Recent media coverage has reinforced continued concern around African Swine Fever (ASF) and the importance of practical preparedness across the UK pig sector.
This discussion has been further reflected in industry engagement, including a recent webinar where Dr Paul Talling, Biosecurity Advisor at Livetec, joined the panel to discuss ASF risk and the need to turn contingency planning theory into practical on farm action.
For veterinary practices, the message is clear. The ASF threat is not going away and there is growing need for structured, practical ASF preparedness support for pig producers.
Why this matters for veterinary practices
ASF contingency planning cannot be a theoretical exercise.
Recent changes to the UK’s ASF control strategy does not lessen the need for producers to prepare for the consequential fallout of an ASF outbreak. Producers must be encouraged to consider detailed operational questions around:
These are areas where veterinary practices are already central to decision making and client support.
Workshops have driven engagement
Contingency planning workshops delivered across England and Scotland throughout 2025 and 2026 have shown strong engagement, reaching over 200 pig producers and industry professionals.
The workshops provided a structured environment to move beyond awareness and into practical planning, helping farms identify current risks and define clear actions before an outbreak occurs.
Calling all Veterinary teams – host a workshop with a facilitator
Resources and toolkits, including the AHDB Workshop in a Box, provide a useful foundation for delivery but for busy veterinary practices, facilitating and running a workshop just with in-house staff may not be practical. This is where Livetec can offer support.
“In our experience having a partner, in the room, with real-life, hands-on experience of dealing with notifiable disease outbreaks, really helps to open up conversations and bring a sense of realism to an otherwise theoretical topic” – Dr Paul Talling.
Sessions enhanced by experienced facilitation can:
Next step
With industry attention on ASF remaining high, this is an opportune moment for veterinary practices to engage producers in meaningful ASF preparedness discussions and help them start contingency plans that will help avoid the inevitable pitfalls that comes with just reacting to the situation in a time of crisis.
Biosecurity is crucial to preparedness. Additionally, these workshops refresh biosecurity thinking and help give a new perspective to how farms should be set up and/or managed to keep disease out.
Supporting delivery through your practice
If your practice is interested in hosting an ASF contingency planning workshop, Livetec can provide facilitation support to help deliver the session with confidence and practical impact.