Dutch experts reveal culling pigs is better than vaccination

Culling of pigs during outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) may sometimes be preferred to vaccination from an economic perspective.

Drawn up in a study by the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), this conclusion however does not count for all outbreaks. The institute--part of Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands-- states that in regions with a relative low livestock density, slaughtering pigs may be the best strategy to control an outbreak.

Should areas be densely populated, however, a vaccinating strategy in a 5 kilometre (km) radius around the infection source would be better. In case the livestock density is not extremely high, vaccinating in a radius of 2 km would be sufficient.

The preventive culling of all animals belonging to hobby farmers - a phenomenon often observed in the Netherlands to control diseases – does not necessarily contain an outbreak.

From an economic point of view, it is an option not to vaccinate as this strategy would be considerably cheaper. The researchers note, however, that it is wise not to consider the latest FMD outbreak as leading as this particular strain was rather aggressive.

FMD relatively affects the dairy, beef and pig industries. Vaccination may restrict costs for fighting the outbreak, but may also end up causing a problem selling the meat subsequently. Researchers hence advise that any strategy needs proper explanation to any trade partner.