The Rural Voice, 2006-09, Page 64PERTH "ME
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
Biosecurity and our image
Any opinions expressed herein may
not necessarily reflect the views of
the Perth County Pork Producers'
Association.
Has biosecurity, along with our
industry's move to larger operations,
dampened our image in the eyes of
our consumers much more so than the
image of other livestock farmers over
the years?
As a general rule, most hog
operations have acquired a "no
unauthorized entry" policy on their
swine farms under the premise of our
own protection against swine diseases
foreign to our operation. One
might believe, however, there is a
notion that it has led to an industry
of secrecy and closed doors
heightening myths and negative
perceptions that are held by animal
welfare groups, neighbours and other
concerned members of the general
public.
One aspect of these concerns is
what we do within our own
community in respect to our social
lifestyle with our neighbours. In the
past, neighbourhood farmers had
been able to help each other when the
need arose, whether it be doing barn
chores or looking after each other's
properties when you are away or just
helping out in the barn when there
was a genuine need. Nowadays on
swine operations the fear or paranoia
of disease carryovers from
neighbouring farmers hinders such
co-operation. Farmers who have
shared equipment with each other in
past, even non -swine related
equipment, have gone to purchasing
their own equipment which may
raise costs of production. Overall, it
seems that heightened biosecurity
protocols have come at a cost to
many farm neighbourhoods, socially
speaking.
With regards to many swine
farms' closed -door biosecurity
policy, are we using biosecurity as a
dual motive? Do we not allow anyone
in our barns because we are afraid of
a new disease entering the farm or
because we are afraid that the general
public may not like what they see
'from a welfare point of view? There
are several groups out there who have
been somewhat successful in voicing
their concerns about animal
agriculture. The present operations
we have built are conducive to closed
doors and by using that motive, to me
also could seem like a mask to not
allow people to see what we all know
humanely happens in the barn. In our
operation for example, we make a
point of taking anyone through if they
so wish and explain in detail the
reasons why we house hogs'the way
we do and they seem to get a good
understanding of this and other swine
management issues since we are able
to show them first hand. For us, they
do not provide a biosecurity threat
because they obviously have never
been in a swine operation before.
Another point with respect to our
heightened biosecurity comes in the
form of the stigma that seems to be
associated with factory farming. To
make one thing clear, however, I
think we must accept that many
people are going to perceive that
most large swine operations are
factory farms. I know that in my
weekly routine of co -managing our
farrow -to -feeder pig barn, it certainly
seems (cruelly put) similar to an
assembly line to me and I would
accept the factory farm notion they
give. They must keep in mind
however, that a great deal of diligent
supervision is given as animal
welfare also equals more money in
return.
In regards to public image, beef
Russ Danbrook, President
519-356-2385
• The Rural Voice Is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA.
and dairy operators may seem to have
a significant advantage over swine
operators because they have not gone
the route of biosecurity nearly to the
extent that swine operations have.
One must remember that it is much
easier to confine swine to an enclosed
space than it is to confine cattle soley
due to how they are fed. Cattle
operations are very transparent, as
anyone who passes by one of these
operations on the road can catch a
glimpse of the management of the
cattle. Their primary supporting
industries in terms of nutritional,
veterinary and breeding for example
are able to enter their operations, as
well as many others during the course
of the day freely and with seemingly
little biosecurity precaution.
Furthermore, I do not think there has
ever been a school children field day
trip to a swine operation yet there are
many that go to dairy or beef
operations.
What are the consequences of
swine biosecurity? Will it further lead
us into receiving a negative
stereotype as the "closed -door"
agricultural sector? What can we do
to reverse the trend without
compromising' biosecurity? I believe
that we as swine farmers must be
conscious of this and think rationally
and not with paranoia about our
approach to biosecurity. Let us be
open to allowing non -farming
(therefore probably biosecure)
acquaintances into our operation as
we can only let them leave with a
good impression so they can pass that
onwards to others.0
— Submitted by Rob Nyenhuis
PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' PORK PRODUCTS
• Smoked Pork Chops • Fresh Pork Chops • Stuffed Loin Chops
• Smoked Sausage • Smoked Cheddar Sausage
• Bacon Burgers • Teriyaki Pork Steaks • Vittorio's BBQ Sauce
AVAILABLE FROM:
Steve Hulshof (Klnkora) 348-8167
Walter Bosch (Monkton) 356-9000
Ted Keller (Mitchell) 348-9836
SEPTEMBER 2006 61