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Pig farmers contacted by semen suppliers Elite Sires last week over potential blue ear fears will be relieved to learn that test results now indicate a false alarm.
Blue ear or porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) can devastate pig herds and is transmitted via semen or needles.
Elite Sires is believed to provide pig semen to up to one-third of Ireland’s pig herd.
In a statement, it said: “All boars to date at Elite Sires studs have tested negative for both strains of PRRS.” However, concerns remain that some pig farmers may have already independently culled sows over fears of a PRRS outbreak, which could leave them without stock for the Christmas trade.
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