Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th January 2019
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Farmers urged to warn public about risk of feeding pigs
The NPA has issued a call to the Government to review its outdated feral pig plan.
NPA urges pig producers to put up signs around their premises

The National Pig Association (NPA) is urging farmers to warn the public about the risk of feeding pigs.

The call comes in response to the increasing risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) entering the UK. The disease is currently spreading throughout Europe and has also been identified in China.

People feeding pigs infected meat, either deliberately or accidentally, is thought to be one of the most likely ways for ASF to reach pigs. It was also identified as the most likely cause of the 2000 swine fever outbreak.

To help spread the message, AHDB Pork has produced free signs designed to be displayed next to roads, lay-bys and public footpaths. These are available to request from comms@ahdb.org.uk

“We know there are many ways the ASF virus could get into the country, so it is absolutely critical that the pig industry takes all the precautions it can to keep it away from pigs,” said NPA chief executive Zoe Davis.

“We urge all producers, particularly those with units next to roads, lay-bys and public footpaths to put up the signs and send a clear message to the general public.”

Another likely way for ASF to enter the UK is through wild board eating contaminated meat either fed or discarded by the public. To help prevent this from happening, the AHDB has launched a social media campaign to #KeepWildBoarWild.

The campaign stresses that while feeding wild boar might seem helpful ‘it can be dangerous for their health and spread diseases that affect all pigs’. It cautions that boar soon become used to being fed and may then venture into local towns, wreaking havoc on the roads and raiding bins.

The NPA has issued a call to the Government to review its outdated feral pig plan and take more responsibility for the management of the UK’s increasing population of wild pigs. 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."