Limiting the spread of notifiable disease in pigs

Preparation is key. Not only does it save time during an outbreak, but it can also help limit the impact too.

By using the example of another notifiable disease, African swine fever (ASF), we can demonstrate the measures we have helped put in place to protect the pig industry.

ASF is a viral disease that only affects pigs and, dependent on the strain, can prove fatal. Early signs include high fever, lethargy and loss of appetite.

As an island nation, we have an additional barrier to the introduction of ASF. However, the risk is still there, and the industry talks about a “not if we get ASF”, but “when we get ASF”.

In collaboration with the Government and industry, we have helped raise awareness through shareable and consistent messaging designed to prevent ASF from ever arriving.

This includes getting Border Force on board to help stop the import of contaminated pork products, promoting the thorough cleaning and disinfection of livestock vehicles and working with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to monitor the global situation, adapting plans accordingly.

If ASF was detected, Defra would lead on ensuring infected premises and those that have been in contact with infected premises are quickly identified to help limit the spread. This would result in protection and surveillance zones being put in place and any meat from an infected site would be traced and destroyed.

It is very likely there would be an impact on trade of pork from unaffected areas too, including restrictions on exports. That might sound unfair to some, but all measures would ensure the size and duration of an outbreak of ASF were reduced, helping limit the overall impact on our pig industry.

All producers can play their part now by helping keep the disease out in the first place.

Contingency planning is a Red Tractor requirement, so a regular review with a vet is advised; refer to Appendix DP.2 in the Pigs Standards for more information on this requirement.