The first of a series of specialised guides to help the industry cope with an outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) is now available on the BPEX website.
Produced by BPEX on behalf of the Pig Health and Welfare Council, there will eventually be “around a dozen” Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for producers to follow, with regular updates planned according to situation changes and improving knowledge of how to control PED.
“In the event of PED arriving on our shores these documents will outline best practise and methods of control,” said BPEX veterinary manager Martin Smith, adding that the SOPs will be relevant for all producers, indoor and outdoor, plus processors and the allied industry.
“The dozen SOPs will cover dealing with visitors on site and vehicles, plus one about manure and another dealing with how fallen stock should be handled.”
They are based on the “success” experiences of the Canadian industry in controlling the disease.
“The main purpose is to detail what actions each area of the industry needs to take and when,” said Mr Smith.
“We will also be producing a decision tree for producers in the event of an outbreak, with a step-by-step guide showing what to do and flow charts of what information needs to be given to whom and when.
“Things are slightly different for smallholders so a booklet is being produced for them and another covering what actions hauliers need to take. The Canadians have already demonstrated that good biosecurity, practised by the whole industry, can contain and control PED.”
