During the experiment, a significant amount of the virus was added to various types of feed. However, after a short period, no trace of the pathogen remained. At the same time, risks remain in activities related to feed, particularly through transportation, contact with materials, or human movement.
"The greatest danger of FMD spreading to pig farms comes from people, materials, infected animals, or contaminated food products," said Dr. Hemann-Josef Baaken, representative of the management board of the German Feed Association (Deutschen Verbandes Tiernahrung e.V., DVT), in a comment to schweine.net.
Baaken emphasized that feed producers are aware of the risks and their responsibilities: "We have informed all our members about the importance of observing strict hygiene measures. This includes using disinfectants, wearing protective clothing, adhering to biosecurity rules on pig and cattle farms, and recommending these practices to others as well."
DVT also recommends conducting online meetings instead of face-to-face contacts, thoroughly disinfecting wheels, wheel covers, and other parts of transport vehicles after each visit, and closing gates and doors at the visited sites.
"These biosecurity measures must be observed at all times, not only when a real threat arises," Baaken stressed. According to him, companies in the industry already comply with HACCP hygiene standards. And in the compound feed industry, the motto remains: "Safety First." Baaken is convinced that everyone understands – no one is interested, especially for economic reasons, in allowing a serious animal disease to enter a farm.
pigprogress.net