Scottish Pig Producers Back New Pig Health Charter

The Scottish Pig Industry is highlighting its on-going commitment to animal health and welfare by supporting the creation of a Scottish Pig Health Charter.

The level of support for the creation of the new Charter was evident at Quality Meat Scotland’s pig conference held at the end of 2015 when the Scottish pig producers attending were 100% united in their commitment to back it.

The Scottish Pig Health Charter will further enhance the range of measures already in place to protect, monitor and improve pig health on Scottish farms and add weight to the existing Scottish Pig Health Scheme, run by QMS.

Among the benefits the Charter will deliver include the creation of health profiles of pig units in different areas along with the geographical mapping of the regional distribution of diseases.  The Charter will also help support a rapid response through the Scottish Pig Disease Control Centre (SPDCC) in the case of any outbreak of disease, in order to control and limit the spread.

Information about the charter has this month been sent to pig farmers and vets throughout Scotland who have been asked to return the signed document by April 1.

“The Scottish pig industry has an enviable track record in terms of animal health and welfare and the establishment of this new health charter is a very welcome further development,” said Jim McLaren, Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland.

“Initiatives such as this which improve pig health make total sense, not only in terms of further improving welfare but also in terms of the efficiency and productivity benefits they bring to our national herd.”