JSR Genetics is one of the world's foremost pig genetics businesses. And it has just issued a warning to farmers in both Asia and Europe about the risk of buying stock which has falsely been labelled with the now highly desirable 'JSR' brand.

The company, which is active in many of the major world pig markets, is becoming increasingly aware of farmers who proudly proclaim their pigs to be 'JSR' pigs when no connection to any of the JSR nucleus herds can be established. In most cases this is the result of farmers buying pigs which are falsely claimed to be descended from the JSR breeding programme, often in areas where JSR has had no sales and no such stock exists.

"Despite our best efforts to prevent it, like every genetics business we do see some genetic leakage, explains Dr Grant Walling, JSR's Director of Research and Genetics. "Imitation is supposedly the sincerest form of flattery, but in this case it is flattery that both JSR and the customer could very well do without."

"It is clear that the reputation that attaches to our stock attracts buyers and contributes substantially to enhanced stock values. This in turn has attracted some unscrupulous sellers who want to profit by deceiving buyers into believing that their ordinary stock is high value JSR stock." he added.

JSR is advising buyers that the only way to be sure of getting genuine JSR progeny is by buying either direct from JSR Genetics, through the head office in Yorkshire, or from one of JSR's listed international partners.

"All our partners are listed on our website www.jsrgenetics.com, if a supplier is not listed there, then they are not going to be supplying genuine JSR material. "We want to protect our customers from fraud and prevent damage to the good name of JSR stock in the market place, so if any buyer, any where in the world, has any doubts about the source of stock they are offered or have already bought, we are happy to provide a full checking service. "It only takes a phone call, direct to JSR Genetics, to be absolutely sure that what you are being offered is genuine," continues Dr Walling.

Paying premium prices for stock without being certain its genuine is an unnecessary risk according to JSR and one that leaves the buyer open to considerable disappointment and financial loss. So a phone call looks like a good investment for anyone who has any doubts at all.

Source: JSR Genetics - 28th January 2006