Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) testing has always been a required part of the animal health and welfare review for pigs.
Currently, the only way to test for PRRS is by using oral fluid samples. You told us this approach can be impractical and unreliable for some systems, particularly outdoor herds.
From 22 January, vets will be able to take blood samples as an alternative to oral fluid samples when testing pigs for PRRS.
This change follows feedback from across the pig sector, including farmers, vets, producers and integrators.
Including blood samples as an additional testing option should make it easier for pig farmers to take part in the animal health and welfare review.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
PRRS remains one of the most significant diseases affecting pig health and productivity. It is a viral disease that affects pigs of all ages and can be difficult to control once it is on a unit.
In breeding herds, PRRS can affect reproduction, with higher losses and weaker piglets. In growing pigs, it affects the immune system and lungs, leading to slower growth, poorer feed efficiency and a higher risk of secondary infections.
For farmers, this means higher mortality, increased medicine use and more labour, often even when clinical signs are mild. PRRS also spreads easily within and between herds, so a single introduction can have long-lasting effects.
Understanding PRRS status helps farmers and vets make informed decisions on biosecurity, vaccination and herd health planning, which is why testing plays an important role in managing the disease.
Animal health and welfare review
The animal health and welfare review supports farmers to work with their vet to better understand disease risks and take action.
Fewer pig farmers are making use of the benefits of the review. One of the reasons raised by the sector was the lack of flexibility in sampling methods.
For many, blood sampling is a familiar and well-established method for PRRS testing. Allowing this option should:
- make testing easier to fit into routine vet visits
- make it more practical for outdoor and large herds
- increase confidence in sample quality and the results
- remove barriers to accessing a vet visit
The intention isn’t to replace oral fluid testing, but to give vets and farmers the flexibility to choose the most appropriate method for their herd and business.
Feedback from the sector has directly informed this change, and the expectation is that it will help more pig keepers benefit from the scheme.
Learn more
If you have looked at the animal health and welfare review before and felt it was not right for your system, this change may make it more workable.
If you have not taken part yet, look at the guidance, which has been updated to reflect the change.
It's worth having a conversation with your vet to see whether the review could now work for you.
Finally, payment rates for both the animal health and welfare review and the endemic disease follow-up will increase from today.
Read our blog post on the payment uplift for vet visits for more information and the rates for other species.
Increased rates
| Species | Animal health and welfare review | Endemic disease follow-up | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | New | Current | New | |
| Pigs | £557 | £648 | £923 | £1,087 |
| Sheep | £436 | £574 | £639 | £658 |
| Beef Cattle | £552 | £647 | £837 | £954 |
| Dairy Cattle | £372 | £447 | £1,714 | £1,844 |
| Biosecurity (All Cattle) | – | – | £215 | £258 |
The 
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