New Zealand - Farmers urge caution over strategy to curb pig disease

Pig farmers are urging pork industry bosses to think twice before trying an expensive and unproven strategy to combat a disease threatening the New Zealand pig farming industry. The strategy to eliminate post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) would involve reducing all stock numbers, fumigating piggeries, and starting from scratch on affected piggeries, effectively costing each farmer a year's production. A representative for some of the 25 farmers affected by the syndrome suggested the Pork Industry Board take a more pragmatic and speedy approach. Ewen McIntyre, who is liaising between pig farmers and the board, said no other country had been able to eradicate the disease. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has already said eradicating the disease is not feasible. Educating farmers and managing the syndrome could be the best option, Mr McIntyre said. Twenty-five pig farms -- between Whangarei and Taranaki -- have been issued with notices restricting the movement of their pigs because they are suspected of having the disease. But Mr McIntyre said only a handful of those farms were definitely affected and some might not have the disease at all. The Pork Industry Board is holding meetings throughout New Zealand to gauge farmers' reactions to paying for the proposed strategy to deal with the disease. Pig farmers would pay an annual levy to help compensate affected farmers. One figure being suggested is 68 cents for each pig sent to slaughter, which might cost an average-sized farm an extra $1360 a year. In a vote at a meeting of 45 Waikato pig farmers last week, the strategy was backed 2-1.