A survey aimed at small-scale pig keepers, including smallholders, pet pig keepers and hobby keepers, has been launched today (Monday 20 July) by the UK government and devolved administrations.
The survey forms part of the UK’s campaign to combat the introduction and spread of the pig disease African swine fever. It aims to find out more about what small-scale pig keepers already know about the disease, as well as asking about their feeding and biosecurity practices and what sources they refer to for guidance on keeping pigs.
The results of the survey will be used to improve information available to pig keepers to help protect the health of their pigs and the UK pig industry.
There has never been an outbreak of African swine fever in the UK. The risk of exposure to the UK pig population is currently considered to be low, but is highly dependent on the level of biosecurity on individual pig premises.
The survey can be found here and closes on 31 August 2020. You can find out more about African swine fever and how to report suspect swine fever here.
This survey has been launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, who are working collaboratively to raise awareness of the risks of African swine fever to the UK.
20 July 2020/ DEFRA/ United Kingdom.
https://www.gov.uk