Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes significant losses to the swine industry worldwide, which leads to launching eradication programmes. The PRRS eradication programme in Hungary is based on the territorial principle, and it is obligatory for each swine farm irrespective of the number of animals kept there. Hungary has an exceptionally large herd size in large-scale pig farms. Large fattening farms operate as all-in/all-out or continuous flow systems. The large-scale breeding herds are predominantly farrow-to-finish types. In large-scale breeding farms, PRRS eradication was carried out by the depopulation-repopulation method in 33 farms, of which 23 received state compensation, 18 farm units either finished production or changed to producing fatteners only. Two farms used the test and removal method for eradication. One farm was classified as ‘vaccinated free’. At this farm the breeding animals are vaccinated continuously but there is no vaccination of the progeny at any age, and the PRRS-free status of the farm is strictly controlled and monitored. By 31 December 2019, all pigs in five euroregions of Hungary had become free from PRRS virus, while the PRRS eradication process is still ongoing in the remaining two regions.

Between November 2016 and April 2017, 240 H5N8 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian infl uenza have been registered in Hungary resulting in the culling of 3.45 million poultry. Aiming at the prevention of the reoccurrence of the public scare experienced in regard of the H5N1 outbreak in 2006, in 2016 a more proactive and responsive communication activity has been implemented, which resulted in a total of 1661 media appearances. For consistent and credible information, all press inquiries were answered by the Chief Veterinary Offi cer of Hungary, and journalists received the requested information usually within 8 hours. In order to understand how effective communication methods help to stop decrease of poultry meat consumption, determinative factors according to consumer risk perception and changes in poultry meat consumption were identifi ed. Analysis of the consumer survey conducted in 2016 showed that education and gender were the most important socio-demographic variables, though poultry consumption was almost completely undisturbed. The results of the 2016 consumer survey were compared to a corresponding dataset published on the 2006 avian infl uenza public scare, which showed 12.6% increase in the number of those respondents, who have not changed their consumption behaviour due to avian infl uenza.

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an infectious disease with widespread distribution and is currently a major cause of economic loss in pig production. In Hungary, a National PRRS Eradication Program was introduced in order to reach a more efficient, economic and competitive international market position. The EU also approved the program, but the resultant legal obligations placed a burden on Hungarian producers in order to comply with EU competition rules. The veterinary authorities carried out the implementation of the program with the consent, continuous support and monitoring by the organizations of the pig industry as well as a scientific committee. The PRRS eradication program in Hungary was based on a regional territorial principle and was obligatory for every swine farm within those regions. In Hungary large fattening farms operate as all-in/all-out or continuous flow system. The large-scale breeding herds are predominantly farrow-to-finish types. Although its significance has decreased in recent decades, 20% of the Hungarian pig population is still kept in small-scale (backyard) farms (< 100 animals). Each PRRS-infected large-scale farm had to develop a unit-adapted eradication plan, including external and internal biosecurity measures, vaccinations, etc. It was crucial to render each fattening unit free of the disease since fattening units play a significant role in spreading the virus across the country. Eradication efforts mainly implemented depopulation-repopulation methods, with some farms using the test and removal method instead. Results: As the eradication progressed over the years, the introduction of infected fattening pigs was restricted. Because of these measures, by the end of 2018, Hungarian large-scale fattening farms became free of PRRS. The PRRS-free status of the small-scale herds was achieved by the end of 2015, and this status was maintained from 2016–2021. By the 31st of December in 2021, all breeding pigs at large scale-farms in Hungary had become free of wild type PRRS virus. By the 31st of March in 2022, the total pig population of the country, including all backyard farms and fattening units, had achieved PRRS-free status. Conclusions: The future goal is to secure and maintain the PRRS free status of Hungary by strict import regulations of live animals combined with continuous and thorough screening of incoming and resident herds for the presence of the virus.