January 15, 2008

British Pig Executive approves vaccination project to fight PCV2

The British Pig Executive (BPEX) has approved a new GBP2 million (US$3.9 million) vaccination project.

The project, which is still in development, would hand producers vouchers for PCV2 vaccines as part of a project to make improvements to herd health, welfare, mortality and physical performance.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said the voucher programme would probably last nine months and would involve accurate recording during vaccination.

Discovered in the 1990s, PCV2 causes a pig to experience slowed growth and other health problems such as enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes, frequent dyspnea, noncollapsed and mottled lungs and occasionally jaundice.

Through this project, the individual and national pig industry would gain benefits, such as independent evaluation of the efficacy and cost benefits of PCV2 vaccines

The project would also foster development of a sustainable strategy for the control of Circovirus diseases in pigs and boost the industry's confidence through the commitment demonstrated to improving herd health.

All English pig levy payers would be eligible to join the programme.