Defra is running a dialogue gaining industry views on making PEDv a notifiable disease, though this would not mean exclusion zones or slaughtering.

This ties in with the Disease Charter being run by AHDB Pork on behalf of the Pig Health and Welfare Council.

In both cases the industry needs to take an active role by registering on dialogue and, in the case of producers, signing up to the Charter.

The aim of the Charter is to get the voluntary sign-up of producers to share information quickly which will make disease control faster and more effective.

AHDB veterinary manager Martin Smith said: “It is important for as many people as possible to make their voice heard as part of the dialogue with Defra. This includes producers, vets and allied industry.
“The Charter and making PEDv notifiable will both have a vital role to play in disease control and elimination.

“The experience in Canada has shown that co-operative working involving the whole industry and Government can have a very positive effect and I would urge people to join both the Charter and the dialogue.”

The dialogue can be accessed by following this link https://defra.dialogue-app.com/controlling-porcine-epidemic-diarrhoea and sign up to the Charter through the Pig Hub by using this link http://www.pighub.org.uk/iip/home.eb