January 2, 2024

 

Recommendations by researchers focus on disease risks posed by mixed pig/poultry farms in UK

 

 

Recommendations have been published by researchers from UK and Australian universities for the reduction of the disease risks posed to public health by intensive pig and poultry farms that are situated in close proximity to each other.

 

Such sites are also known as mixed pig/poultry farms.

 

The research was conducted between the United Kingdom's University of Winchester and Australia's Griffith University, with a focus on mixed pig/poultry farms in the UK.

 

Avian and swine influenza are of the most concerning due to several factors, including the numerous type A influenza virus subtypes hosted in these animals, as type A is the most widespread.

 

Other factors include the vast numbers of farmed pigs and poultry; how farmed poultry and pigs are kept; the presence of both domesticated and wild birds and swine; and the close proximity of farmed pigs and poultry to humans.

 

Many species of natural avian influenza hosts are migratory species, which facilitates the international spread of AIVs (avian influenza viruses).

 

Pigs are natural hosts for several influenza viruses, though of fewer types than birds.

 

The following eight factors account for the higher risk of viral infection among domesticated mammals:

 

    - High population numbers among farmed pigs, farmed chickens and humans;

 

    - How the vast majority of farmed pigs and chickens are kept;

 

    - How the vast majority of farmed pigs and chickens are bred;

 

    - Close proximity of farmed pigs and chickens to humans (staff);

 

    - The globalised and international nature of industrialised intensive animal farming (IIAF);

 

    - The high land/resource requirements of IIAF disrupting ecosystems and increasing proximity to wild animals;

 

    - The locations of IIAF operations;

 

    - Misperceptions of low risks to and posed by farmed animals.

Biosecurity practices alone are proving insufficient at lowering the risk of zoonotic disease to a manageable level, as demonstrated by indoor systems with good biosecurity that are still acquiring influenzas.

 

The researchers strongly discourage granting any planning applications for new or expanding industrialised intensive animal farms in the UK, especially poultry and pig farms or a mix thereof, and especially in areas with high-existing concentrations of intensive animal farms.

 

Instead, they recommend that efforts should concentrate on supporting arable agriculture (or transitions toward this), and on de-intensifying remaining animal farms.

 

As a recommended first step, stocking densities should be lowered to around five meat chickens/m2 (11 kg/m2) and to one pig/1.5 m2 (assuming a 100kg pig).

 

These recommendations, according to the researchers, are essential for minimising stress and safeguarding immune system health, and therefore, essential for minimising zoonoses risks. They include the reduction of "clusters of operations" (IIAF farms that are in close proximity) to reduce transmission risks, as dust particles can carry viruses and be wind-carried between farms.

 

There are also calls in the research for improved breeding practices, away from a focus on maximising productivity, and toward lowered susceptibility to infection and optimal overall health and welfare.

 

- Agriland