August 5, 2011

UK imposes new pig health standards

Three pilot projects have just been given the go signal to implement new biosecurity measures on pig units as part of UK's BPEX Pig Health Improvement Project (PHIP).

BPEX has helped the producer groups access RDPE funding to support the practical steps they are taking. One group is upgrading its loading ramps to improve biosecurity and, in the second group, one of the farms is doing a full depopulation. The third group, comprising more than 30 units, is carrying out a targeted PRRS vaccination.

Dr Charlotte Evans of BPEX said, "The aim is to show that, where local producers work together, health status improves more rapidly and should make for a lasting solution to persistent challenges."

All other regions of England are now embarking on the first stage of the project and there are already more than 400 pig units across the country signed up to the PHIP.

All pig farmers in England can now sign up for the PHIP and get free support and services to help improve pig health status.

Producers in Yorkshire and East Anglia who were previously registered with the regional schemes need to 're-register' for the national PHIP which is, in effect, bringing all English regions together to provide the same free support, including BPHS post-mortem checks.