Concerns Grow Over Pig Virus

The European Commission has tightened rules on plasma product imports following outbreaks of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PEDv) in America, Asia and Canada.  The dried blood products are often imported into the EU and used in the early stages of weaning.  New rules state that plasma products must be heat treated at 80 degrees Celsius and stored at room temperature for at least 6 weeks before being imported.  Around 7 million pigs are said to have been lost in the US in the last year due to the virus, which mainly affects piglets; adult pigs usually survive.  A Rabobank report has predicted a 6-7% fall in US pork production in 2014.