Pig producers in the UK have been warned they could be without pigs for at least 40 days if African Swine Fever reaches the country, and the recent outbreak in Spain has renewed calls for stronger biosecurity and contingency plans.
While the immediate risk to UK farms remains the same, the latest cases highlight the scale of disruption that could be caused if ASF were detected here. Julian Spurry, group technical director at Livetech Systems, said the outbreak highlights why producers must continue to be prepared.
“The cases in Spain are part of the ongoing ASF situation across Europe,” he said. “They highlight the potential impact an outbreak could have here and why producers must stay ahead of the threat of ASF and other diseases.”
Spurry said if an outbreak occurs, pig farms within restricted areas may not be able to move pigs for at least 40 days. He warned that producers should now consider how such restrictions would impact space availability, pig flow, staffing and overall business continuity.
“Pressure-tested contingency plans are now critical to business resilience and returning to disease-free status as quickly as possible,” he said.
Mr Spurry added that the most likely route for ASF to enter the UK remains through contaminated, illegally imported or undeclared meat, rather than the movement of live animals. To limit the risk of on-farm spread, he urged producers to review all key transmission routes, including the movement of people and vehicles, hygiene procedures and site layout.
“Effective biosecurity does not necessarily require large investments,” he said. “Small, practical improvements can make a big difference if applied consistently.”
Mr Spurry also highlighted the increased risk posed by wild boar and other pig populations, which are difficult to monitor and control. He warned that nose-to-nose contact could provide a route for disease transmission beyond the farm gate.
“ASF poses no risk to human health, but it is highly contagious among pigs,” he said. “In high-risk areas, measures such as double fencing to prevent intrusion may be justified.”
Breeders of rare breeds of pigs are also encouraged to ensure that their animals are properly registered and appropriate quarantine facilities are available to prevent pigs from being culled depending on the epidemiological situation.
Throughout the year, AHDB has partnered with Livetec Systems and the National Pig Association to host veterinarian-led workshops to improve ASF preparedness. Mr. Spurry said external evaluations can help identify weaknesses that might otherwise be overlooked.
“It can be difficult to find vulnerabilities on your farm,” he said. “Regular reviews of biosecurity allow producers to make steady improvements. There is time now and they should take advantage of it.”
