July 31, 2008

BPEX pig project on track to 'phenomenal' success

More than a million piglets have been vaccinated against Porcine Circovirus-2 (PCV2) as part of a British Pig Executive (BPEX) pig research project, with BPEX Director Mark Wilson saying that the participation was "nothing short of phenomenal".

Launched in April, the GBP1.5 million vaccine voucher scheme might have five million pigs vaccinated against PCV2 by the end of the year, said Wilson.

Wilson said the project is already showing results, with farmers saying that pigs are finishing two weeks faster and earning the equivalent of one extra pig per litter. 

The BPEX project hopes to lift UK's ailing pig industry which had been hit by disease. Recently in June, UK pig producers came under investigation after images of diseased pigs were leaked to a newspaper.