Free foot dip signs are now available to pig producers to help reduce the risk of disease spread on pig units.
“With the threat of exotic and emerging diseases such as African Swine Flu (ASF) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv), biosecurity on farm is becoming more and more important,” explained Martin Smith, AHDB Pork technical veterinary team manager.
“We felt that the foot dip signs would work well alongside the popular no entry gate signs produced by AHDB Pork.”
Martin says that taking simple steps such as encouraging visitors to dip their boots before entering a unit or reminding staff to use the foot dip between different sheds will pay dividends.
“Putting up signs to encourage best practice is simple and cost effective but could be really beneficial in terms of stopping disease from entering and spreading around the unit as well as to other holdings,” he added.
“I’d strongly advise producers to take all the precautionary steps possible to maximise productivity and maintain the health and welfare of their stock,” concluded Martin.
Producers can request the signs free of charge by emailing Pork.KT@ahdb.org.uk or calling 0247 647 8792. For more on health and biosecurity there are a number of AHDB Pork factsheets available at pork.ahdb.org.uk/pig-production/biosecurity/.
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