Understanding Pig Health and Biosecurity in NSW
Pig Health and Biosecurity in NSW
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with industry and in consultation with pig owners and producers across NSW, has recently undertaken the NSW Pig Health and Biosecurity project (PHBP) and developed a suite of resources to support on-farm pig health and biosecurity practices and help safeguard against the continuing threat of pest and disease introduction and spread.
About the NSW pig health and biosecurity project
The ongoing threat of an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak in the pig sector due to the widespread and continuing transmission of African swine fever (ASF) through mainland China and south-east Asia remain strong. In response to this threat, DPI, in partnership with Charles Sturt University and industry, has undertaken the PHBP where they have consulted with pig owners and producers to better understand their current biosecurity management practices and ensure that they are better prepared for an emergency animal disease outbreak such as ASF. The 3-staged project has been structed as follows:
Stage 1
Pig owner and producer insights
An online survey and in-depth discussions with pig owners and producers were undertaken to better understand pig health and biosecurity practices and planning in NSW.
Stage 2
Biosecurity planning development
Survey findings were used to design and implement pig owner workshops and support the development of pig biosecurity management planning resources. Click HERE for details.
Stage 3
Online survey
A follow-up survey and project review will help with ongoing improvements, implementation and expansion of the project.
Pig biosecurity management planning resources
Findings from Stage 1 of the project has led to the development of support tools, resources and pig owner workshops.
The Biosecurity management planning toolkit was developed as part of a NSW Department of Primary Industries led initiative, partnering with:
- Charles Sturt University’s Graham Centre to better understand the practices, experiences and biosecurity needs of pig owners and producers
- Local Land Services, Australian Pork Limited, the Australian Pork industry and Commonwealth ASF liaisons, and SunPork Farms to develop and field test a biosecurity management planning toolkit.
The pig biosecurity management planning resources were developed in consultation with the NSW Small Commercial Producer Group, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia, Rivalea, Holyoake Consulting and all the pig owners and producers who were part of and provided feedback in field testing activities.
The following resources were developed in partnership with the Pork Industry ASF liaison Officers and have been tested by pig owners and producers state-wide:
- Pig pest and disease entry pathways graphic with key veterinary contacts (post card and poster size)
- 8-point biosecurity checklist graphic with key veterinary contacts
- Pig biosecurity management plan:
- Checklist
- Template
- Worked example
- Information guide
- Pig health and biosecurity record keeping:
- Visitor log template
- Treatment record template
- Deaths record template
- Pest animal and rodent pest control record template
- Pigs introduced, born and sold
To access these resources, click here.
Working in partnership
The PHBP is a DPI led initiative, conducted in partnership with Local Land Services, Charles Sturt University, industry and in collaboration with pig owners and producers across NSW and neighbouring jurisdictions.
DPI partnered with Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Graham Centre to undertake the social research activities of this project. All research activities have been conducted with Human Ethics approvals from CSU.
A pig biosecurity management planning resource toolkit was developed by DPI in partnership with Local Land Services, Australian Pork Limited, the Australian Pork industry and Commonwealth ASF liaisons and SunPork Farms.
The toolkit was developed in consultation with several groups and organisations, including the NSW Small Commercial Producer Group, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia, Rivalea, Holyoake Consulting. In addition, the pig owners and producers who participated and provided feedback in a field test activity were integral in ensuring the resources developed and tested in the field and appropriate for pig owners and producers of all herd sizes, capacity and level of biosecurity.
Producer insights
The PHBP, undertaken in partnership with Charles Sturt University, has been looking at ways to better connect with and actively support pig owners and producers state-wide. It is also looking at the role of biosecurity management planning to protect against pests, weeds and diseases and better prepare for an emergency animal disease outbreak, such as ASF.
Stage 1: Pig owner and producer insights
A survey targeted towards NSW pig owners and producers, was conducted in 2020 to help us better understand people’s opinions and practices on pig health, biosecurity planning and emergency pig disease preparedness.
The survey helped to identify the challenges faced by pig owners and producers and the ways in which these challenges influenced pig biosecurity practices.
Researchers from Charles Sturt University’s Graham Centre spoke with pig owners and producers seeking a more detailed understanding of their experiences and insights into their management practices. These insights have been invaluable in helping us to understand how we can better support the industry and protect our pigs against African swine fever.
Stage 3: Online survey
A second online pig health and biosecurity survey for pig owners and producers in NSW will be open from September to October 2021.
We’re keen to understand some of the ongoing challenges still being faced, how these are influencing pig health and biosecurity practices and how we can continue to improve our resources to support pig owners, producers and their operations. Click here to take the survey
