People are expected to have a basic level of knowledge about the biosecurity risks they might encounter in their normal work and recreational activities.

All community members have a responsibility to consider how actions, or in some cases, lack of action, could have a negative impact on another person, business enterprise, animal, or the environment. We must then take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent or minimise the potential negative impact.

What does ‘general biosecurity duty’ mean?

People are expected to have a basic level of knowledge about the biosecurity risks they might encounter in their normal work and recreational activities.

All community members have a responsibility to consider how actions, or in some cases, lack of action, could have a negative impact on another person, business enterprise, animal, or the environment. We must then take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent or minimise the potential negative impact.

Everyone who works with or owns animals has a duty of care to take all reasonable measures

to protect the health and welfare of those animals.

Managing pig biosecurity

There is a range of parasites and diseases present in Australia that can seriously affect the health and productivity of pigs; many of these conditions are infectious – meaning that they spread from pig to pig and from one herd to another.

All pig owners have a duty of care to manage their own pigs so that health conditions do not adversely affect the health and welfare of the pigs, and they have a general biosecurity duty to prevent the spread of parasites and diseases from their pigs to anyone else’s pigs.

Farm biosecurity plans

NSW DPI strongly recommends that all people who own or manage livestock develop a biosecurity plan for their own property. These plans should also include arrangements for how you will prepare for and respond to an emergency situation, such as a bushfire or flood that would affect your livestock.

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Good biosecurity in practice

For pig owners, some examples of ways you can fulfill your general biosecurity duty include:

• Ensure pigs have adequate feed, water, and shelter at all times
• Ensure pigs do not have access to prohibited pig feed
• Have current biosecurity and emergency plans for your property – and follow them
• Maintain pig-proof boundary fences to prevent feral pig access to your pig herd
• Develop a herd health plan in consultation with your private veterinarian
• Inspect your pigs regularly and know what is normal behaviour and appearance of pigs
• Investigate any signs of ill health or unusual behaviour seen in your pigs without delay. Consult with your private veterinarian to ensure you apply the most effective treatment.
• Be aware of the important pests and diseases of pigs

Some pests and diseases are notifiable because they are exotic to Australia (such as foot-and-mouth disease) and if established here could impact severely on animal health, trade, livestock production, human health, or the environment. See the Notifiable animal pests and diseases in NSW prime fact.

Some pests and diseases are classified as prohibited matter because they have severe consequences in terms of livestock productivity, trade, or human health. See the Prohibited matter animal pests and diseases prime fact.

See the NSW DPI Pig Health and Diseases and Australian Pork Limited’s Biosecurity resources

You must notify the suspicion or awareness of a biosecurity event. A biosecurity event occurs where there is an adverse effect on the economy, the environment, or the community related to the introduction, presence, spread, or increase of a disease/disease agent or pest into or within NSW or any part of NSW. For example, biosecurity events could include new or emerging disease events and prohibited pig feed events such as feeding ‘swill’ to pigs.

Keep a record of important contact numbers, including:

• Your local private veterinarian
• Your closest Local Land Services office, and
• The Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline – 1800 675 888

Always consider the risks of introducing parasites and diseases when bringing pigs onto your property. Request details about the herd health status of source herds prior to purchasing pigs and discuss any concerns with your private veterinarian before making a decision.

Keep introduced pigs separate from your existing herd for as long as possible after arrival and monitor them closely for signs of ill health. Do not delay in seeking advice if you have any concerns about their health status.