Assessment of the management practices facilitating the establishment and spread of exotic diseases of pigs in the Sydney region

Schembri, N.; Hart, Ken; Petersen, Robert; Whittington, Richard J.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.00035.x

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Our findings are consistent with reports that suggest smaller producers engage veterinary services on an irregular basis, if at all . Recent studies indicate a lack of knowledge among small‐scale pig producers relating to exotic disease recognition, the risks of swill feeding and the importance of disease reporting, which could put Australia's pork industry at risk with regard to biosecurity and disease introduction . In contrast, our results support reports that producers with large herd sizes are more likely to employ specialist pig veterinarians .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Moreover, it is thought that small‐scale pig production systems in Australia pose a greater risk of exotic disease introduction and spread than the mainstream or commercial pig industry. This perceived higher risk is thought to be related to their lower on‐farm biosecurity standards, their use of saleyards to market pigs and the assumption that they are more likely to feed swill …”

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confidence: 99%

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Demographic and production practices of pig producers trading at saleyards in eastern Australia

et al. 2013

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Objective To gather information on the demographics, motivations, marketing strategies and rearing techniques of producers who trade pigs at livestock markets in eastern Australia. Methods A 2‐page postal survey was administered to 815 pig producers trading pigs at six livestock markets in eastern Australia. Preliminary demographic and managerial practices were qualitatively and quantitatively determined. Logistic regression analysis was used to provide an insight to those practices that could pose a risk for exotic disease introduction and/or spread. Results A response rate of 68.7% (505 survey questionnaires) was achieved. Most respondents (73.1%) resided in regional areas and 65.5% of these were classed as ‘small‐scale’ (<100 sows). Herd size was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with the use of veterinary services, with smaller herds less likely to consult a veterinarian. In addition, peri‐urban producers (24.8%) tended (P = 0.051) to contact veterinarians more frequently than regional producers (15.2%). Motivations for keeping pigs differed by herd size, nationality and producer type. One‐third of respondents trading pigs used more than one method to market pigs, with marketing strategies differing by herd size. Producers with smaller herd sizes kept pigs as a secondary source of income, as a hobby or for home consumption (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Key risk areas for exotic disease introduction and spread identified in this study included lack of veterinary contact, motivations for keeping pigs other than financial, marketing pigs privately with no formal transaction documentation and the co‐production of pigs with ruminant and domestic bird species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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confidence: 99%

Demographic and production practices of pig producers trading at saleyards in eastern Australia

et al. 2013

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“…Although moderate to high level of on-farm biosecurity practices before the H1N1/09 outbreak in humans were identified among respondents, this level, as expected, was higher among larger herds. Previous research suggested that small-scale pig producers had poorer on-farm biosecurity practices, poorer disease knowledge and understanding of swill feeding, and limited veterinary contact (Schembri et al, 2006;Schembri, 2009;Van Metre et al, 2009). Some of the practices that should be improved, especially among smaller farms, are keeping records of farm visitors and training of piggery workers in emergency disease recognition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Hernández‐Jover

Taylor

Holyoake³

et al. 2012

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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Abstract:The Influenza Pandemic (H1N1/09) virus was first reported in humans in Mexico in April 2009 and a pandemic level was declared on 11 th of June 2009 by the World Health Organization (Chan, 2009; WHO, 2009a). Public misconceptions about the transmission of H1N1/09 were caused by the inadequate naming of the disease as 'swine influenza'. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the height of the outbreak in the Australian human population and before the virus was reported in the first piggery in Australia in July 2009 (OIE, 2009b;Holyoake et al., 2011). The aims of this study were to evaluate pig producers' perceptions about the virus and the outbreak financial impact and influence on on-farm biosecurity practices. A questionnaire was designed and posted to Australian Pork Limited (APL) members (n = 460), obtaining responses from 182 producers (39.6%). Pig producers had good general knowledge on potential transmission pathways for H1N1/09 between people, with direct or close contact with a sick person perceived as the most likely pathways. Changes on biosecurity practices, such as asking visitors if they had recently been overseas (27.8%) and not allowing any visitor to inspect their pigs (18.3%), were reported among respondents. In addition, approximately 40% of producers asked their employees to notify flu like symptoms, consulted a veterinarian on H1N1/09 and visited websites to seek information on H1N1/09. A higher adoption of these practices was observed among large (> 100 sows) than small herds. Only 2.9% of 2 | P a g e respondents reported a reduction in pig sales during the outbreak. However, approximately one third of producers reported being financially and emotionally stressed, 38.2% were distressed about the health of their pigs and 16.7% about their own health. The most important sources of information were APL (93%), veterinarians (89%) and the state Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (75%). The first two considered the most trusted sources of information. Television, radio and other farmers were considered more important sources of information by small herds and veterinarians by larger herds. Producers believed that the H1N1/09 outbreak was better managed by the pork industry (89.9%) than by the health authorities (58.8%), and the on-going communication with APL was the main strength of the outbreak management. Communication and extension programs in future outbreaks should consider the needs of all sectors of the pig industry to increase their effectiveness.

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“…Saleyards pose a high risk for EAD spread because different species of animals from different origins come into direct or indirect contact. The risk of spread is further increased by the considerable lack of knowledge of EAD by many pig producers who sell pigs at saleyards and because, after sale, animals travel varying distances and directions to abattoirs and other producers' farms 6 . Saleyards were identified as a key factor in facilitating disease spread in the 2001 FMD outbreak in Europe 2,7,8 .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The risk of spread is further increased by the considerable lack of knowledge of EAD by many pig producers who sell pigs at saleyards and because, after sale, animals travel varying distances and directions to abattoirs and other producers' farms. 6 Saleyards were identified as a key factor in facilitating disease spread in the 2001 FMD outbreak in Europe. 2,7,8 It is vital that an EAD is promptly detected, enabling a timely response to safeguard human and animal health, as well as the economic viability of animal industries.…”

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confidence: 99%

Assessment of current disease surveillance activities for pigs post‐farmgate in New South Wales

Schemann

Hernández‐Jover

Hall³

et al. 2010

Aust Veterinary J

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Assessment of the management practices facilitating the establishment and spread of exotic diseases of pigs in the Sydney region

Cited by 20 publications

References 12 publications

Demographic and production practices of pig producers trading at saleyards in eastern Australia

Demographic and production practices of pig producers trading at saleyards in eastern Australia

Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Assessment of current disease surveillance activities for pigs post‐farmgate in New South Wales

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