A Letter from Chris Moore, AAI, AFIS, CRIS, ONI, at James Allen Insurance
The National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) board of directors announced its decision to cancel World Pork Expo 2019 out of an abundance of caution as African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread through China and other parts of Asia. The World Pork Expo, held each June at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, hosts approximately 20,000 visitors over three days, including individuals and exhibitors from ASF-positive regions. ASF affects only pigs and presents no human health or food safety risks. But ASF is a highly contagious and extremely deadly virus. There is currently no vaccine to prevent it.
Producers have been consulting with risk management advisers to discuss strategy around what to do in the event ASF enters the United States. As you know, ASF is a trade-restricting virus, and the U.S. currently exports around 30% of the pork produced domestically.
While I don’t claim to be an economist, I do understand supply and demand – meaning the price of pork will fall as the supply becomes too much for domestic consumption. However, a producer can hedge against that risk by contacting James Allen Insurance. Our coverage can protect you and, as a producer, it is important to do so. Frankly, your livelihood depends on it.
I want to emphasize that pork industry leaders are doing everything they can to keep the United States free and clear of ASF. I am rooting for their success in preventing it from entering our borders.
However, it is important to have a backup plan – just in case.
Due to the potential of inevitable mortality resulting from ASF, James Allen Insurance has created an insurance product that allows hog producers the option to transfer their ASF mortality risk.
How does the coverage work? It protects you from these scenarios:
Event 1: Your farm is affected by the virus and experiences mortality.
Event 2: Your farm is ordered to slaughter due to the proximity of the virus.
Event 3: Your farm is affected by a stop movement order causing you to euthanize.
Take steps to ensure safety with James Allen Insurance:
Step 1: Tell us about your operation: name, address and animal type.
Step 2: Value your animals: Insure their production value rather than their cash value.
Step 3: Receive a price.
Step 4: Proceed with coverage.
Protecting yourself is easy when the alternative is risking it all. Contact James Allen Insurance today not only for coverage but also for peace of mind.
