July 8, 2013

Ireland's agriculture and food development authority, Teagasc, committed to the Irish pig sector a funding of almost €3 million (US$3.8 million) to construct a modern state-of-the-art research facility incorporating a food test facility.

The new centre will enable Teagasc to conduct pig research as an essential component of an integrated pig research, knowledge transfer and training programme and to facilitate research on pigs connected to the evaluation of the health benefits of functional foods.

The pig research unit will provide facilities for conducting research on various aspects of pig production including nutrition, pig health & welfare, meat quality, food safety, housing, husbandry and the environment.

No comparable facility exists in Ireland and it will be one of few new facilities in Europe.