PIC – First live animal shipment to EU
For the first time in over 15 years, live breeding pigs have been delivered to continental Europe from the United States. In May, PIC successfully imported a total 45 grandparent boars for delivery to PIC Spain’s Artificial Insemination Centre (CIA) in Galicia, Spain and to customer CIA’s throughout the country.
A few months ago, this import wouldn’t have been possible; however, recent amendments to EU regulations now allow for the introduction of live breeding pigs from the United States.
Originating from PIC’s state of the art Genetic Nucleus, APEX, in South Dakota; the breeding pigs departed from Chicago O’Hare Airport and arrived in Luxembourg. They were then were transported by truck to Spain.
“This shipment was a great team effort between the PIC teams, USA and EU health officials,” said Mike Walters, director of PIC Export. “This and future planned shipments allows us to increase the rate of genetic improvement to our customers in Spain, and across Europe. This opens another pipeline from North America, in addition to our Canadian Genetic Nucleus, Aurora. With the continued exports from Canada, this shipment marks the first of several planned exports from the US to our PIC companies and partners throughout Europe; allowing PIC additional opportunities to meet the needs of the European market.”
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