Early warning system for pig disease

A groundbreaking pig health scheme which relies on the willingness of all Scotland’s pig producers to share sensitive data on diseases in their herds is having an impact on animal welfare and disease prevention across the country.

The Pig Health Charter has been signed by all commercial pig farmers in the country and means their pig health information can be shared with others who have a legitimate reason to know.

For example, the scheme means a producer wanting to set up a new herd could get his vet to request the health information for other units in the area

It is operated by Wholesome Pigs (Scotland) Ltd, formed as a not-for- profit company to undertake pig health improvement work for the whole Scottish pig industry.

It is chaired by Mintlaw pig farmer Sandy Howie and operates out of the Scottish Pig Producers (SPP) office in Huntly.

SPP chief executive Andy McGowan said funding from the Scottish Government has supported the establishment of an early warning system, monitored by the Scottish Pig Disease Control Centre (SPDCC).

There is a command and control hub at SPP headquarters and Mr McGowan said the system ensured a rapid reaction to disease incursion.

The aim, he said, is to reduce the impact on animal health and welfare as well as the economic businesses.

The centre is the immediate point of contact for any suspicions of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus, a disease that was made notifiable in 2016.

“The Scottish Government does work very closely with the SPDCC but production diseases are not a government responsibility, the industry must sort out its own health challenges,” Mr McGowan said.

“We are proud to be at the leading edge of continual improvement in pig health but we can do even better and these initiatives are the building blocks. Efficient, high quality production with minimal antibiotic use is our goal and we are well on the way to achieving that.” hit on farm

Andy McGowan of the Scottish Pig Producers.