A really important development today. The research is critical, but the implicit admissions contained in the media release are also important and represent serious progress in publicly recognising the need for openness over pig health.
We have long known that the PRRS vaccines did not work well: now we are told why. That is a massive advance. They have been sold as a solution, especially in North America, for too long.
We are not so sure about any suggestion of natural immunity in some breeds.
It is often this idea that drives the massive profitable international movements of breeding pigs, embryos and semen carrying disease rather than preventing it.
And indeed the researchers clearly recognise those risks.
Full media release is here.
Study targets costly pig virus
Apr 11, 2013A fast mutating virus that affects pig herds and costs pork producers millions of pounds each year is being targeted by scientists.
A transatlantic research group is to tackle porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)...
