The National Pork Board has committed to investing an additional $350,000 toward research, education and coordination of efforts to better understand Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, also known as PED, was thought to exist only in Europe and China, but Colorado and 14 other states began reporting the virus in April.
Fitch also views completion of the deal as probable, despite political concerns around foreign-ownership of U.S. food assets and potential negative implications for U.S. consumers.