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NPA warns of impact of pig vaccine shortages
More antibiotics are being used in response to a vaccine shortages.
The shortages are leading to increased antibiotic usage.

The National Pig Association (NPA) has highlighted the impact that vaccine shortages are having on the pig farming sector.

It warns that continued availability issues may be resulting in an increase in antibiotic use on pig farms.

Disruptions in the supply of vaccines is said to have been going on for a year. This may be attributed to a number of reasons, including recalls, failed batches and too few importations into Great Britain.

With an estimated ten per cent of veterinary vaccines produced in the UK, it is reported that other parts of the world will also be seeing the impact.

The NPA believes that the vaccine production issues may be a result of a diversion of vaccine manufacturing priorities to Covid and other diseases. As well as limiting space in vaccine manufacturing schedules, this may also cause a shortage of supplies such as vaccine bottles.

The schedules are also impacted by the short shelf lives of the vaccines, which can make cold storage and transport problematic.

The vaccine shortages are believed to be a contributor to an increase in antibiotic use, with more antibiotics being used in place of the vaccine. In autumn 2024, data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales (VARSS) showed that there had been an 18 per cent increase in antibiotic use between 2022 and 2023.

The NPA says that it will be reporting the impact of the vaccine shortage back to pharmaceutical companies and the government.

It also says that the vaccine shortage, and its impact on antibiotic use, may be difficult to resolve. It says that it will require a collaborative effort from livestock industries, government and pharmaceutical companies to tackle the issue.

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.