UK pig producers are stepping up biosecurity against the growing threat of African Swine Fever – but further improvements are needed, suggests a survey.
Some 53% of producers have already tightened biosecurity, according to biosecurity specialists Roam Technology. But 13% of respondents said they did not feel prepared for an ASF outbreak, while 39% said they were only partly prepared.
The study was based mainly on responses from large indoor farrow-to-finish units with more than 1,000 sows. Measures include stricter visitor protocols, fewer visitors and enhanced hygiene procedures.
Visitor controls
While farms scored an average 72 out of 100 for biosecurity, the survey also highlighted areas for improvement. Some 43% acknowledged that further action would reduce the risk of disease entering their units.
Basic biosecurity measures were widely embedded across the sector. Every respondent enforced pig-free downtime for visitors, while 91% operated visitor logbooks and supplied dedicated personal protective equipment.
A further 87% had disinfection points and dedicated loading areas. But fewer than half of farms had both perimeter fencing and controlled entry points. Just 35% operated separate clean and dirty vehicle routes. Only 39% had wheel-washing facilities.
The survey also identified inconsistencies within farms. Around half used foot dips between buildings, while only 70% operated all-in/all-out production systems. Some 15% reported no specific measures to reduce disease spread between pig groups. Water hygiene emerged as another weak point. Only 18% of producers regularly disinfected water lines daily or weekly, while 22% carried out no routine cleaning or disinfection of water systems.
Nigel Bennet, biosecurity specialist at Roam Technology, said: “It is very positive to see the UK pig sector taking proactive steps to protect herd health in the face of the ASF threat. “What stands out is the strength of existing biosecurity foundations across most farms, particularly in visitor control, hygiene practices and structured farm procedures. This provides a strong platform for ongoing resilience.”
Water quality
Mr Bennet said water hygiene offered an opportunity for relatively simple gains. “Only 18% of farms reported regular disinfection of water lines, which suggests an opportunity for improvement in a critical but sometimes overlooked area. Maintaining clean drinking water systems is essential, particularly in indoor, higher-density production systems where bacterial build-up and biofilm formation can occur.”
Ensuring water quality at the point of consumption was achievable, said Mr Bennet. But it required consistent attention to detail and appropriate product choice, focused on outcomes rather than cost alone.
“ASF preparedness is not a one-off exercise, but an ongoing process of review and refinement. The sector is already doing many of the right things and is now focusing on where incremental improvements can further strengthen resilience.”