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A survey on biosecurity and management practices in Belgian pig herds.

Ribbens, S
Dewulf, J
Koenen, F.
Mintiens, K
De Sadeleer, L
de Kruif, A
Maes, D
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Abstract

We surveyed Belgian pig herds to describe their biosecurity status and management practices. Our written questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of 609 pig farms. We achieved a 71.6% response, and 421/609 farmers (69.1%) returned questionnaires suitable for analysis. We used multiple-correspondence analysis followed by a two-step clustering procedure. Herd size, herd type and occupation (commercial or hobby herd) were used to describe different groups. We differentiated four biosecurity groups, which we interpreted as indicating low- to high-biosecurity status. Although we felt that most farms had acceptable biosecurity, few used measures such as showering (2.1%) and quarantine periods for people entering the premises (7.1%). We also found three management-practices clusters, although their interpretation was not straightforward. Despite the industrialised character of pig production in Belgium, 9.4% of pig herds were small, hobby herds that reported different biosecurity and management characteristics (such as the equipping pigs on pasture and feeding kitchen waste).

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2008-03-17
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Peer reviewed scientific article
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Animal Husbandry, Animals, Belgium, Bioterrorism, Cluster Analysis, Female, Male, Meat, Population Density, Quarantine, Surveys and Questionnaires, Swine, Swine Diseases
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