Ensure piggery biosecurity is top priority
The Darling Livestock Health and Pest Authority is reminding pig owners to employ sound biosecurity practices, following concerns that some owners may be feeding scraps from local supermarkets and restaurants to pigs.
Col Betts, Darling LHPA senior ranger, says that while there aren’t major commercial piggeries in the Darling LHPA there are a number of small pig operations and pigs kept as pets.
"Regardless of the scale, it’s vitally important that pig owners implement biosecurity practices, particularly the prohibition on swill feeding.
"Swill feeding involves the feeding of food scraps and other waste material to pigs. This practice is banned in all states in Australia, as it is a potential source for exotic disease outbreaks," Mr Betts said.
In 2001, swill feeding caused a major epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom. The Australian Government has estimated that the cost of a foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in Australia could be as much as $13 billion (Industry and Investment NSW).
Mr Betts says there are a number of restrictions on what can be feed to pigs in Australia to help prevent an outbreak of foot-and-mouth.
"It is against the law to feed ‘prohibited substances’ including feed meat, meat products, or anything that has been in contact with meat to pigs. These restrictions apply to all pigs, including pet pigs.
"Pig owners often feed food waste, such as bakery products, to pigs as this is a cheaper alternative. However, it’s important to ensure the food waste is clean, free from meat or meat products and not contaminated with any chemical or pesticide residues."
To be assured that purchased feedstuffs are safe, pig owners can request a Vendor Declaration for feedstuffs.
The practice of swill feeding can also introduce other serious diseases, such as swine vesicular disease, African swine fever and classical swine fever.
For more information on piggery biosecurity and swill feeding, contact your local LHPA office.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378