?If we have healthy animals coming onto the fairgrounds, we will have healthy animals leaving the fairgrounds.? This was what Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig had to say about the new biosecurity measures being put into place, for hogs, at this year?s Iowa State Fair. What is this going to mean for exhibitors?
Audio: Full Interview With Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig
With the threats of foreign animal diseases being a focus in the pork industry, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) joined with the Iowa State Fair in implementing some enhanced biosecurity measures for all hogs arriving at the fairgrounds. These measures are already being used at county fairs across the state.
Secretary Mike Naig talks about the measures which need to be put in place. This includes having a seven-day certificate of veterinary inspection before the hog?s arrival at the fair. Once at the fair, a team of veterinarians will give the hogs another examination and will sign off on the animals once again.
Naig says this also gives us a chance to make this a teaching moment for the younger exhibitors bringing in animals. Naig says you are never too young to be aware of biosecurity.
Naig says this is not just about making sure the animals are healthy coming on to the fair, but it will also be a time to remind exhibitors of the precautions they need to take when they are bringing their animals home from the fair.
The Iowa State Fair runs August 8th through the 18th in Des Moines.
