A survey on biosecurity and management practices in Belgian pig herds

Prev Vet Med. 2008 Mar 17;83(3-4):228-41. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2007.07.009. Epub 2007 Sep 11.

Abstract

We surveyed Belgian pig herds to describe their biosecurity status and management practices. Our written questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of 609 pig farms. We achieved a 71.6% response, and 421/609 farmers (69.1%) returned questionnaires suitable for analysis. We used multiple-correspondence analysis followed by a two-step clustering procedure. Herd size, herd type and occupation (commercial or hobby herd) were used to describe different groups. We differentiated four biosecurity groups, which we interpreted as indicating low- to high-biosecurity status. Although we felt that most farms had acceptable biosecurity, few used measures such as showering (2.1%) and quarantine periods for people entering the premises (7.1%). We also found three management-practices clusters, although their interpretation was not straightforward. Despite the industrialised character of pig production in Belgium, 9.4% of pig herds were small, hobby herds that reported different biosecurity and management characteristics (such as the equipping pigs on pasture and feeding kitchen waste).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods*
  • Animal Husbandry / standards
  • Animals
  • Belgium
  • Bioterrorism / prevention & control*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Female
  • Male
  • Meat / standards*
  • Population Density
  • Quarantine / veterinary
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / prevention & control*