Piggery biosecurity is top priority
Recent audits of Riverina piggeries have confirmed that biosecurity is a top priority, according to the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority.
Sally Osborne, Riverina LHPA ranger, says the LHPA regularly audits piggeries to ensure pig owners are employing sound biosecurity practices.
"There are a number of commercial piggeries in the Riverina LHPA, as well as smaller pig operations and pigs that are kept as pets," she said.
"Regardless of the scale, it’s vitally important that pig owners implement biosecurity practices, including 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.
"We were pleased that there were no cases of swill feeding discovered in recent audits, which demonstrates that pig owners are aware of the restriction and have been applying it."
In 2001, swill feeding caused a major epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom. It resulted in the deaths of over 10 million sheep and cattle and had devastating financial and emotional effects on rural communities.
Ms Osborne says there are a number of restrictions on what can be feed to pigs in Australia to help prevent disease outbreaks.
"It’s 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 pigs kept as pets," Ms Osborne said.
"Permitted feed for pigs include commercially prepared pig feeds, grains, and certain food wastes, such as bread, fruit, vegetables, Australian milk and bi-products. 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.
For more information on piggery biosecurity and swill feeding, contact your local LHPA office.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378