UK pig disease: Take biosecurity seriously
If PEDv or ASF were to hit this country and close our export markets it could cost producers as much as 30p per kg almost overnight.
Our first line of defence is biosecurity and BPEX held a well-attended workshop in York where US producer Harold Lee gave an insight into how PEDv affected him.
To drive the message home, vet David Chennells asked whether producers really wanted poor biosecurity practices to end their pig career in bankruptcy.
Former BPEX vet Derek Armstrong said stepping up biosecurity once you have PEDv was locking the stable door after the horse had bolted. The time to take action is now.
Primarily, the focus should be on keeping these diseases out of the UK, but if that fails, focus must switch to limiting its spread.
The top tip from the event was to have maximum biosecurity in the breeding herd – they are the most valuable stock.
BPEX skills development co-ordinator Sam Bowsher said: “The video from Harold Lee was hard-hitting and thought provoking. The event was well-attended and successful providing a great deal of food for thought.
“Biosecurity is something the industry must take seriously. There is already a great deal of advice on the BPEX website which can be accessed by following the link at the bottom of the page.”
The workshop was just the start as BPEX is running farm-level biosecurity training starting at the end of this month. Each half day session costs £30 plus VAT and more details are available here.
To view Harold Lee’s video, follow the link here.
Biosecurity information is available on the BPEX website by following this link.
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