Abstract
Objective:
To assess expert opinions on the effectiveness, practicability, and sustainability of potential biosecurity measures recommended for the semi-intensive pig farms in Hong Kong.
Method:
A total of 67 biosecurity measures listed on FAO guidelines to prevent African swine fever in smallholder farms were used. The measures were classified into eight sections: Introduction of New Pigs; Feed and Water; Bedding; Vehicles and Equipment; Deliveries and Supplies; Personnel and Training; Wildlife, Insects, and Hunting; and Manure Management. Five local experts (four veterinarians and one veterinary assistant working with pig farmers in Hong Kong) filled a questionnaire scoring each of the measures using the Likert Scale (1 - 5). Six key performance indicators were used to explain the effectiveness (measure impact and persistence in reducing risk), practicability (implementation speed and cost), and sustainability (potential to disrupt production and stakeholder acceptance).
Results:
Overall, experts believed measures related to the eight sections could be highly efficient in preventing the risk of disease introduction and spread (median score ≥4) except measure for preventing rodents from accessing stored food (median score: 3.5), limiting feed spillage (median=3.5), and keeping away poultry and livestock from pig pens (median=3). As for practicability and sustainability, the median of all scores per section was high only for the measures related to the introduction of new pigs (median=4) and feeding and water (median=4), respectively. Among the single measures, only three measures: “demarcating areas for vehicles and equipment cleaning”, “controlling personal traffic”, and “ensuring appropriate dressing and washing protocols for workers before entering farms” had the highest median score difference between efficiency (median=5) and sustainability (median=2.5).
Conclusion:
Our study provides the foundation information to improve current biosecurity measure recommendation and develop practical strategies tailored to the needs of semi-intensive pig farmers
in Hong Kong.
To assess expert opinions on the effectiveness, practicability, and sustainability of potential biosecurity measures recommended for the semi-intensive pig farms in Hong Kong.
Method:
A total of 67 biosecurity measures listed on FAO guidelines to prevent African swine fever in smallholder farms were used. The measures were classified into eight sections: Introduction of New Pigs; Feed and Water; Bedding; Vehicles and Equipment; Deliveries and Supplies; Personnel and Training; Wildlife, Insects, and Hunting; and Manure Management. Five local experts (four veterinarians and one veterinary assistant working with pig farmers in Hong Kong) filled a questionnaire scoring each of the measures using the Likert Scale (1 - 5). Six key performance indicators were used to explain the effectiveness (measure impact and persistence in reducing risk), practicability (implementation speed and cost), and sustainability (potential to disrupt production and stakeholder acceptance).
Results:
Overall, experts believed measures related to the eight sections could be highly efficient in preventing the risk of disease introduction and spread (median score ≥4) except measure for preventing rodents from accessing stored food (median score: 3.5), limiting feed spillage (median=3.5), and keeping away poultry and livestock from pig pens (median=3). As for practicability and sustainability, the median of all scores per section was high only for the measures related to the introduction of new pigs (median=4) and feeding and water (median=4), respectively. Among the single measures, only three measures: “demarcating areas for vehicles and equipment cleaning”, “controlling personal traffic”, and “ensuring appropriate dressing and washing protocols for workers before entering farms” had the highest median score difference between efficiency (median=5) and sustainability (median=2.5).
Conclusion:
Our study provides the foundation information to improve current biosecurity measure recommendation and develop practical strategies tailored to the needs of semi-intensive pig farmers
in Hong Kong.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Symposia on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics proceedings, Volume ISVEE 16 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of the 16th Symposium, Halifax, Canada |
| Publisher | International Symposia on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics |
| Pages | 602 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2022 |
| Event | 16th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics - The Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax,Nova Scotia, Canada Duration: 7 Aug 2022 → 12 Aug 2022 Conference number: 16 |
Publication series
| Name | International Symposia on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics proceedings |
|---|---|
| Publisher | International Symposia on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics |
| Volume | 16 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 1177-360X |
Conference
| Conference | 16th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ISVEE |
| Place | Canada |
| City | Halifax,Nova Scotia |
| Period | 7/08/22 → 12/08/22 |
Research Keywords
- Biosecurity
- expert opinion
- pig farm
- Hong Kong
- semi-intensive
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