Improving the production and competitiveness of Australian and Philippines pig production through better health and disease control

This project aimed to make Philippines and Australian pig production more efficient and competitive through improved diagnosis, better health and enhanced disease control.

Pig production is a major food animal industry in both the Philippines and Australia, but there are differences between the countries. Most of the industry in the Philippines is based on smallholder farmers, which does not occur in Australia. Both countries' industries need to improve efficiency and competitiveness. This project addressed that need.

In the Philippines, the project took an ecohealth approach that encouraged participatory, stakeholder-driven cycles of action-based learning. This work also spread improved disease diagnostic services through the country. In Australia, the research focused on rapid, high technology diagnostic assays to allow industry to implement better targeted disease prevention and control programs.