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:
- Animal Welfare Act 2006
- Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007
- Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007
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.
- AHDB Pork Action for Productivity 13: Biosecurity
- AHDB Pork Action for Productivity 10: Cleaning & disinfection
- Defra advice on national and farm biosecurity
- Efficacy of some disinfectant compounds against porcine bacterial pathogens
- Visitor policy factsheet
- Vehicle biosecurity factsheet
- AHDB Pork Disinfectant Checklist
- Order your free 'no entry' signs and foot dip signs