The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) says dried
blood plasma can be safely used as an ingredient in nursery-pig rations, but
also cautions that if it’s not handled properly, it could spread Porcine
Epidemic Diarrhea virus.
Dried blood plasma imported from the United States and
incorporated in rations marketed by Grand Valley Fortifiers of Cambridge has
been blamed for 17 disease outbreaks in Ontario last winter.
The company stopped using the product as soon as it became
aware of the risks, alerted its customers to stop feeding rations that
incorporated the ingredient and recalled feed from the market.
The OIE has issued a fact sheet saying dried blood products
are safe to use if they’re properly handled and biosecurity protocols are
followed.
It does, however, also say PED can lurk in dried blood
plasma.
The OIE information has been welcomed by the
International Feed Industry Federation which issued a statement saying the OIE
findings are based on scientific work or an OIE ad hoc group on PED and
highlight the feed industry’s “strong commitment to food safety.”
The virus has killed an estimated eight million piglets,
or 13 percent of the U.S. hog herd, since it was first identified in the U.S.
last year, pushing U.S. pork prices to record highs.
