Statement about LA-MRSA in piglets in eastern England
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) have issued a statement about the isolation of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) from piglets in eastern England as reported in the Veterinary Record (http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/176/6/151.3.extract). The joint statement by the BVA and PVS reads: “While there is no official requirement to test for MRSA, the […]
Young Yorkshire pig breeder takes triple title
‘Simply unstoppable’ is the only way to describe Yorkshire-based pig breeder and showman Mark Horsley’s success at last weekend’s English Winter Fair national livestock showcase, Stafford, where he took three top title in Live and Carcase Hall classes with Pietrain X pigs reared at his farm at Skirpenbeck near York. Starting off the event Mr […]
Do your pigs have a drink problem?
Some pig farmers have a drink problem. Despite providing enough drinkers – often exceeding the official recommendations – their pigs are not always getting sufficient water. This is holding back growth rates and impacting profits because feed intake is affected by water consumption. Drinking patterns are related to water flow-rates, type of drinker and, crucially, […]
BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS) to stay until 2015
It has been confirmed that the BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS) will be operating in abattoirs until summer 2015. However, the review of the carcase data reporting system is ongoing and work is progressing on a transition to an alternative system. Emma Bailey-Beech, BPEX Health information and Food Safety Coordinator, explains there are currently two […]
First case of MRSA found in UK pig
The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics is calling on the government to urgently carry out a full MRSA survey of the UK pig industry to determine how widespread the superbug is after the first-ever case in a UK pig was found in Northern Ireland [1][2]. The Alliance is also calling for immediate restrictions to be […]
Rapid diagnosis to help fight against pig disease epidemic
2014 has seen a devastating epidemic of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) in the USA, affecting more than 30 states and driving up the price of pork products. Later today, Professor Wim van der Poel will tell delegates at the Society for Applied Microbiology annual Summer Conference how veterinary laboratories in Europe are working together to […]
Pig industry moves to red alert over PEDv transatlantic killer
The British pig industry is on red alert, in a bid to prevent an outstandingly virulent pig disease from entering the country. Until more is known about transmission routes of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus, the industry is focusing in particular on a specialist feed ingredient for young pigs—spray-dried porcine plasma. Positive polymerase chain reaction tests […]
Time to say goodbye to the ‘weakest link’
The association hopes when abattoirs see how they are rated against their competitors, the poorest performers will be encouraged to invest in improved lorry-washing facilities. Many pig producers and hauliers consider sub-standard lorry washes to be the weakest link in the industry’s armoury against endemic diseases such as swine dysentery, and imported diseases such as […]
Keep vigilant against swine dysentery
At this time of year, the risk of dysentery is high and cases have been found in Yorkshire. “The disease can spread rapidly both within and between units, particularly in the current cold, wet conditions,” warns BPEX’s interim veterinary programme manager, Helen Clarke. “With such an economically damaging infection, it is imperative any suspected symptoms […]
