Current pig production practices: A potential risk to human and animal health

ABSTRACT

Objective: Increased awareness of food safety and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organisms has placed greater emphasis on livestock farmers adopting Good Agricultural Practices. Pork is the most consumed source of animal protein globally, and over 30,000 pigs are reared in Trinidad to meet the local pork demand. While there has been a plethora of studies globally focusing on the role of livestock production practices in the epidemiology of food borne diseases and AMR organisms, there is a dearth of research in Trinidad. Design and Methodology: Using questionnaires and on-site farm evaluations, a cross-sectional study was conducted at 54 randomly selected pig farms to evaluate the risks current production practices may pose to human and animal health. Results: The primary pig herd health issues identified by farmers were outbreaks of diarrhoea and nonspecific infections. Farmers also identified piglet crushing as the leading cause for pre-weaning mortality. 50% of farmers had not had a Veterinarian visit their farm within the last six months and 90% indicated they provided all routine healthcare on their own. Penicillinstreptomycin was the most commonly used antibiotic and none of the farms surveyed had a vaccination programme. All farms evaluated had inadequate biosecurity measures with only 13% screening for diseases prior to adding breeding stock. The majority of farmers (72%) washed their effluent directly into municipal drains without any prior remediation. Conclusion: Greater farmer education as well as increased regulation of pig production practices is required in order to reduce the potential risk of food borne disease as well reducing the risk of propagation of AMR organisms.