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Four scientists receive European PRRS Award 2022
“The European PRRS Research Award brings science and veterinary practice together" - Markus Hammer, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Boehringer Ingelheim supports research with a total of 75,000 EUR.

Scientists from across four European countries have been honoured by Boehringer Ingelheim for their practical work to improve pig health.

Diedrich Hendrickx of the Netherlands and Merel Postma from Belgium join Emil Lagumdzic from Austria and Arnaud Lebret of France in receiving the European PRRS Award 2022. 

Now in its ninth year, the award encourages research into novel methods of tackling Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and developing new practical strategies for its control.

Markus Hammer, global head of swine at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “The European PRRS Research Award brings science and veterinary practice together and promotes work that makes a difference for swine practitioners and their animals. We are pleased that the PRRS Award is so well received, and we are glad to support the promotion of excellent scientific work that has high value for practice."

PRRS affects growing piglets and adult pigs and leads to reproductive failure in breeding stock and respiratory tract illness. The virus also imposes a significant financial burden on swine producers across the globe: In the European Union alone, the total cost to the industry is estimated at 1.5 billion EUR annually. 

To encourage new PRRS control methods, Boehringer Ingelheim awards three outstanding research proposals 75,000 EUR in total every year.

This year, the independent jury awarded Diedrich Hendrickx and Merel Postma for developing an ADKAR change management model to wean piglets free of PRRS wild-type virus and understand the farmer's objection towards a PRRS-free future. The aim of this project is to coach the farm on how to set up and follow an individual PRRS control plan.

Jury members awarded Emil Lagumdzic for the gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD8+ T cells from gilts after PRRSV infection. Scientists hope that an improved understanding of the role of immune responses can enable the targeted development of efficacious vaccines.

Finally, Arnaud Lebret received the award for a descriptive study on PRRSV detection by qPCR in blood samples collected in positive stable herds following mass vaccination of sows with an MLV vaccine. 

Boehringer Ingelheim states: 'Objectifying the frequency of detection of vaccine strains would help practitioners in their choice when implementing vaccinal strategies against PRRSV.'

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.