TUCKER, GEORGIA, U.S. — A new educational program hosted by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will focus on biosecurity as it pertains to foreign animal diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, African swine fever and avian influenza. The program, “Biosecurity in the Face of Foreign Animal Disease – What the Feed Industry Needs to Know,” will take place on Jan. 29, 2020, in conjunction with the 2020 International Production & Processing Expo, Jan. 28-30 in Atlanta.

Experts will discuss how to prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases into your facility, what to do if a disease outbreak comes to the United States and much more.

“This program couldn’t come at a better time,” said Paul Davis, PhD, director of quality, animal food safety and education at the AFIA. “With the threat of African swine fever looming over the U.S. pork industry, feed manufacturers of any species need to know what steps to take in the event of an outbreak. AFIA’s Nutrition Committee put together a great agenda that will be very helpful to all in the feed industry.”

The program includes discussions on the design and implementation of poultry operations in regards to biosecurity; biosecurity in swine feed mills; beef cattle biosecurity practices and prospects; and how everyone in the industry can help with biosecurity in the face of foreign animal diseases.

The program is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The cost to register is $50 before Jan. 10, 2019, and $75 onsite.

Online registration for IPPE is open. Interested individuals are encouraged to register by Jan. 10 to receive the early-bird rate of $75. After that, the registration cost is $125.