Pigs diet warning to avoid UK disease outbreak

The warning comes after the risk level of African swine fever entering the UK was raised over the summer following the disease’s spread in Eastern and Central Europe.

There has never been a case of African swine fever in the UK and it does not affect humans, but it is potentially fatal to pigs.

Keepers are reminded that it is illegal to feed catering waste of any description or domestic food waste to farm animals in the UK, including pigs kept as pets, as some of the outbreaks of African swine fever in Europe have been attributed to wild boar or domestic pigs consuming contaminated pork or pork products.

Nigel Gibbens, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said: “The introduction of African swine fever would have an enormous impact on our pig industry. No matter how many pigs you keep, you need to be aware of the potential consequences of feeding waste food to your animals. Not only is it illegal, but you run the risk of spreading disease which could be fatal to your livestock.

“You can purchase a range of pig foods from your local agricultural merchant that can be safely fed to your pigs and which is the most reliable way of giving them a balanced diet.”

He said good biosecurity is also essential, such as providing dedicated clothing and boots for workers and preventing vehicles which may be contaminated from entering pig premises.