Irish pig farms are integrated operations, where the breeding and rearing of pigs usually takes place on the one site.
Thanks to the island’s relatively high health status, our farmers are well on their way to greater sustainable intensification, with many of them investing in high capital investment projects.
Modern high-tech feeding systems, ventilation systems and housing design have helped make Irish pig farmers among the most efficient in Europe.
Biosecurity
Biosecurity is a term instilled in everything that we do. It refers to procedures or measures designed to protect the herd against harmful pathogens.
I first looked at biosecurity on Irish pig farms as an undergrad where I carried out a nationwide survey on what procedures are in place.
More recently, through my masters in pig health with the Royal Veterinary College, I studied biosecurity for pig herds in great detail.
Pigs are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, which can affect health, welfare and productivity of a herd.
One of the ways these can be transmitted is by horizontal transmission.
This is where the pathogens are transferred from one organism to a healthy animal directly or indirectly.
Their actions could have devastating impacts on the health and welfare of the pigs they come into contact with
Unfortunately, there have been a few isolated incidents in Europe this year where groups of animal rights activists have broken into pig farms and remained there for many hours, live streaming the events via social media.
They have also held vigils outside many slaughterhouses, both in Ireland and abroad.
While they claim to have love for the animals, their actions could have devastating impacts on the health and welfare of the pigs they come into contact with.
Piglets playing with enrichment toys at Shane McAuliffe's pig farm, Castleisland, Co Kerry. \ David Ruffles
Last weekend’s invasion of a pig farm in the midlands was just days after some of the same group are suspected to have also attended a picket outside a pig factory.
There, they would have come into contact with pigs from dozens and dozens of different herds.
These herds would have various different health statuses and this is why, when we visit pig farms, we have to remain ‘pig-free' for a number of days.
There is the possibility that protesters outside the factory could have picked up viruses or bacteria via environmental transmission from the pigs and their faeces and, if the same people invaded the Westmeath farm, they could bring these diseases with them.
There is also the chance of bringing a disease from one herd to a higher health status that would not need to be vaccinating for a disease that the other herds already vaccinate for.
Piglets playing with enrichment toys at Shane McAuliffe's pig farm, Castleisland, Co Kerry. \ David Ruffles
One virus which spreads quite easily for example is the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.
When healthy and unvaccinated sows come into contact with the virus, there would be an increased number of stillbirths, mummified pigs and abortions.
As the name suggests, pigs will also be more susceptible to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
Biosecurity also means that certain staff members look after specific areas of the farm.
Sows are intelligent animals, and will recognise the manager of their section each time he or she comes to feed them or carry out any other husbandry procedures.
An invasion of a large group of people would cause a serious amount of stress to a sow.
Stillborn piglets
She would produce hormones which depress her immune system and make her more susceptible to disease.
Stressing a sow in labour will have disastrous effects and will lead to increased stillborn piglets.
The few weeks after such an incident will be very worrying for the farmers involved.
They will have to continually carry out extensive veterinary diagnostics to see what viruses the pigs caught off the activists, and they will have to closely monitor their farrowing sows to see what ill-effects those few hours have had.
Read more
Westmeath farm targeted by animal rights activists
Group brings sophisticated farm invasions to Ireland
Watch: Rosderra Meats targeted by vegan activists
Irish pig farms are integrated operations, where the breeding and rearing of pigs usually takes place on the one site.
Thanks to the island’s relatively high health status, our farmers are well on their way to greater sustainable intensification, with many of them investing in high capital investment projects.
Modern high-tech feeding systems, ventilation systems and housing design have helped make Irish pig farmers among the most efficient in Europe.
Biosecurity
Biosecurity is a term instilled in everything that we do. It refers to procedures or measures designed to protect the herd against harmful pathogens.
I first looked at biosecurity on Irish pig farms as an undergrad where I carried out a nationwide survey on what procedures are in place.
More recently, through my masters in pig health with the Royal Veterinary College, I studied biosecurity for pig herds in great detail.
Pigs are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, which can affect health, welfare and productivity of a herd.
One of the ways these can be transmitted is by horizontal transmission.
This is where the pathogens are transferred from one organism to a healthy animal directly or indirectly.
Their actions could have devastating impacts on the health and welfare of the pigs they come into contact with
Unfortunately, there have been a few isolated incidents in Europe this year where groups of animal rights activists have broken into pig farms and remained there for many hours, live streaming the events via social media.
They have also held vigils outside many slaughterhouses, both in Ireland and abroad.
While they claim to have love for the animals, their actions could have devastating impacts on the health and welfare of the pigs they come into contact with.
Piglets playing with enrichment toys at Shane McAuliffe's pig farm, Castleisland, Co Kerry. \ David Ruffles
Last weekend’s invasion of a pig farm in the midlands was just days after some of the same group are suspected to have also attended a picket outside a pig factory.
There, they would have come into contact with pigs from dozens and dozens of different herds.
These herds would have various different health statuses and this is why, when we visit pig farms, we have to remain ‘pig-free' for a number of days.
There is the possibility that protesters outside the factory could have picked up viruses or bacteria via environmental transmission from the pigs and their faeces and, if the same people invaded the Westmeath farm, they could bring these diseases with them.
There is also the chance of bringing a disease from one herd to a higher health status that would not need to be vaccinating for a disease that the other herds already vaccinate for.
Piglets playing with enrichment toys at Shane McAuliffe's pig farm, Castleisland, Co Kerry. \ David Ruffles
One virus which spreads quite easily for example is the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus.
When healthy and unvaccinated sows come into contact with the virus, there would be an increased number of stillbirths, mummified pigs and abortions.
As the name suggests, pigs will also be more susceptible to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
Biosecurity also means that certain staff members look after specific areas of the farm.
Sows are intelligent animals, and will recognise the manager of their section each time he or she comes to feed them or carry out any other husbandry procedures.
An invasion of a large group of people would cause a serious amount of stress to a sow.
Stillborn piglets
She would produce hormones which depress her immune system and make her more susceptible to disease.
Stressing a sow in labour will have disastrous effects and will lead to increased stillborn piglets.
The few weeks after such an incident will be very worrying for the farmers involved.
They will have to continually carry out extensive veterinary diagnostics to see what viruses the pigs caught off the activists, and they will have to closely monitor their farrowing sows to see what ill-effects those few hours have had.
Read more
Westmeath farm targeted by animal rights activists
Group brings sophisticated farm invasions to Ireland
Watch: Rosderra Meats targeted by vegan activists
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