A survey on biosecurity and management practices in Belgian pig herds.
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).
Ribbens
S
S
Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Unit of Veterinary Epidemiology, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium. Stefaan.Ribbens@UGent.be
Dewulf
J
J
Koenen
F
F
Mintiens
K
K
De Sadeleer
L
L
de Kruif
A
A
Maes
D
D
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D011156:Population Density; D011790:Quarantine / Q000662:veterinary; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*