Local Land Services says swill feeding is illegal and poses significant risks for introducing and spreading Emergency Animal Diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever.
Australia remains free from FMD and ASF, and an outbreak would severely affect the Australian livestock industry with devastating consequences for producers and communities.
Swill feeding includes carcasses and meat scraps whether raw, cooked or processed, blood and bones, offal and hides, and products that have been in contact with animal products, including cooking oil, fruit and vegetables, and bakery items.
Additional biosecurity obligations require landholders to count all pigs in their Annual Land and Stock Returns, helping Local Land Services respond quickly and accurately to EAD outbreaks or other biosecurity events.
Producers moving pigs from or to their property must register with PigPass, the national tracking system for pig movement in Australia, ensuring food safety, animal disease control and welfare.
Livestock producers can seek further information and local advice about pigs, swill feeding and other livestock by contacting a NSW Government Local Land Services district veterinarian on 1300 795 299 or visiting the NSW Government's swill feeding pigs webpage.
During the Christmas holiday shutdown period, livestock producers with concerns or suspecting an emergency animal disease should immediately call the EAD hotline on 1800 675 888.
