The 14th ASF workshop, delivered in partnership with AHDB and NPA, took place at Peddars Pigs and brought together stock managers, fieldsman, and vets from across the company. It marked the culmination of eight months of hands-on learning and collaboration with the UK pig industry, which saw the Livetec team and AHDB engage with over 140 producers and veterinary professionals.
That message resonated strongly with those attending from across Peddars Pigs. As Peter Tomson, Fieldsman, reflected:
“Attending the ASF workshop was really eye-opening. The discussions went beyond theory, focusing on the practical challenges faced on our farms, from visitor compliance and site management to contingency planning. Exploring solutions tailored to our business made the session especially valuable. It was a well-run and informative day, and we’re glad to have been part of it. Thanks again to all who facilitated the workshop!”
His perspective highlights how the workshop not only addressed practical biosecurity challenges but also equipped staff across Peddars Pigs to take clear, actionable steps to strengthen their preparedness and resilience.
This workshop focused firmly on practical biosecurity challenges faced on farm. As with previous sessions, discussions quickly moved beyond theory and into the realities of implementation.
Key topics included:
- Access logbooks and the difficulty of enforcing rules when visitor compliance is inconsistent
- Landlord restrictions and how to make biosecurity improvements on leased land
- Contingency planning and the need for formal, written plans to replace knowledge that exists only in memory
- Site management, including barriers, traffic flow, and considerations for farms with campsites or other public access points
Across the series, these same issues have emerged repeatedly, regardless of farm size or system, highlighting that they are industry-wide challenges rather than isolated problems.
A key moment of the session was a discussion on recent ASF outbreaks in Spain. The figures were sobering. Whole regions lost export opportunities, pork prices fell from around €1.30 per kilo to approximately €1.04, and production costs quickly outweighed profits. Even where response was rapid, the economic consequences were unavoidable. This real-world example reinforced that ASF is not a distant or abstract risk.
The workshop echoed the core themes seen throughout the programme. Record keeping, written contingency plans, and clear communication are fundamental to effective biosecurity. When plans are undocumented, response time slows and in a notifiable disease outbreak, delays quickly become costly.
Participants left the session with practical actions they could implement immediately, strengthening their farms against ASF risk and improving overall resilience.
Reflecting on the impact of the workshop series across England, Dr Miranda Poulson, Senior Animal Health and Welfare Scientist at AHDB, said:
“Producers and the industry as a whole can do a lot to protect themselves against ASF. The key for these workshops has been to get vets and producers working together to apply the theory to their own situations. Every business and every unit is unique and therefore needs a bespoke plan. By focusing on practical steps within their control, producers can create a contingency plan that really works for them.”
The final workshop, at least for this series, reinforced a consistent message: preparation, clear documentation, and practical biosecurity measures are essential to reducing risk. If you would like support reviewing your current biosecurity arrangements, developing written contingency plans, or understanding how ASF could impact your operation, Livetec can help. Get in touch to discuss how practical, farm-specific advice can strengthen your preparedness.
