BIOSECURITY AND DISINFECTION AS THE FOUNDATION OF A PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MANAGEMENT MODEL IN PIG PRODUCTION
Keywords:
African swine fever, antimicrobial resistance, animal welfare, One Health, HACCP, epizootic monitoring, risk-based approach.Abstract
Pig farming is recognized as one of the most important sectors of animal husbandry, yet it is currently subjected to simultaneous epizootic, pharmacological, and regulatory pressures. Among the most serious challenges are African swine fever, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and the introduction of new veterinary legislation harmonized with European standards. In this study, the role of comprehensive biosecurity and effective disinfection was theoretically justified as the basis of a preventive veterinary management model in pig production. Systemic, comparative legal, bibliographic, and analytical methods were applied, and current approaches to the prevention of infectious diseases in pig farms were summarized. It was established that a transition from reactive treatment to preventive herd health management is the most effective and economically justified strategy for sectoral development. It was shown that disease-agent introduction and spread are reduced by biosecurity and disinfection, antibiotic therapy requirements are limited, and compliance with modern requirements for animal health and production safety is supported. It was also substantiated that disinfectant selection should be based on antimicrobial spectrum, resistance to organic load, safety for animals and personnel, and technological and economic feasibility. In addition, the proposed preventive approach is aligned with the One Health concept, through which animal health, production efficiency, and public health protection are integrated into a single management framework. Practical benefits are also expected from the adoption of such measures, since they may contribute to lower treatment costs, improved herd stability, and more sustainable production outcomes. The practical value of the study lies in the potential use of its results for the development of industry biosecurity protocols, cleaning and disinfection programs, and disease prevention systems for pig farms. The findings confirm that a preventive model based on biosecurity is a key instrument for improving the resilience, competitiveness, and biological safety of pig farming under contemporary conditions.
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