Red Tractor pig producers are being urged to check they have uploaded their antibiotic data for the first quarter of 2018, even if they have not used any antibiotics.
The deadline for uploading Q1 data onto the eMB-Pigs database passed on May 12.
A failure to upload the data to eMB-Pigs on a quarterly basis can result in Red Tractor non-conformances, as has already happened in a number of cases. For example, 9% of Red Tractor Pork scheme members incurred non-conformances as a result of not uploading data from quarters 2 and 3 of 2017 by the original November 11, 2017, deadline.
NPA senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford said: “The Q1 2018 deadline has passed and I would urge scheme members to check you have uploaded the data to avoid incurring non-conformances at your next Red Tractor vet visit or inspection. It is important to be aware that you need to complete a submission even if your usage was zero during Q1.”
Producers are reminded that the deadline to upload data from the second quarter of 2018 is August 11. The Q3 deadline is November 11.
Georgina also highlighted the fact that the eMB-pigs benchmarking facility is now live. “Producers logging into their eMB dashboard should now be able to see graphs highlighting how their unit’s antibiotic usage compares to average usage on farms of the same holding category (ie breeder-weaner/ finisher/breed-to-finish),” she said.
“This is a really useful facility and helps focus minds on the challenge of reducing and refining antibiotic usage, while maintaining the health and welfare of your pigs.”