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FDA approves gene-edited pigs resistant to costly swine disease

British animal genetics company Genus on Wednesday said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its PRP gene edit under its PRRS Resistant Pig ("PRP") programme for use in the US food supply chain, reported Reuters. The gene edit is designed to provide pigs resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a disease affecting swine globally, whose symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, premature births. PRRS caused an estimated $1.2 billion per year in lost production in the US pork industry from 2016 to 2020, an 80% increase from a decade earlier, according to an analysis published in 2024 by an Iowa State University expert. In its capital market update in November 2023, Genus had said that its PRP is resistant to prevalent PRRS strains. Genus' shares rose as much as 30% to a near six-month high, and were on track for their biggest one-day gain since December 2008. PRP won't really start affecting Genus' income statement until fiscal year 2027

US pork gains ground in New Zealand despite softening demand in Oceania

US pork exports to New Zealand reached 864 metric tonnes (mt) in February, a 19% increase from the previous year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Export value surged 54% to $3.7 million. Cumulative January–February shipments climbed 43% to 1,927 mt, with export value up 59% to $7.6 million. In contrast, overall pork exports to Oceania dipped slightly. Total volume for the region edged down 1% to 18,634 mt, while export value fell 2% year-over-year to $66.4 million, as Australian demand softened compared to last year’s elevated levels.

FDA approval for technology to breed PRRS-resistant pigs

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to swine genetics company PIC for the gene edit used in its pig resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). The FDA determined that the technology is safe and effective. The gene edit will be used to breed the company’s PRRS-resistant pigs, but the company adds that the approval does not automatically trigger commercialisation in the US. In a press release, the company said that it “becomes among the first companies to gain approval for gene editing in commercial livestock in the US.” “Milestone for the entire pork industry” PIC’s COO Matt Culbertson was quoted, saying it was a “major milestone for consumers, farmers and the entire pork industry.” He said, “We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the FDA to gain approval.” Also quoted was Banks Baker, the company’s global director of product sustainability. He said, “Addressing PRRS c

Former federal ag minister Charlie Mayer passes away

Charlie Mayer served as minister of agriculture for nearly all of 1993

Maple Leaf Foods Advances Spin-Off of Pork Division into Canada Packers Inc.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI) has announced a major step forward in its previously disclosed plan to spin off its pork operations into a separate entity, Canada Packers Inc. The company has secured an interim court order allowing it to proceed with a special shareholder meeting scheduled for June 11, 2025, to vote on the transaction.