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British pig farmers step up biosecurity
piglets
Most pig keepers said they would no longer use breeding pigs imported from at-risk countries.
Survey finds farmers have responded well to the threat of foreign disease

British pig farmers have made significant improvements to biosecurity over the past year, in order to protect the UK from foreign diseases. This is according to the results of a new survey by the National Pig Association (NPA).

Industry experts have made repeated pleas to farmers to step up their biosecurity this year, in light of the rising threat of African swine fever and porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv).

NPA's chief executive Zoe Davies, said: "In the States, PEDv has wiped out over a tenth of the pig population in the past two years, causing up to 100 per cent mortality in piglets when it gets onto a pig unit."

In addition, there are concerns that African swine fever may become endemic in parts of the European Union. Dr Davies said if the disease arrived in the UK "it would instantly jeopardise our growing export trade in high-welfare British pork".

Results from the NPA survey of 66 pig units suggest commercial producers and smallholders are becoming increasingly aware of the threat of imported disease.

Key findings were:
  • A majority (84 per cent) of farmers insist that visitors to the unit have not had any recent contact with pigs.
  • Almost half (43 per cent) ensure visitors wear the unit's protective clothing and footwear. Nearly a quarter of respondents also insist on visitors showering-in.
  • Most pig keepers (82 per cent) would no longer use breeding pigs imported from at-risk countries. In addition, 69 per cent have banned AI semen from these countries.
  • Three-quarters have a barrier between their pigs and incoming vehicles. Of these, 21 per cent only allow essential vehicles through, while 19 per cent would not allow any in at all.
  • All producers to take part in the survey said staff and visitors who have been to at-risk countries are not allowed at the unit unless they have since had three days free from contact with pigs. The majority also insist they do not wear the same clothing or footwear as they wore while abroad.

While these figures are very positive, NPA says it remains concerned about pig producers it is not able to reach.

Dr Davies said: "Our problem is that whilst NPA has good communications with commercial producers and the British Pig Association fulfils a similar role with pedigree breeders and smallholders, neither of us finds it easy to reach those people who keep pigs but aren't members of either organisation - and that's our challenge for 2015."

In addition, there is some concern over many pig units' close proximity to other people and pigs. More than a third of units are within 100 yards of a public footpath or bridleway, and 18 per cent are within half a mile of another pig unit.
 
 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.