In Catalonia, the dense concentration of pig farms and the constant flow of vehicles and people between them have triggered the spread of diseases within the sector. This situation is exacerbated by increased livestock imports, posing an additional risk to local food security..
According to European animal welfare legislation, livestock movements within the Community must include compulsory stops every 24 hours, which, paradoxically, increases the risk of contagion at these stopping points.
Increased movements of imported animals leads to an increased risk of introduction of new pathogens or previously undetected strains into the country. In this context, biosecurity emerges as an essential pillar to prevent the entry and spread of diseases on pig farms, being a crucial tool to maintain and improve the overall health of the sector.
There is a clear need to prioritise the disinfection of truck traffic between farms, as lack of attention to this aspect encourages disease transmission between facilities. Consequently, the development of an intelligent tool to effectively disinfect the farm environment is urgently required. This approach will reduce the viral and bacterial load in the air that housed animals breathe, thereby strengthening their immune system and increasing their chances of resisting disease.
The main objective of the project is to carry out a feasibility study to assess whether a stand-alone environmental fogging prototype can lower the content of suspended pathogens and improve pig farm animal health and animal welfare.
For the prototype to be autonomous, it will be necessary to consider the use of sensors that allow us to predict the onset of a disease. The possibilities proposed are sensors that detect a decrease in movement or an increase in body temperature. Also, the installation of a flow meter that detects a drop in water consumption could indicate a viral or bacterial process. This would allow massive data collection and processing.
Supported by:
TOTAL BUDGET: 75.356,31€.
AMOUNT OF AID: 52.749,42€.
With the participation of: GSP-GIRONA, 333 CORPORATE SL, INNOVAC AND PORINOX SL.
Projectes amb ajut d'ACCIÓ - IRC Projectes “Desenvolupament i Innovació” 2022