The Agriculture Ministry is again assuring of the safety of locally produced pork, as it issued an update on the recent PRRS outbreak.

PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) – also known as blue-ear pig disease – causes reproductive failure in breeding stock and respiratory tract illness in young pigs.

The issue was first reported by the Ministry in early June 2024.

It says affected premises remain under strict quarantine and are being managed to ensure the situation is contained.

It adds that an extensive country-wide surveillance has been implemented, with all test results so far returning negative for PRRS, African Swine Fever, and Classical Swine Fever.

Testing is ongoing in various regions, and the Ministry says it expects to have complete results soon.

It adds that since this issue was identified, there has been significant support both locally and internationally, with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Veterinary Services of Chile providing technical response assistance.

UWI’s School of Veterinary Medicine has also supplied essential materials and supplies, while the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture has offered emergency funding.