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Pig sector to explore zinc oxide options post-Brexit
Zinc-oxide is used to prevent, control and treat diarrhoea in young pigs.
Industry stakeholders meet with VMD to discuss the ban

The UK’s National Pig Association (NPA) has said that it will continue to explore options for using products containing zinc oxide when Britain leaves the European Union.

The NPA and other industry stakeholders met with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) last week to discuss the EU zinc oxide ban. The meeting included the Pig Veterinary Society, the Agricultural Industries Confederation and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

NPA’s senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford said: “We had a useful meeting with the VMD to discuss implementation of the withdrawal of licenses for high-level zinc oxide in the UK.

“There was some discussion around the potential to obtain a local (UK) license for the products once we have fully left the EU, although the uncertainty around Brexit means VMD could not provide any clear answers at this stage. A lot depends, for example, on the transition period and whether 2019 or 2021 is considered the date we leave.”

“My understanding is that although the VMD wouldn’t automatically reverse the Commission's decision – it might be open to exploring options for authorising products in the UK. NPA will continue to explore this and support efforts to gather the necessary environmental data.”

Zinc-oxide is used to prevent, control and treat diarrhoea in young pigs. According to the NPA, an estimated 70 to 90 per cent of starter diets in the UK contain zinc oxide at therapeutic levels.

Reiterating the challenges facing the pig industry when it comes to removing medicinal zinc oxide, Georgina said:

“The issues that we raised when we originally opposed the ban have not changed – for example, the lack of viable alternatives, the disease challenges facing the UK pig herd and the age of our buildings due to a lack of industry investment. All of this will be compounded by the need the industry to reduce our antibiotic usage at the same time as phasing out zinc oxide.

“The Commission rarely gives any flexibility in these types of decision, so we are relieved that we managed to secure a five-year phase-out period, every minute of which will be needed to give the industry time to adapt.” 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.