ASF simulation exercise highlights the importance of record keeping

NPA senior policy adviser Katie Jarvis outlines the key findings from a recent NPA-AHDB ASF simulation exercise.

At the end of July NPA and AHDB held an ASF simulation exercise for the pig sector. Taking place in London, we hosted around 30 individuals from different organisations and government departments to discuss the consequences of an ASF outbreak.

The day was structured around a hypothetical scenario in which ASF was suspected on an outdoor pig unit from which weaners and cull sows had been moved the week before. Defra and APHA supported the exercise by explaining the process of outbreak confirmation and answering detailed questions about what would happen both on farm and throughout the supply chain.

The group learned that many decisions taken by APHA and FSA would be risk-based, and, therefore, the main piece of advice which was repeated throughout the day concerned keeping records on farm for government to be able to accurately assess the level of that risk.

Records for movements of not just live pigs, but deadstock and people (including staff!) would be requested by APHA in the case of a suspected ASF case – before the disease is even confirmed – and therefore detailed, legible but preferably typed and up-to-date records are a must to ensure the process can move as quickly as possible.

This is true of not just a confirmed ASF case, but also to help lift movement restrictions faster where a suspected case has been negated.

It is essential in these scenarios that information is provided when required, both from the farm to APHA when requested but also from government back to the farm.

Battleplan

Defra and APHA are experienced with using a detailed 'battleplan' of daily and weekly meetings, which allows them to share information with industry and vice versa.

NPA and AHDB will be a part of this plan and will be best placed to feed information between industry and government. It was suggested that large companies may want to nominate an individual who will act as the main point of contact for the NPA and AHDB in order to speed up this process.

While the scope of the exercise was focused primarily on pig movements, there were many questions on the requirements and restrictions on processing. Much of the responsibility for this area lies with FSA who will make decisions on a case-by-case basis, and so this will be explored in more detail in another exercise.

All attendees took away actions which will help ensure different organisations and companies are more prepared for an ASF outbreak, and which will add to the body of information, which NPA and AHDB are gathering to help support sector should ASF arrive.