Working with small-scale pig keepers. Part 1: encouraging legislative adherence

Background: Threats such as African swine fever (ASF) are in close proximity to the UK; therefore, it is a crucial time to protect the British pig herd from exotic notifiable disease, which can be best achieved through legislative adherence. This is especially the case for laws around the feeding of pigs, which remains the likely route for ASF to enter the UK. Keepers of pigs on a small scale, including keepers of pet pigs, may show variable adherence to the relevant legislation. Furthermore, general farm practitioners, often responsible for supervising small-scale pig holdings, may be less familiar with legislative requirements than those vets who deal solely with pigs. Despite this, legal requirements must be met on all holdings and overseeing vets are key to encouraging legislative compliance among keepers.

Aim of the article: This article, the first in a two-part series on working with small-scale pig keepers, serves as a reference for vets so that they can provide their clients with up-to-date advice on how to keep pigs within the legal framework for the UK. It also offers advice on how this information could be shared among pig keepers. Part two, which will be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will focus on how we, as vets, can encourage antibiotic stewardship on smallholdings.