Bio security

Bio Security for Pig breeders and keepers

It is important that ALL pig breeders & keepers, no matter how large or small their herd, read, keep up to date and comply with the current regulations relating to bio security.

The information on the following websites, gives valuable and up to date information

Controlling disease in farm animal - Government website

The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs

AHVLA

AHDB

The Pig Site

Pig biosecurity procedures must be of a high standard to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as swine influenza.

Pig farmers should (taken from, Government – pigs on farms welfare):

prohibit unnecessary visitors to the farm
cleanse and disinfect any shared equipment before it enters and after it leaves your premises
make sure that personnel in contact with pigs at different premises take standard precautions, such as cleaning and disinfecting boots and clothing
prevent people with flu-like symptoms coming into contact with pigs

Download pig biosecurity information from the Defra website (PDF, 895K).

Find out about how to control the spread of swine flu on the Defra website.

You and any staff working with animals must read, understand, and have access to the welfare code of practice for pigs. The statutory welfare codes offer guidance for farmers on existing law. If you don’t follow them it can be used as evidence in court if you’re prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to livestock.

Also see ‘Caring for pigs’ which provides additional links to relevant laws. It also explains your general responsibilities to farm animals.

Relevant legislation:

Listed below are useful websites on bio security for pig breeders/keepers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/controlling-disease-in-farm-animals

https://pork.ahdb.org.uk/pig-production/biosecurity/

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869140/code-practice-welfare-pigs.pdf

For contact details of your local Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) use the postcode search tool on the AHVLA website.

http://thinkbiorisk.pork.ahdb.org.uk/

https://thepigsite.com/articles/basic-biosecurity-rules-for-all-small-scale-pig-producers

BIOSECURITY

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Biosecurity is the set of practical measures taken by pig businesses to limit the spread of infectious diseases, both within a farm and from one farm to another, or from elsewhere, e.g. the abattoir. Reducing the spread of disease will help to maintain the health of the unit, reduce the costs of disease, and maintain productivity.

Ensuring good biosecurity throughout the entire supply chain is the first line of defence against exotic and emerging diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and PEDv.

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