I am confident that this strategy will be fully supported by all involved in the industry and it will result in a significant improvement in pig health and welfare. It will also make a significant contribution to the governments Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and have benefits for food quality food safety the environment and economic sustainability

Stewart Houston Chairman, BPEX and NPA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Improving the health and welfare of British pigs is vital to ensure the competitiveness and thereby sustainability of the industry. This will benefit pigs. producers, the supply chain, government and the rural economy.The Strategy for British Pig Health and Welfare has been devised to fit with the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (AHWS) published by Defra, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government. The industry supports this government initiative and will work to ensure it is effectively implemented in the pig sector.The Strategy for British Pig Health and Welfare identifies 9 Priority Areas for Action. These are:Establish a national structure to provide the focus, drive and planning for a national pig health improvement programmeEstablish the present health, welfare and disease status of the British pig herdEnhance disease surveillance information available to pig producersUndertake intervention studies on disease control and eradication and support health improvement programmes with adviceDevelop nationally-recommended biosecurity protocolsDevelop national protocols for new disease prevention and eradication programmesQuantify risks and the consequences of emerging pig issuesEnhance training in disease identification and treatmentIncrease the programme of targeted pig disease research.This strategy clearly identifies where the 9 Priorities for Action fit within the AHWS.The Priorities for Action will form the basis of the British Pig Health and Welfare Improvement Programme. The implementation of this programme will be the responsibility of a new British Pig Health and Welfare Council. The Council will consist of representatives of all stakeholders and be chaired independently.

The British Pig Health and Welfare Council will be established by BPEX. It is planned that the Council would take on the role of the Sector Group for Pigs as detailed in the AHWS.

The British Pig Health and Welfare Improvement Programme will be driven by results. Success will be achieved if the health and welfare of British pigs shows a demonstrable and sustained improvement over the next 10 years and this makes a positive contribution to the profitability of pig production. The Council will monitor improvements on a regular basis and encourage the adoption of new methods of measurement where appropriate.To read the full 18 Page report Click Here (104KB PDF, opens on new browser)

Source: BPEX - December 2003