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CorePig - Prevention of selected diseases and parasites in organic pig herds – by means of a HACCP based management and surveillance programme

Project

Risks

This project contributes to the research aim 'Risks'. Which funding institutions are active for this aim? What are the sub-aims? Take a look:
Risks


Project code: 1904
Contract period: 01.07.2007 - 31.12.2010
Purpose of research: Applied research

The overall objective of the project is to promote animal health and welfare in organic pig herds in Europe. The variation in pig health between organic herds is likely to be caused by different management routines in the herds. To improve animal welfare it is therefore important to investigate the relation between management and parasite/disease occurrence, and based on this, to develop a disease management tool applicable on farm. This will be achieved by carrying out the following three components: • To conduct an international knowledge synthesis for identifying needs for future research into disease and parasite prevention in organic pig production • To estimate risk factors for selected diseases and parasites in pigs in European organic herds by conducting an epidemiological survey in European organic pig herds • To develop and evaluate a HACCP based management and surveillance system for organic pig herds that will enable the organic pig farmer to prevent selected pig diseases and welfare problems by monitoring and controlling the risk factors The results obtained in this study will benefit animal health and welfare of pigs in organic production systems, as well as the productivity in these herds. Knowledge of risk factors for disease in organic pigs will facilitate efforts to improve animal health in organic pig production, and organic pig producers will benefit from improved animal welfare on-farm by applying an efficient and feasible disease management tool. This will assist in promoting more sustainable farming systems and supporting the rural economy with special relevance to small farmers. The expected improvement in animal welfare in organic pig production is expected to enhance consumer interest in organic pork, and consequently lead to an increased market share of organic meat for the benefit of the economy in organic pig production. Furthermore, the project aims to identify relevant research needs related to parasite and disease management in organic pig production. This can be applied to target future research to the actual problems experienced in commercial organic production. In short the project produced the following: • A knowledge synthesis reviewing the structure of organic pig production and current health monitoring systems applied throughout Europe were prepared. Specific chapters reviewing health and welfare problems and associated risk factors, for sows, suckling piglets, weaned piglets and fattening pigs, were included. • An epidemiological survey was carried through in six countries with participation of 104 organic pig herds. This included a description of the situation across and within all countries regarding farm characteristics, housing, nutrition, hygiene, preventive veterinary procedures as well as treatments and productivity, which were found to vary significantly within and especially between countries. • The survey revealed large differences in parasite prevalence and infection intensities within and between countries, but overall Ascaris suum (large round worm) was one of the most common intestinal worms. • Four generic HACCP inspired management tools for surveillance and control of parasites, piglet mortality, weaning diarrhoea, and sow farrowing and reproductive problems were produced. Problems were specified and risk factors were identified, based on the knowledge synthesis as well as expert opinion from participants of CorePIG and local advisers. The 5 of 31 HACCP inspired management tools were applied in 32 farms. The main conclusions of an evaluation procedure were that the farmers and advisors recognised the potential of the HACCP inspired management tool as a surveillance and control programme. Furthermore, for the majority of farms the risk profiles had improved for the better throughout the application period. • The achieved knowledge has been – and are still - disseminated as project reports, per reviewed scientific papers, national farmer magazines, oral and poster presentations at workshops and conferences and through), distribution of leaflet and booklets as well as for the HACCP inspired management tools as MS Excel tools.

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Excutive institution

Aarhus University (AU)

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