Programme to eradicate pig disease

Ireland: Significant progress has been reported by the Department of Agriculture and Food on a national programme to eliminate Aujeszky’s disease from the national pig herd.

The disease does not affect consumers. However, it can cause serious production and welfare problems in herds and it can also have trade implications.

Minister of State Liam Aylward said testing for the disease was initiated in six phases, commencing in the north and moving southwards. To date, more than 44,000 blood samples have been analysed from over 760 herds, drawn from 26 counties.