SA 2023 Biosecurity preparedness snapshot
A survey of biosecurity preparedness of farms supplying pigs to South Australian abattoirs was co-funded by Pork SA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).
The survey assessed the biosecurity practices of 69 breeder, progeny, and farrow-to-finish sites from 3 jurisdictions. Participation represented 23% of the national sow herd (66,614 sows), 76% of the SA sow herd (34,514 sows) and 79% of SA[1]produced pigs (690,280 progenies). The survey identified biosecurity practices the pig industry has in place, and opportunities to improve biosecurity to be better prepared for an Emergency Animal Disease.
Biosecurity initiatives for SA pig supply chains
Australia faces an increasing risk of serious diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever. A biosecurity incursion would have huge implications for the pork industry.
South Australian producers, processors and the SA Government are in partnership to improve biosecurity and implement practice change. These initiatives are outlined in the SA Pork Supply Chain Biosecurity fact sheet.
SA Pork Supply Chain Biosecurity Fact Sheet
The initiatives outlined not only support preventing disease entry to farms, but limit spread to industry, while facilitating opportunities for business continuity with heightened controls during Response and Recovery phases.
More information and reports will be provided by industry partners and Pork SA as projects are completed and facilities commissioned.
SA pork sector appoints biosecurity officer
Stock Journal 16 Nov 2021
Improving biosecurity practices and preparing for the potential incursion of an emergency animal disease is the focus of a new biosecurity officer role, focused on the state’s pork industry.
University of Adelaide animal science graduate Chelsea Dossett has been appointed to the position, which has been jointly funded by the SA government and the SA Pig Industry Fund.
Ms Dossett was the recipient of the Ronald J Lienert Memorial Scholarship, graduating with honours in pig production, and has broad experience working on a 500-sow farm.
A key focus of her role will be to develop protocols for best practice biosecurity and disease management that ensures SA is well placed to meet and implement national requirements.
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Pork sector biosecurity to benefit from upgrade
Stock Journal 1 Oct 2021
Work is set to begin on a $3-million biosecurity project to protect 700 abattoir jobs and safeguard the future of the South Australian pig industry.
The project, supported by the Pork SA Pig Industry Fund, the SA government’s Regional Growth Fund and Seven Point Pork’s Port Wakefield and Big River Pork’s Murray Bridge abattoirs, will result in truck wash and decontamination facilities installed at both locations.
The biosecurity upgrades will ensure plans endorsed by the Australian government’s Animal Health Committee to prevent disease spread are implemented. This includes ensuring abattoirs are not a central source of infection, with truck biosecurity being a key part of emergency animal disease risk.
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Pig sperm bank expands quarantine station to protect industry from African swine fever
Landline / By Gabriella Marchant
Posted Sun 23 May 2021 at 9:12am
Key Points
- The SABOR artificial insemination centre houses hundreds of pigs from across Australia at a time
- Amid the spread of African swine fever, the facility is stepping up its biosecurity protocols
- An onsite quarantine station now accommodates pigs for weeks at a time
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