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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 9th May 2014
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New blood import rules to protect against PEDv
piglets
PEDv mortality rates can be up to 100 per cent.
EU Commission agrees to new safety measures to limit spread of disease

EU officials have confirmed new rules will be put in place to limit the devastating spread of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv).

The deadly swine virus was first confirmed in the USA in May last year. By the end of January 2014 it had spread to 23 US states and crossed the border to Canada. It is causing serious losses to the pig industry.

New rules agreed by the European Commission will restrict imports of pig blood products used in piglet feed.

While the virus is not harmful to humans it kills up to 100 per cent of pigs it infects and is highly contagious.

Under new rules agreed by the EU Commission and member states, pig blood products may only be imported after being heat treated to 80ºC. Products must then be stored at room temperature for six weeks to inactivate any virus that may have contaminated the blood after heat treatment.

Spray-dried porcine plasma (SPDD) is used as a feed ingredient for young piglets. It is banned by Red Tractor Assurance, who regulate more than 90 per cent of the UK's domestic pig supply.

However, the National Pig Association (NPA) says it could be contained in a few milk replacer/milk blend products without producers' knowledge.

US and Canadian authorities have confirmed no consignments of live pigs are due to be dispatched to the EU. The EU Commission says it will therefore review current import conditions at the next meeting in June.

The PEDv epidemic in North America and Asia is thought to have been caused by two viruses: an alphacoronavirus causing porcine epidemic diarrhoea and a new emerging deltacoronavirus. The latter is a cause for particular concern, the commission says, as there is no information to suggest the virus occurs in Europe.

At the beginning of the year, BPEX warned UK pig farmers to review biosecurity measures to protect against PEDv, implementing measures such as disinfectant wheel dips and foot dips at farm entrances. It also recommended a zero tolerance policy for poorly washed livestock lorries.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.