The objective of the programme is to officially eliminate Aujeszky's Disease from the national pig herd. This will be of significant benefit to the whole Irish pig sector by recognising the health standard of the national herd and protecting our access to export markets.

Mr Smith said, "I am delighted with the progress made in this programme to date. Following two national testing phases we are now at the stage where Aujeszky's Disease has been practically eliminated from Ireland. I would like to thank pig herd owners, the farm representative bodies and veterinary practitioners as well as my Department staff for the level of co-operation and commitment they have shown. The future of agriculture in the country will be influenced to a very large extent by our ability to control and eradicate animal diseases and I place a very high priority on the programme.

Detailed testing arrangements for phase 3 of the programme, are now being finalised, and herd owners will receive notification to test in due course, Mr Smith said.

"A key result of this phase of the programme is official recognition in Brussels for the health status that has been achieved. I would urge all herd owners to make the necessary arrangement to test their herd as soon as possible following notification so that the national programme can be concluded speedily. I have ensured that all necessary resources for this phase of the programme, which will be implemented by the Department's local office in Ballybay, have been put in place," Mr Smith concluded.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on Aujeszky's disease by clicking here.