The chair of the pig sector of Red Tractor, the UK’s largest food and farm standards scheme, has warned that UK farmers should take precautions against African Swine Fever (ASF).
Stewart Houston said that the “highly contagious and fatal notifiable disease” is present in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, and that the risk of it reaching the UK has increased.
“If it were to arrive here, it would have a devastating impact on the health of our pig population and the domestic and international trade of pigs and pork,” he said.
“As farmers, it’s our responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Owners of pigs, including pigs just kept as pets, are being advised to take precautions against African Swine Fever.”
ASF and the UK
Houston believes that ASF could arrive in the UK through “multiple pathways” including:
- Movement of infected live animals;
- Contaminated equipment;
- Infectious products.
However, he echoed the sentiment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who considers the human route (e.g. in passenger luggage, farm workers etc.) to be the highest risk pathway and the most likely route of entry of the disease into the UK.
“Therefore, the risk of ASF infected pork being brought into the UK via people has been risk assessed as ‘high’, even though the overall risk for all pathways is medium,” he explained.
Pig feed
Houston said the food fed to pigs is extremely important in preventing ASF outbreaks. The ASF virus, he said, survives well in uncooked, cured and frozen meat.
One key measure is to make sure pigs are not being fed any food waste and to keep in mind that feeding them catering or domestic food waste is illegal, he said.
“This includes kitchen scraps and leftovers, raw or cooked meat, cured, dried, smoked, or frozen meat, fish, and shellfish, and even dog and cat food,” Houston said.
“Instead, you should feed your pigs specially formulated commercial pig feed and fruit and vegetables that have never entered a domestic or commercial kitchen and haven’t come into contact with products of animal origin such as meat or dairy.
“You should also avoid leaving food waste in areas where wild boar or feral pigs roam and it is not recommended to provide any supplementary commercial feed for feral pigs or wild boar, to avoid encouraging them.”
Biosecurity
Houston said that good biosecurity on-farm is the key to preventing the spread of ASF, as well as other diseases, in animals.
“An important precaution is to ensure that all visitors and farm workers are using dedicated clothing and boots when entering pig premises, and that any vehicles and equipment entering the premises are cleaned and disinfected before and after,” he said.
“If you employ seasonal or workers from abroad, it’s important that they are able to read the biosecurity protocols, which may mean making them available in other languages.
“It is also crucial to ensure that people who look after or visit your pigs understand the disease risk of bringing back meat products, particularly wild boar meat or pork products, from affected countries.
“If you notice that your pigs are looking unwell, it is important to seek veterinary advice promptly.”
