‘Collaboration drives pig health and welfare progress’
The pig industry is leading the way with its collaborative approach to health and welfare. These were the comments of MP Neil Parish, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, who launched the Pig Health and Welfare Council’s (PHWC) biennial report in the House of Commons last week.
The report not only highlights the progress made in the last two years but also the ambitious targets set for each of the Council’s subgroups, which cover antimicrobials, pig meat safety, welfare and surveillance.
20:20 Pig Health and Welfare Strategy goals
Meryl Ward, Chairman of AHDB Pork, which is part of the PHWC, said: “It’s a proactive partnership between cross-industry organisations and it’s the way we work closely together that underpins success in achieving our 20:20 Pig Health and Welfare Strategy goals.”
New and emerging diseases remain major concern to pig industry
Emerging diseases is one example of the major challenges facing the British pig industry which are being addressed by the PHWC.
PHWC chairman Prof Jim Scudamore said: “New and emerging diseases remain a major concern to the pig industry with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED), African Swine Fever (ASF) and Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) of high importance.
PED contingency plan for England
“Much of the surveillance sub group’s work in the past year has been devoted to PED. Development of the PED contingency plan for England, the standard operating procedures and diagnostic tests has required close collaboration across the pig industry, with considerable assistance from Animal and Plant Health Agency and Government.”
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