Pig industry diseases charter launched
Pig industry diseases charter launched
A new significant diseases charter has been launched by BPEX in the face of threats from challenges such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PEDv) and as part of the contingency plan drawn up by the Pig Health and Welfare Council.
The aim is for producers to sign up voluntarily to share information quickly in the event of an outbreak which will, in turn, make the control of disease faster and more effective.
It is an extension of the original Swine Dysentery Producer Charter which was launched in 2009, when producers, vets and the wider industry recognised the serious financial implications that would result from an uncontrolled outbreak of swine dysentery SD.
Initially only PED will be added to the reporting but, with the reporting framework in place, it could be used to include other emerging and exotic diseases.
BPEX veterinary team manager, Martin Smith said: “As with SD, the success of the Charter relies totally on the voluntary commitment from producers and their vets to raise the alarm should they experience a disease breakdown.
“The early detection and reporting of these potentially costly diseases would enable rapid response measures to be put in place to restrict their spread for the benefit of the whole of the British pig industry.”
Previous members of the SD Charter will need to sign up again, as the Significant Diseases Charter will now replace the original version.
Click here to sign up to the Charter.
