BPEX has issued a fresh warning to UK pig producers, stating that as the threat of PEDv is getting ever closer, with more unconfirmed outbreaks being reported in Ukraine, so biosecurity throughout the UK needs to be “stepped up”.
The Pig Health and Welfare Committee disease sub-group is due to meet on Friday this week for an update on the latest situation across Europe, a session which will be followed by an international webinar.
BPEX vet team manager Martin Smith said that the webinar will include representatives from Canada, the USA, Spain, France, the Netherlands, England, Scotland and Eire.
“The aim is to update everyone on the situation and share the latest knowledge, which will include horizon scanning and what’s happening with the Ukrainian situation,” he said, adding that the proximity of the Polish border, together with the transport links across the EU, was a cause for concern.
“We must start ramping up the biosecurity in this country and producers need to be aware of the potential dangers.”
The warning followed a round-table session, held under the auspices of the Pig Health and Welfare Council, which identified a series of actions to be developed by key industry organisations. These included a contingency plan should PEDv actually arrive in the UK.
BPEX added that the contingency plan is now well under way and is due to be launched in the Spring.