As the global leaders in biosecurity, Livetec are constantly keeping up to date on animal diseases and recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed “enormous concern” that the H5N1 bird flu virus is spreading to humans. The recent outbreak of bird flu that began in 2020 has devastated poultry flocks and wild bird populations throughout the UK, across Europe and around the world. It has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions of poultry and wild birds either directly or by mandatory culling.  H5N1 has been reported in 48 different animal species, including goats, cows ..read more

The countdown is on to the 2024 Pig and Poultry conference at the NEC Birmingham, and the team at Livetec are working hard to be ready for a PACKED schedule. Join us to witness the future of biosecurity firsthand on stand 12-250 or during our keynote presentation, “Building the future of livestock protection: biosecurity in your hands”. Led by Julian Sparrey, Livetec’s Technical Director, this fantastic session will take place at 11am in the Innovation Theatre on both days.  Joining Julian on stage will be James Baxter, Chairman of BFREPA and Scottish egg producer, who will share his firs ..read more

Could Scotland become the first nation in the UK to completely ban colony cages in egg production?  The proposed legislation, currently in a consultation phase due to close in June 2024, has sparked debate between animal welfare advocates and the egg industry. The Scottish Government’s preferred option would see a halt on building new enriched cages by 2030, followed by a complete ban on all cage-produced eggs by 2034, including banning battery cages for pullets, breeder layers and layer hen units with less than 350 birds. “There is a demand from society to move to more ethical production ..read more

On the 29th March 2024, the UK Government self-declared Great Britain free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This declaration follows strict adherence to guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).  While the declaration is currently under review by WOAH, it signifies a significant milestone and will follow on from Northern Ireland also declaring itself free on the 31st March 2024. The UK has not reported any outbreaks of HPAI in poultry or captive birds since the 14th February 2024, and the risk to flocks is now considered low. This is a welcome relief f ..read more

In a significant move to bolster defences against avian influenza (AI), the British government announced new mandatory bird registration requirements on the 19th March 2024. This policy change expands registration to encompass all bird keepers, regardless of flock size. Previously, only those keeping 50 or more birds were required to register. Bird keepers in England and Wales are asked to register their birds as early as possible before the official deadline, 1st October 2024. Scottish bird keepers will be able to register their flocks starting 1st September 2024 with the introduction of the ..read more

The first of March, as well as marking the start of spring, is also known as International Pig Day. This is the perfect occasion to both celebrate these animals, the pig farmers that rear them, and highlight their significant contribution to UK and global agriculture. The role of pig farming in global agriculture Pigs play an invaluable role in the agricultural sector with pork being the world’s most widely consumed meat. With its production efficiency and the huge nutritional benefits, it’s no wonder that in many rural communities across the world, pig rearing is a culturally embedded practic ..read more

For UK poultry farmers, expanding your holding with new buildings and types of poultry housing offers exciting opportunities for increased production and diversification. However, navigating the intricacies of UK planning law can seem daunting. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps and considerations to make your poultry expansion a smooth and successful endeavour. Planning Permission Poultry housing falls under agricultural development, categorised as either “permitted development” or requiring full planning permission. Smaller structures like mobile units under 12m² may qualify as permitted de ..read more

Poultry farming has always been a particularly challenging business to succeed in. However, the last few years have brought an unparalleled sequence of challenges that have made success more difficult than ever.  Our new spotlight, Livestock Matters: economic and environmental impacts on poultry farmers, explores this area, taking a closer look at some of the most pressing issues and considers what the future might have in store. Economic challenges It’s well known that previous years have been financially turbulent. Global events and political decisions have impacted economies everywhere ..read more

British eggs and poultry under threat: 24% of producers may close by 2025 The future of British breakfasts and roast dinners could be at risk, with nearly a quarter of egg and poultry producers suggesting that they could be facing closure by 2025 according to a recent National Farming Union (NFU) survey. This alarming statistic paints a picture of an industry under immense pressure, struggling with rising costs, unfair supply chains, and the constant threat of disease. The survey, conducted among 253 poultry producers, revealed significant cost increases over the past two years: Feed: Up 31 ..read more

Crucial things to consider when building a new poultry shed.  Every structure on a farm contributes towards its overall biosecurity profile, beginning at the gate and perimeter all the way to the animal housing itself. We call it structural biosecurity. What is structural biosecurity?   Structural biosecurity encompasses every physical structure on a farm including how staff, visitors and animals use them, the space and navigate the land. Understanding this can reduce the risk of pathogen incursion and is part of optimising the overall biosecurity of a farm. Without effective st ..read more