Environmental Impact of the Hungarian Swine Sector during the PRRS Eradication Program with Full Herd Replacement (2014-2022)

Simple Summary The PRRS eradication program in Hungary, carried out from 2014 to 2022, focused on replacing entire herds and using high-performance breeds to improve pig farming. This approach reduced the sow population by over 26% while keeping nearly the same number of pigs for slaughter. As a result, there were significant reductions in harmful emissions, such as ammonia and greenhouse gases, and a decrease in feed and water usage. The results show that tailored strategies and advanced breeding can make pig farming more efficient and environmentally friendly. This highlights the importance of collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry to create sustainable livestock practices.Abstract The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) eradication program in Hungary, implemented between 2014 and 2022, utilized complete herd replacement and the introduction of high-performance breeds to enhance production efficiency and environmental sustainability in the swine sector. As a result, the sow population was reduced by 26.2% while maintaining nearly the same number of slaughter pigs. This led to significant reductions in ammonia emissions (-145,857 kg), slurry production (-153,879 m3), nitrogen emissions (-1,409,951 kg), and overall greenhouse gas emissions (91,768,362 kg CO2eq). Additionally, the feed and water consumption were substantially decreased by 53,237,805 kg and 292,978,094 L, respectively, further lowering the sector's environmental footprint. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of customized eradication strategies and advanced breeding practices in reducing the environmental impact of animal husbandry. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable livestock production methods. The Hungarian experience provides valuable insights into how targeted interventions can simultaneously improve production outcomes and reduce the environmental burden in the swine industry.