AASV committees plan work for 2022

The AASV’s issue- and membership-based committees met virtually during the 2022 winter months and in-person at the AASV Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. The AASV Board of Directors establishes committees to address specific issues associated with swine veterinary medicine and provide recommendations for action to the AASV leadership. The AASV committees are an integral part of the leadership structure within AASV, and they also serve as a great way for members to participate in developing positions for the association, learn about critical issues, network with other members, and develop their own leadership skills.

The following are some highlights from the committee meetings:

• During 2021, the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Task Force analyzed preliminary data from the PRRS elimination survey. The task force plans to develop a white paper for distribution to AASV members. The task force continues to work on their AASV-funded project to develop a PRRS case definition for breeding herds. Task force members seek to better understand why swine herds stay in PRRSV Category 1, and if this contributes to viral diversity and regional spread.
• The Boar Stud Biosecurity Committee plans to encourage Federal and State Animal Health Officials to develop standardized shipping requirements for semen. They anticipate holding a preconference seminar during the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting.
• The Committee on Transboundary and Emerging Diseases formed a biosecurity subcommittee to support and improve bioexculsion and biocontainment practices based on applicable science and sound experience for North American pig farms, limiting the spread of endemic diseases and a potential future foreign animal disease incursion.
• The Collegiate Activities Committee published a commentary, Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Swine Veterinary Education, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.21.10.0443). Data collection is complete for a survey sent to all veterinary colleges in the United States to gather information regarding swine curriculum and resources.
• The Communications Committee discussed the nearly completed AASV Heritage Video featuring Dr Max Rodibaugh. The committee plans to add more videos to the series during 2022. The committee discussed accessibility of podcasts and will explore opportunities for member-only podcasts.
• Established by the AASV Board of Directors in April 2021, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee met in person for the first time in Indianapolis. To achieve its mission, the committee is exploring options to collect demographic information on member applications and support swine-interested students from traditionally underrepresented groups within the AASV.
• Following the success of the AASV Early Career Swine Veterinarian Conference in 2021, the Early Career Committee discussed opportunities to expand educational outreach to early career swine veterinarians. The committee continues to record podcasts highlighting topics for early career veterinarians. Any AASV member can download the MP3 audio file from the AASV Podcast Library at aasv.org/podcast/.
• The Human Health, Safety, and Well-being Committee proposed a preconference seminar highlighting multiple topics in human health for the 2023 Annual Meeting. The committee recommends asking those participating in the next AASV Salary Survey if employee assistance programs are a benefit of their employment.
• The Influenza Committee is interested in hosting an AASV webinar describing influenza vaccines, uses, and how vaccine licensing is obtained.
• Discussions of the Nutrition Committee centered around providing AASV members with educational resources and learning opportunities in nutrition.
• The Operation Main Street (OMS) Committee is planning to host OMS speaker training sessions virtually during 2022. The OMS Committee continues to explore avenues to reach veterinary students beyond those already interested in swine.
• The Pharmaceutical Issues Committee continued discussing the need for a database listing withdrawal times for countries outside the United States. The committee heard about plans for the Swine Medicine Education Center to create an antimicrobial stewardship course for students and practitioners.
• The Pig Welfare Committee was informed that the updated AASV Recommendations for the Depopulation of Swine are now available at aasv.org/resources/welfare/. These recommendations and supplemental resources, including a team resiliency debrief tool, were developed by AASV and funded by the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program to capture the first-hand experiences gained by veterinarians and farmers faced with depopulation.
• The Pork Safety Committee plans to submit comments in response to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service proposed performance standards for Salmonella in raw pork.
• The Student Recruitment Committee recommends AASV continue supporting The Swine Medicine Talks: An AASV series for Veterinary Students.

Full reports and work plans from each committee are available at aasv.org/members/only/committee.

Almost all committees need additional members who are swine veterinary practitioners. The committees are a critical part of the AASV leadership, and AASV members, leaders, and staff appreciate the efforts of the volunteer members. If you are interested in learning more about the committee activities, visit the committee web pages on the AASV web site (aasv.org/members/only/committee). Contact the committee chair or the AASV office to join a committee.

Abbey Canon, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Director of Public Health and Communications