June 2010

Summary of Speech at 1st General Assembly of EAPHM - Hannover 27th May 2010

I feel greatly honoured to have been asked to become the inaugural President of the newly formed European Association for Porcine Health and Management. I will do my best over the next two years to help develop the EAPHM into a flourishing organisation that is able to meet the several challenges that face pig veterinarians throughout Europe over the coming years. The ultimate objectives of the EAPHM must be to foster the success of European pig producers, whom we serve and, of course, the health and the welfare of their pigs.

Why do we need a European Association? As I see it, there are broadly four main reasons. First, the European pig industry is the second largest in the world. With an estimated 259 million pigs produced per annum, it is a long way behind China (680 million) but some way ahead of the United States of America (106 million). The health and welfare of these pigs are in the hands of very many veterinarians who will benefit enormously from being members of a central association.

Secondly, we can establish a marriage between academia and practice. The European College of Porcine Health and Management (ECPHM) is already established with its strong links with universities and research. Veterinary practice needs the fuel of research and development but it is imperative that research and development is pertinent to the needs of veterinarians and their clients. Thus I believe it must be directed to a certain extent by practitioners. It is very much a two-way relationship.

Thirdly, and very much related to the second point, members of a European Association will benefit from a cross-fertilisation of ideas. In this context it is hoped that the EAPHM will foster the opportunity for excellent continual professional development of its members, as well as supporting the development of new generations of veterinarians with a keen interest in pig health and welfare. The ultimate goal is the harmonisation of post-graduate training for pig veterinarians across Europe.

Fourthly, a European Association will be well placed to participate in the development of pertinent legislation in Europe, such as regulations dealing with animal welfare, use of medicines and so on. Practitioners must in my view take a leading rôle in these matters because it is us who have the experience necessary to advise the legislators of the realities and practicalities of pig production. The new Executive Committee faces the immediate challenge of establishing the EAPHM in the pig industry community and it is clear that this will take a little time. We must walk before we can run. Once established, pig practitioners can together face the challenges of the future, of which there are likely to be many. We are always likely to be confronted with new and emerging diseases, with risks of notifiable diseases, with the pressures of consumerism and environmentalism, with decisions on new technology and with threats of restrictions on the use of antibiotics and other medicines. It is within the framework of the EAPHM that we can strive to ensure that everything we do as practitioners for the benefit of our clients and their pigs will stand up to ethical and scientific scrutiny.

J D Mackinnon