Pork producers in Australia face a tough task just to survive in the business. It's a competitive environment with low pork prices and high feed costs characterizing the industry.
The presence of feral pigs that might transmit an exotic disease in the event of an outbreak can be yet another stress in the management of a piggery. Recently I gave a talk to some Queensland pork producers who were concerned about the possible involvement of feral pigs in outbreaks of pneumonia, which can cost a piggery a tonne of money. Following outbreaks of pneumonia in several commercial piggeries in the State, local feral pigs were found to be carrying the disease as well. This doesn't mean the disease came from the feral pigs, mind you: it's possible they got it from the commercial pigs. But it can't be a good thing.
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