Building on the success of its last strategy, launched in 2003, British pig industry body BPEX unveiled a new initiative at a press conference in London yesterday. The new health and welfare strategy, 20:20 Pig Health and Welfare, pins the focus on the Pig Health Improvement Project (PHIP).

The national Stage 1 of the PHIP is already underway. There will also be pilot projects with groups of producers across the country. The project aims to change completely the way endemic pig diseases are managed, mitigated and controlled across the country.

Exponents of the new strategy said it represents a change to ‘a more joined up’ approach. BPEX chair Stewart Houston said the strategy showed the British industry needed to switch to an “inclusive, co-ordinated and collaborative mindset.”

He continued, “Improving the health and welfare of pigs is of paramount importance to all of those involved in the industry in England.”

The new strategy also addresses the environmental effects of pig farming and food safety, especially controlling health concerns like salmonella. Although Mr Houston was clear to stress his belief that improving pig health was the key to increasing competitiveness in Europe.

The key elements of the strategy are:

• Support pig producers in delivering their objectives for continual improvements in pig health and pig welfare
• Eliminate or control significant enzootic pig diseases locally, regionally and nationally
• Eliminate or control significant infections of food safety and public health concern (eg Salmonella)
• Develop and promote new knowledge on the assessment of welfare outcomes
• Promote the open exchange of information on the disease status for herds and regions
• Promote and encourage responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials
• Maintain freedom from notifiable exotic and emerging diseases of pigs
• Deliver an integrated approach to improving pig health and welfare with all stakeholders, allied support industries, retailers, foodservice and Government.

BPEX Interim Head of Research and Development, Derek Armstrong, said: "The really encouraging part is that there are a lot of organisations committed to working together to deliver a coherent vision of health and welfare."

20:20 Pig Health and Welfare is available as a pdf here.