PRRS Pilot Project Republic of Ireland (ROI)

Image showing a photo of four pigs in a shed

By: Emma O’Connor

Pig HealthCheck Innovation Broker

29 August 2025

Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS)
According to Teagasc research, PRRS-positive farms face additional costs of 4–7 cent per kg of meat, not only due to the virus itself but also because it increases vulnerability to secondary pathogens like Pasteurella and Streptococcus. This raises labour and medicine costs, mortality rates, and reduces growth performance.

PRRS Regional Control Programme in Northern Ireland (NI)

Recognising this, Pig Regen and DAERA launched the PRRS Regional Control Programme five years ago in Northern Ireland (NI), funded by the European Innovation Partnership (EIP). The pilot, focused on a 5km radius around Cookstown, delivered significant benefits, including more pigs born alive, higher weaning weights, fewer factory lesions (e.g., pericarditis, pleurisy), and, importantly, demonstrated the value of stakeholder collaboration. The programme is now being expanded across NI.

Pilot Programme Requirements

The farms participating in the programme do not need to change their vaccine, only timing synchronisation if following a blanket vaccination protocol. The farm’s nominated vet visits the farm and collects samples for testing farm status. Vets will also assess biosecurity using Biocheck.UGent tools to recommend simple, impactful changes such as more frequent needle changes or colour-coding equipment. The project will run for two years and will be reviewed annually.

Initial meetings have been held with farmers in these areas and the engagement with the project has been good so far.

A photo from PRRS Farmer Meeting held in Cavan organised by Animal Health Ireland — PRRS Farmer Meeting held in Cavan

Key Actions of the Programme

Regular farm testing to track virus types and evolution.
Mapping farms to record locations and PRRS status.
Synchronising vaccination schedules across farms.
Implementing tailored biosecurity measures to reduce virus circulation.

To achieve all-island control, the IFA partnered with Teagasc and AHI to pilot the approach in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), starting with farms in Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal, especially those near the border. Actions mirror those in NI: testing, mapping, synchronised vaccination, and biosecurity improvements.

Mapping farms and knowing their PRRS status is the critical first step. An AHI survey identified 92 farms in the border region: 66.3% positive or suspected positive, 28.3% negative, and 5.4% unknown status. Most positive farms vaccinate sows, but few vaccinate piglets. Mapping helps target interventions to protect negative farms and minimise virus circulation in positive ones.