Biosecurity Problems on Pig Farms

Location of the farm
Farms are too close. But this also depends on which pathogen requires control.	Major road next to the farm may allow for off-farm pigs to drive pass the unit.	Farms near a slaughterhouse will have increased number of off-farm pigs driving passed the farm.
Perimeter of the farm
Damaged fencing caused by children gaining access into the farm	Fencing not into the ground. Pigs will burrow and fencing needs to be buried otherwise wild pigs can gain access	Gates unlocked. Hanging the chains around the gate does not lock the gate or restrict access.
Vehicles transporting snow, especially in the wheel hub area or road. PRRSv and Swine Dysentery can be easily transported by the snow and ice.	Neighboroughing pigs out around farm. These pigs came from a neighboroughing unit 2 miles away. Many of the feral pigs in the United States started as commercial pigs who escaped.
Visitor security
Showering facilities. The shower has to have running hot and cold water with soap. If the show is cold, dirty and unattractive visitors will be reluctant to shower adequately	No unit clothing. If the unit does not provide unit clothing, whatever pathogens are alive on your outer clothing will gain access to the pigs.	No unit boots. Boots are a particular problem as pigs will lick and investigate any dirt on the boots. The picture shows a big linebacker having problems fitting into the unit’s boots.

Equipment
Borrowed equipment on farm. This can be a very neighboroughly thing to do. Slurry dispersal systems are classic examples. In the event of major diseases such as FMD the government should consider both farms as one unit.
Internal biosecurity
No feed security. To fill the feed bins the truck has to drive right up to the feeders. Movement of pigs into the buildings utilizes the same roadway.	Food stored on floor. This is a major rodent risk as well as the food becoming damp and increasing the risk of moulds.	Poor food bin management. The feed bin lids were left open and birds were able to gain access to the food storage resulting in an outbreak of salmonella on the unit.
Poor bedding storage with poor understanding of vermin control. What fertilization programme is in use by the source farm?	Poor personal hygiene by the farm staff having little respect for keeping the farm clean and tidy.	Be aware of the risk of all species of animals which have access to the farm – classically dogs and cats.
Rodent damage clearly evident. The insulation has been eaten away by rodents. The possible leptospirosis problem was significant compared to the pneumonic problems associated with the poor insulation	Rodent control poor. It is impossible to have rodent control on farms with poor litter control.	Bird control poor. Birds were entering the building eating feed and potentially bring pathogens into the building. Flies may also enter the farm and have been shown to transfer PRRSv
Poor cleaning between batches. This weaner arc was supposed to be cleaned and ready for the next batch of pigs.	No inter-room biosecurity. Where attempts to have biosecurity between rooms, ensure scrapes and brushes are individually marked. The equipment must be clean before it is disinfected. You cannot disinfect faeces.	No all-in/all-out. The nursery shows did not practice all-in/all-out. The farm practiced 3 week batch farrowing to resolve the problem.
Poor door security. Especially any door that leads to off-farm.	Poor boot cleaning facilities. You cannot clean boots with a brush without bristles.
Fallen stock management
Dead animals around farm. It is not acceptable to just throw out the dead. This would encourage dogs and cats to the unit – a pseudorabies risk.	Poor vehicle biosecurity. Vehicles are a major biosecurity risk and need their own security protocols.	Poor incinerator management. There are rules covering the use and handling of incinerators and these need to be carefully followed.
Poor placement of composting pile. Composting is a useful method of animal control. But do not place too close to buildings, or fly control can be poor.	Poor composting management. If the compost pile is not correctly managed to achieve animal decomposition, animal remains may attract dogs and cats that can carry materials from the farm.

Other livestock on farm
Sheep and pigs. The presence of other animals poses their own specific risks.	Other mammals have access to the farm. Look for clear evidence of other animal’s access to the farm. These stool samples come from raccoons that can carry rabies.	Human food in particular pork products on the farm. Pork products should not be present on farms; they pose a potentially fatal risk of Classical Swine Fever as well as a FMD risk.
Medicine disposal. Medicines disposal systems should be reviews. It demonstrates a lack of care and concern by the farm staff.
Isolation facilities
AI box, broken dirty. When an AI box arrives at the farm broken, has there been a biosecurity breach as well a possible semen storage problems.	Isolation too close. An isolation area should be at least 50 metres away from the main unit. This isolation area was only 10 metres away – Mycoplasma and PRRSv could not be controlled.	No isolation available. Many commercial farms have no isolation facility available. The farm merely hopes that the source farm is safe.

Transport systems – see specific page previous
Loading areas none secure and dirty. Entry and exit areas need to provide a clean area.	No loading area. On some farms, there is no loading area, they just take the chance.	Trucks tailgating. Trucks should avoid getting too close to other trucks, note café’s and other truck stops. Aujeszky’s Disease (Pseudorabies) has been transmitted between trucks.
Staff issues
Visiting markets. Pig people like pigs. If you visit a market, you have to adhere to the normal ‘visitor’ biosecurity rules.	Visiting slaughterhouses. Likewise, when visiting slaughterhouse, it is essential to practice advanced entry precautions.	Staff room poor hygiene. Practice tidy home rules in the staff room. There are zoonotic diseases of pigs which could infect staff.