By Dr Paul Talling, Biosecurity Advisor, Livetec Systems
African Swine Fever (ASF) continues its slow creep across Europe. The UK may be ASF-free, but that status is fragile and for pig producers, the consequences of an outbreak would be devastating.
As we head into the Pigs Tomorrow conference, the message is simple: we can’t afford to be complacent, we need to be prepared. Short term, reactionary biosecurity improvements such as adding an extra boot dip at the farm entrance, never work. Good biosecurity is well planned and effective all year round regardless of perceived disease pressure. It is also as much about changing user mindsets as it is about adding or altering physical infrastructures.
One case is all It takes
ASF doesn’t affect humans, but for pigs, it’s always fatal. In the UK it’s a notifiable disease and a confirmed case will result in that herd being culled. The immediate, wider industry consequence will be the i loss of our export status
With around 30% of UK pork exported, the impact would hit far beyond the farm gate.
In Europe ASF spread has been associated with dense wild boar populations but the UK’s risk lies more with human behaviour and our integrated supply chain. Despite tighter border controls, illegal meat imports and discarded contaminated food waste remain the most likely routes of ASF introduction. If the disease gets into our pigs the simple facts that a lot of our breeding herds are outside, and growing pigs are regularly moved between sites miles apart, will intrinsically increase the risk of disease transmission both locally and throughout the country.
Learning from poultry, planning for pigs
At Livetec, we’ve been applying lessons learnt from years of Avian Influenza outbreaks to strengthen ASF readiness in the pig industry. In the first instance this means strong practical advice and training on effective biosecurity structures and procedures, helping to stop disease incursion and limit subsequent spread. Secondly, if the worst should happen detailed contingency plans can be created to minimise the economic and mental health impact of the disease outbreak.
In partnership with AHDB, we’ve already delivered two ASF pilot workshops, one with producers who supply Pilgrim’s, and one with a group of independent producers supported by the NPA and BPA. From early summer, we’ll be rolling out more workshops across England, working closely with local vet practices to deliver hands on and in person support.
It’s about control
In the UK ASF is most likely to be spread directly and/or indirectly by people, vehicles and livestock moving between farms and associated premises. The most important things producers can do right now is take control of who enters the farm, take control of how they enter the farm e.g. C&D requirements and prepare the team to recognise the disease and act fast if the worst happens.
Biosecurity is not about compliance with assurance schemes. It’s about protecting your animals and your staff; it’s about your business continuity and your responsibility to the wider pig industry.
Catch me at Pigs Tomorrow
I’ll be attending Pigs Tomorrow, so if you’d like to chat about ASF, biosecurity risk assessments, contingency planning, or the upcoming workshops, feel free to grab me. I look forward to meeting you there.
