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It is generally believed that biosecurity measures in pig production improve performance and health status of the pigs, and may thus decrease the need for antimicrobial treatments. However, limited quantitative data is available to support this hypothesis.
In the present study, 95 randomly selected closed pig herds were visited to quantify the biosecurity status of the herd by means of a risk-based weighted biosecurity scoring system. This score ranges from 0 (= total absence of biosecurity measures) to 100 (= perfect biosecurity). During the same visit, data concerning the herd, farmer and production characteristics and the use of antimicrobials (quantified as treatment incidences) were collected.
The external biosecurity score (measures preventing pathogens from entering the herd) was on average 65/100 (min 45; max 89), whereas the internal biosecurity score (measures reducing within herd spread of pathogens) was on average 52/100 (min 18; max 87). The herd size was positively associated with the external biosecurity score and a negative association was observed between the internal biosecurity score and the age of the buildings as well as the experience of the farmer. These results indicate that biosecurity is generally better implemented in larger herds, in more modern facilities and by younger farmers. A higher overall, external and internal biosecurity score had a significantly positive influence on daily weight gain of fattening pigs (p<0.01). Whereas the internal biosecurity was negatively associated with treatment incidence (p<0.05), indicating an improved biosecurity is associated with a reduction of antimicrobial drug use.
This study demonstrated clear associations between the biosecurity and both production and treatment characteristics in pig production.
Laanen M., Persoons D., Ribbens S., de Jong E., Callens B., Strubbe M., Maes D., Dewulf J. Investigation of the relationship between biosecurity measures and production, healthand treatment-characteristics in pig herds. 4th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management. 2012.
