Farm Animals

Pig Biosecurity and Disease Prevention Welfare Links

Good biosecurity on pig farms reduces disease pressure and the welfare costs of infection and treatment.

Key Facts

African Swine Fever remains a major global threat to pig populations and welfare
Foot-and-mouth disease causes severe lameness and oral lesions with significant suffering
PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) is endemic in many pig-producing nations
Biosecurity measures include controlled visitor access, disinfection stations and quarantine of new stock
Vaccination programmes tailored to farm disease profile reduce disease incidence significantly

Welfare Considerations

Infectious diseases cause severe suffering in pigs and often necessitate mass culling in outbreak situations. Robust biosecurity prevents disease entry, reduces the need for antibiotic treatment and protects animals from painful illnesses. Investment in biosecurity is also an investment in animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare certification that includes robust biosecurity standards
Choose pork from farms demonstrating low antibiotic use as a welfare and biosecurity indicator
Advocate for increased government investment in animal disease surveillance
Learn about ASF biosecurity from the Pig Health and Welfare Council resources