Hosts Jessica and Miquel discuss the three pillars of biosecurity with Dr. Miguel Ángel Higuera, who represents the Spanish swine industry at a national level.

“The Spanish industry has adopted an intense biosecurity mentality that delivers results”, says Dr. Higuera.  

Spain has had no African Swine Fever since 1995 and has boosted production by more than 20% since introducing a national framework of biosecurity standards. 

As they look for solutions to the spread of ASF across Europe, Jessica and Miguel Ángel compare the Spanish model with responses elsewhere in the EU. 

Member states differ when addressing common problems like the large European wild boar population. As a result of added disruption from COVID-19, Higuera believes that current biosecurity co-ordination is ‘disappointing’. 

Effective biosecurity reduces the spread of pathogens, helps manage outbreaks and gives producers some certainty in a crisis.

With investors looking for return on investment in a global market, can the industry be fully productive without it?  

Listen now on Spotify: