[Towards a better health status in pig farming]

The Dutch pig-farming industry is on the verge of sweeping changes due to national and European legislation and changes towards a buyers market. An improved health-status is a necessity. Such improvements must fall in line with changes in the industry. This paper presents the characteristics of primary, secondary and tertiary infectious disease, and methods by which improvements can be achieved. These are: stamping out; systematic vaccinations; systematic pre-medications; improved husbandry; in-line production; breeding for improved disease-resistance; the SPF system; and Early Medicated Weaning. In the Dutch pig-farming industry the number of farms will decrease to approx. 10,000. These farms will be organised in vertically integrated production systems.

improvement of the national pig-health status is acquired through vertically integrated production systems under improved husbandry conditions. Particular infectious microorganisms will be banned through EEC regulations; other diseases will be minimised by vaccination. Selection for disease-resistance will contribute to some extent to an improved health-status in the future.