If you keep pigs in the East of England please help eradicate swine dysentery in the region by registering for Eastern Pig Health and signing the SWINE DYSENTERY PRODUCER CHARTER.
Swine dysentery is one of the most economically damaging diseases. If you get it on your unit it will cost more than £10 a finished pig when permanent medication, mortality and non-marketable pigs are added to higher feed costs.
The Charter was set up in East Anglia in 2008 and was designed to allow herd status of swine dysentery to be shared amongst other charter members. In signing up to the charter, members undertake to report to BPEX any swine dysentery outbreaks on their farms and to allow their vets to discuss the cases.
The charter has been successful in reducing the number of cases amongst charter members to zero in 2010. However, swine dysentery is still present in other regions and we must remain vigilant if we wish to remain free of swine dysentery in the region.
What am I committing myself to when I sign the Charter?
You will be agreeing to seek veterinary advice, including diagnostic testing, in the event of suspicion of swine dysentery, to allow your vet to notify the Swine Dysentery Control Centre if swine dysentery is confirmed, and to take sensible measures to eradicate the disease from your unit(s). These are all listed within the terms and conditions of membership.
How can I get further information on swine dysentery?
There is more information about swine dysentery at: http://www.bpex.org.uk/SwineDysentery/Publications.aspx
For any other enquiries please contact the Eastern Pig Health Team by following the link on the left hand side.