26/09/2006 
”After the plague is before the plague!” - A comment by ISN board member Mrs Birgit Scharlau
After the plague is before the plague– Normally, this slogan is meant to accompany us, the pig keepers, during our daily business. But remember: In spring 2006, when pig fever spread in the area of Westphalia, we were shown how omnipresent viruses are. As was disclosed from the official side, the virus had drowsed in a freezer for years, but then finally it found its way inexplicably to the piggeries.
And once again the whole extent of threat was revealed which emanates from pig fever outbreaks, putting at risk the farmer’s existence: live stock slaughtering, bans on transports, crowded piggery compartments, market distortions on the piglet- and pigs-mature-for-slaughter markets, the farmers’ financial distress, panic and trouble, a never-ending information overload with its countless rumours and misinformation, international barriers to trade, and so on, and so on. Both the slaughter industry and the veterinarians being in charge of the live stock had to cope somehow with all those logistic challenges the plague entails. They had to work almost harder than they could, coming up against limiting factors, and even accept economic losses.
So, what can we do about it? The answer to this question is as simple as that (although it just seems to not be taken seriously …): Always adhere to the provisions stipulated with regard to hygiene in pig keeping! That’s the best thing to do! However, every pig farmer – no matter how many pigs he feeds – should be obligated to obey such provisions. Politics is urgently demanded to see to it that such provisions be established shortly!
At this point, please be referred to a working paper published by the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schweinegesundheit (DGSG)(German association for pigs’ health) with regard to
optimum epidemics precautions and control. This is a paper developed by a group of veterinarians, official veterinarians and pig keepers, being an interdisciplinary catalogue of countermeasures that would be of help in the fight against pig fever.
Being founded in 2006, the DSGS will continue to work on this interdisciplinary exchange of experiences regarding animal health and agricultural practice. A symposium will be organized by the DSGS, together with AVA, which will be held in Horstmar-Leer on 21st October 2006 and will appeal to pig keepers, veterinarians and advisors.
Top-flight scientists from the famous Friedrich-Löffler Institute as well as an official veterinarian, a pastor and an EU-Commission expert will be attending the symposium to give answers to all participants’ questions.
Let us do our utmost to contribute to keep our upgrading centres free from any kind of plagues! In the end, this would be the share we might have in supporting income in a business which is strongly affected by market fluctuations.
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