Industry views are being sought on the newly launched contingency plan for the control and elimination of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) which has been drawn up by AHDB Pork and Defra and backed by other pig sector organisations.
Described as a “step forward” in the move to make PEDv a notifiable disease, the plan will be open for views to be lodged by the industry for the next month via a page on the Defra website.
“Though reporting the disease would be compulsory, there would be no slaughter of animals and no movement restrictions,” said AHDB Pork. “If the industry is agreeable, the new rules would come into operation later this year.”
It’s believed that giving the disease this status would aid rapid diagnosis and prompt action in the event of an outbreak.
AHDB Pork veterinary manager Martin Smith (pictured above) has been working with Defra, the Pig Health and Welfare Council, the NPA and other industry organisations on tackling PEDv should it ever reach the UK.
“PEDv can be a devastating disease as has been seen in the USA where it has killed millions of piglets,” he said. “We want to keep it out of the UK but if it does get in we want to be ready.
“We have been watching the way in which the Canadians have been dealing with it and a collaborative approach involving the whole industry has worked well for them so we are following the same approach.
“We all believe that making PEDv notifiable would aid the efforts to control and eliminate the disease should it arrive.”