Welcome to Eastern Pig Health
Eastern Pig Health (EPH) aims to improve the health of pigs in the region by supporting activity and co-ordination between farmers, veterinarians and other allied industry. The aim of the programme is to work together, share experiences and identify and overcome the key disease challenges in the region to make improvements to health more sustainable. The initiative is being funded by BPEX non-levy funds and the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and is managed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
What can I expect to gain from the scheme?
- An improvement in biosecurity across the region
- An on-line map of pig units containing information on herd health status
- Establishment of disease alerts to inform you of new outbreaks of disease in your area
- The further development of the swine dysentery producer charter
- Better communication across all parts of the supply chain
- Decision tools to help evaluate the costs and benefits of on-farm improvements
- Access to diagnostic support - click here
The main health focuses for this scheme are Swine Dysentery, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. However, improving biosecurity across the region, including on farm and at abattoirs, will all be key to the project’s success. The allied industries in the region have also expressed a wish to be actively involved in the scheme.
How do I join EPH?
To join EPH please follow the link on the left hand side (“Producer registration”). If you have already registered for BPEX services in the past, including ZNCP, you only have to enter your username and password on the "login here" page. The following outlines what you need to do to gain full membership of EPH:
1. Register and sign the conditions of membership, including the swine dysentery producer charter
2. Generate disclosure forms to allow your vet(s) to disclose disease status details to EPH (this as done as part of the registration process)
3. Ask your vet to complete the vet survey at your next visit. Veterinary time is compensated through the initiative.
Once your vet has entered information about the health status of your unit electronically, you will have full membership to EPH and will be able to view the disease status of other registered users across the region.
For help and advice on registering for Eastern Pig Health please use the contact us page.
Eastern Pig Health will provide all the support you need, for free. In addition, a steering group will ensure best use of resources and BPEX will coordinate the project to maximise effectiveness. We will not be telling you how to run your pig unit but we do ask you to register for the initiative and to communicate with fellow members of the initiative.
It’s YOUR initiative, YOUR pigs, YOUR future.
For help, support and information please contact the Eastern Pig Health team.
Information for veterinary surgeons
If your veterinary practice has been invited to take part in our Vet Survey of producers in the East of England region please click here to login and complete the survey. This survey is for completion by veterinary surgeons and not by producers.