejected legal claims challenging the inspection modernization program, clearing the way for continued implementation. The system has been a point of contention, but the court’s decision removes a significant legal hurdle for the agency to keep rolling forward.
Shifting to the poultry side, the AG Information Network of the West is highlighting innovation gains in poultry research. New developments in breeding, nutrition, and flock management are coming out of university and private research facilities across western states. The focus appears to be on efficiency improvements and disease resistance traits that could benefit producers managing larger operations.
Back on disease watch, Post Courier is reporting an African Swine Fever outbreak has been confirmed in pigs in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. The outbreak underscores the ongoing global pressure from ASF, which continues circulating in various regions and remains a serious trade and biosecurity concern for U.S. producers.
And National Hog Farmer is raising a flag on FMDV serotype SAT1—foot-and-mouth disease strains that are spreading in parts of Africa and the Middle East. The concern for U.S. swine producers is direct: SAT1 has demonstrated ability to jump between regions and poses significant import risk to North American herds if containment efforts slip.
Keep an eye on those trade routes and your incoming animal health alerts.