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State Representative
Howard Swenson

539 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296- 8634

For Immediate ReleaseFor more information contact:
March 31, 1999Patrick Condon (651-296-2317)
NEWS RELEASE
SWENSON VOTES FOR FINAL
PSEUDO-RABIES LEGISLATION

ST. PAUL The House of Representatives Monday passed the final version of legislation that will spend $1.5 million in state funds to rid swine herds around Minnesota of the Pseudo-Rabies Virus. The vote was 105-27.

Rep. Howard Swenson (R-Nicollet) said he was glad for the chance to vote for the bill. Swenson, whose legislative district has many pork producers, said he was pleased that the legislation finally moved through the Legislature.

"We're sending this bill to the governor at just about the mid-point of the legislative session," Swenson said. "I'm glad my colleagues agreed with me, that it was important we move fast to get rid of this rapidly-spreading virus, and get these resources out to our vets and hog producers."

The Pseudo-Rabies Vaccine, which was thought to be almost entirely eradicated from swine herds in the state just a few months ago, made a dramatic resurgence this winter, spreading to nearly 500,000 hogs, about 10 percent of all hogs in the state. Of the $1.5 million appropriation, $1.25 million will be used to purchase vaccine, to innoculate all hogs within three miles of any infected animals, as well as for blood-testing for all hogs. Pseudo-Rabies is highly contagious, but Swenson said that it does not affect humans, and also does not affect consumer pork products.

"Most hog-producing states around the country have eradicated the virus from their herds altogether," Swenson said. "There is no reason why Minnesota should not be able to do the same thing, and this legislation will allow us to target the elimination of the virus."

The Senate is expected to pass the bill as agreed to in conference committee, and Gov. Ventura is expected to sign it into law. The money for vaccinations will be available right away.

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