The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resource’s principal veterinary officer for pigs Associate Professor Trish Holyoake said 188 new producers entered the pig industry in 2014, up from 155 in 2013. 

The five new staff will include two veterinarians as well as a vaccine production manager and business support officer.

Associate Professor Holyoake said the new workers would provide support to the expanding pig industry.

“Taking on two extra vets is a significant benefit to the pig industry," she said. 

"The vets provide independent control advice on veterinary disease diagnosis and control and add a layer of protection for biosecurity – including protection from Foot and Mouth Disease – as well as early detection and diagnosis."

She said the growth in the industry was primarily driven by small scale producers.

"The majority of these producers are rearing small numbers of pigs for their own consumption or for organic “slow food” or free range markets or just as a hobby," she said.

"I suspect for every new pig farmer in Victoria that we know about, there is another that we don’t know about."

These small scale producers may be unaware of some of the intricacies of raising pigs and would benefit from the new veterinarians' expertise, she said.

“It is likely that many individuals are unaware of the legal requirements of owning a pig – such as having a Property Identification Code, registered pig tattoo and adhering to welfare legislation," Associate Professor Holyoake said.

“It’s great that so many people are taking an interest in growing pigs, but I’d also like to encourage these operators to join our PigCare network to get information on how best to raise and feed pigs so they know how to care for their pigs and so they don’t pose a major biosecurity risk."