Resources for pork producers and veterinarians dealing with depopulation

With the closure of several pork packing plants and market disruption due to COVID-19, producers are facing many challenges and left with a lot of uncertainty. The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) has developed new resources related to crisis planning and depopulation for veterinarians and producers. These resources are available on the AASV COVID-19 webpage. 

Veterinarians can work with producers to identify and implement various strategies for coping with the emergency until operations can return to normal. The Farm Crisis Operations Planning Tool can be a useful resource in working through emergency planning.

If all other solutions have been explored, depopulation may be considered as a final option. The decision to depopulate should be made in close consultation with the herd veterinarian. Review the AASV Recommendations for the Depopulation of Swine and the AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals: 2019 Edition for details on choosing an appropriate method. 

Before depopulation planning begins:

• Check with your state animal health official or state pork producers association, as emergency funding may be available to cover the cost of depopulation and disposal.
• Check with your state animal health official or state pork producers association, as a regional depopulation strategy may be in place to use a centralized location and resources to increase throughput and facilitate carcass disposal strategies.

Advanced planning for emergency situations, and support for implementation of the plan once the decision to depopulate has been made, are critical for protecting animal welfare and human health and safety. As laid out in the AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals, “Preferred Methods” should be used first. Methods that are “Permitted in Constrained Circumstances” should be used only when the circumstances of the emergency are deemed to constrain the ability to reasonably implement a preferred method. In circumstances not clearly covered by the AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals, a veterinarian experienced with the species in question should apply professional judgment and knowledge of clinically acceptable techniques in selecting a method of euthanasia or depopulation (if required).