Development of protocols for standard management and recording in pig research facilities

International audience

English. European pig research infrastructures have different focus areas, but share common challenges. All perform basic pig management and often the same standard traits are recorded, providing possibilities for (improvement of) standard operating procedures (SOPs) within and across facilities. Researchers are not always aware of SOPs and their impact on the quality of their studies and data, while facility staff might not be fully aware of the potential impact of deviation from standard procedures. To safeguard good research and data quality, this awareness needs to be improved in all involved parties In the PigWeb project, one of the aims is to improve and harmonise protocols for standard management and recording in pig experimental facilities of eight partners in the network. The process to reach this aim included three main steps: (1) Identification of key areas of standard management and recording; (2) Development of improved protocols based on compilation of current practises, and (3) SWOT analyses on implementation of improved protocols. We conclude that procedures varied between facilities but key areas with potential for improvements and harmonisation could be identified. Many facilities had no written SOPs in place, even though adequate routines were applied. The primary suggestion for improvement is that if SOPs are not in place, the first important step is to develop SOPs on current procedures, leading to harmonisation within the facility. The suggested improved protocols developed in the process described above are not to be used strictly, but as templates to facilitate and promote development of SOPs that suit the specific facility and initiate communication between facility staff and researchers. Important activities in further harmonisation over facilities are knowledge exchange on SOP development.