Review vaccination – protect Community
Review vaccination – protect Community
EU vaccination policy against classical swine fever must be reviewed to prevent further outbreaks in the Community.
That is the view of Intervets Christian van Beek. Commenting on the companys prestigious VIV gold award for its new generation CSF vaccine, Mr van Beek said the EUs decision to continue with a non-vaccination policy against swine fever was no longer valid.
"The policy was implemented because it was impossible to tell which animals had been vaccinated and which had been infected with the virus." But vaccine technology had progressed and the companys new vaccine carried a marker on the inactive virus so that when blood-tested the marker would show pigs were safe for sale.
"Two vaccinations, four weeks apart are needed to treat pigs from six weeks old and over. This would prevent further outbreaks," said Mr van Beek. "But until the EU changes its policy pigs cannot be treated and all EU pig producers are vulnerable to the disease."
New CSF vaccine carries marker to show pigs are safe… Christian van Beek.