Effects of HACCP system implementation on medicine use and productivity of swine farms in Korea

This study was conducted to examine the effect of HACCP implementation on the cost of medicine use, antibiotic utilization, and productivity of swine in Korea. Data were collected from forty-five swine farms before and after implementation of a HACCP system. The cost of medicine used, the number of different antibiotics used and the number of feeds containing antibiotic supplements added at the feed company tended to be lower (p>0.05) after HACCP implementation. Additionally, the number of feeds containing antibiotics supplemented at the farm was significantly lower after HACCP implementation (p<0.05). Moreover, the number of piglets born per sow per year and pigs marketed per sow per year were higher after HACCP implementation (22.0, 20.0) than before HACCP implementation (20.4, 18.9). These results suggest that implementation of HACCP systems on swine farms may provide beneficial effects such as reduction of medical expenses and improved productivity, as well as increased safety of livestock products for consumers.