AASV Board Approves Position Statements

October 19, 2011 — 

The AASV board of directors adopted two position statements during its fall meeting held October 11 in Perry, IA. The statements modified existing policy addressing the issues of PRRS virus elimination and animal welfare.

The board was presented with a request to amend the PRRS eradication position statement to reflect updated terminology (PRRS virus elimination instead of PRRS eradication) and new information regarding the economic impact of PRRS. The newly adopted statement reads as follows:

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a significant production-limiting disease of swine that is estimated to cost the North American swine industry in excess of 664 million dollars per year. Control of the disease via traditional methods has not been effective in all cases; therefore, it is the position of the AASV that elimination of the PRRS virus from the North American swine industry is the long term goal. The AASV will take a leadership role by partnering with the swine industry to promote collaborative PRRS virus elimination efforts at the local, regional, and national levels, communicating the need and identifying sources of funding to support such initiatives, and assisting in the transfer of new PRRS-related information and technology across its membership, in order to achieve this goal.

In other action, the board also approved revising the existing swine welfare policy at the request of the AASV Pig Welfare Committee. The committee reviewed the existing policy and proposed that it be revised with the following wording:

The welfare of pigs is the accepted ethical and professional responsibility of all swine veterinarians. We support, assist, and educate swine caregivers in practices that promote and protect the health and well-being of pigs.

Swine veterinarians advance proper swine care by preventing and treating disease, addressing and reducing pain and distress, safeguarding animal health, and teaching good husbandry practices. We make decisions regarding animal care and well-being by combining scientific knowledge and professional judgment with consideration of ethical and societal values.

As veterinary professionals, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and its members will continue to improve pig welfare through scientific research, education, and advocacy.