Kāds bija risinājums/problēma?
Porcine Reproductive respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) was first recognised in USA in 1987 and this debilitating pig disease is arguably the most economically important disease within the global pig industry. Symptoms were first recognised in Northern Ireland in 1997 and blood sampling carried out by PigRegen, the local levy body, over the last 10 years has shown its gradual spread to most of Northern Ireland. Hence the disease is now considered endemic.
The aim of this project was to control the effects of PRRS in a specific geographical location within Northern Ireland by reducing the prevalence of ‘wild virus’ present. The focus was to stabilise the incidence of PRRS virus in the breeding herds, which are the major continuous reservoir of infection. If successful, the template used to achieve this control could be expanded to the entire pig herd in the form of a national scheme.
The area chosen for this pilot study encompassed a five-mile radius around a major pig slaughter plant in Cookstown Co Tyrone. This area has a high density of pig units. It was selected for the following reasons:
• Contained a number of progressive / forward thinking pig producers.
• Most producers had co-operated previously on pig related initiatives.
• All units employed specialist pig veterinary input.
• If control could be obtained in this pig-dense area, then a national scheme could be launched with confidence.
The commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the initiative was vital to ensure the success of this project. This included the following:
• Pig producers in the geographical area chosen.
• Specialist pig vets involved on farms.
• Pig Adviser(s).
• Vaccine company (ies)
• Project Management Committee.
All actors participated fully when they were assured of the confidentiality of the scheme, the logical and professional nature of the Management Committee and that involvement was voluntary.
Kā jūs atrisinājāt problēmu?
Funding was secured from the European Innovation Partnership Scheme. This enabled:
• Innovation Broker employed to manage the scheme.
• Capital items acquired to improve farm biosecurity .
• Part-fund veterinary input on farms.
• Repeated blood sampling
Kas ir novatorisks jūsu praktiskajā gadījumā?
Communication and cooperation were key to ‘buy-in’ by all the stakeholders and this was achieved in a pre-planned and logical manner.
• Vets discussed the initiative together and refined the methodology used in practice.
• The Adviser facilitated a visit
Kādi ir veiksmes faktori problēmas risināšanā?
Open communication and cooperation amongst all actors were key to the success of the project. This was achieved through careful preparation and research before commencement. The initiative was introduced in phases with individual vets receiving instructio
Gūtās mācības
It was obvious from the outset that a clear, logical and practical programme for the control of PRRS needed to be developed based on robust scientific principles. This involved rigorous research along with assistance from virologists, vaccine companies and pig vets working in the field. Papildus, a detailed knowledge of successful control programmes in other pig industries was acquired by visits/conversations. When developed and customised for the area, the plan was tested by sharing with all stakeholders and their feedback enabled the programme to be adjusted to insure it could be effectively adopted. In practice the Management Committee produced a very clear and detailed strategy for PRRS control before the roll-out stage, ensuring confidence at all levels. This rational was conveyed to the farm vets and to the small farmer groups. This was reinforced at farm level by the respective vets who conveyed the same message. Hence an in-depth knowledge of PRRS control was developed, as well as skills relating to effective teamwork.
Effective communication at all levels was vital to the progress and success and communication skills were honed as the project progressed. As this was such a novel and innovative initiative, farmers were provided with a full explanation of the requirements and actions needed on a regular basis. Patiešām, both the Adviser and Innovation Broker were always available to talk to producers and not only explain in a practical manner but encourage further progress. Specific veterinary assistance on PRRS control was provided to the vets from the vaccine companies and from vets in other countries undertaking control. Individual farm results for both biosecurity assessments and blood tests were clearly explained to each farmer as soon as acquired. Līdzīgi, the progress of the entire group was shared in a simple, clear format at regular group meetings.
Kāda loma ir konsultantam vai konsultatīvajam dienestam ar praktisko lietu?
The Adviser played an integral and essential part in this project at both the developmental and deployment stages. Prior to commencement, the Advisor facilitated a very successful trip for local farmers and vets to Denmark to experience PRRS control progr
Vai jūsu pieeja var tikt pārnesta un/vai pielāgota citiem jauninājumu izaicinājumiem un reģioniem?
Jā
Paredzamā nododamība mērogā no 1 Ļoti svarīga būs arī Štīrijas Lauksaimniecības kameras loma pēc projekta beigām, lai rezultātus izplatītu pēc iespējas plašāk 5
(kur 1 ir viegli un 5 ļoti grūti)
2
Par dalīšanos pieredzē par labo praksi, lūdzu sazinieties
Mark Hawe
mark.hawe@daera-ni.gov.uk
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