The National Pork Board has placed a special call for proposals about on-farm euthanasia of swine.

The deadline for proposals to be submitted is 5 p.m. central daylight time April 28, 2009.

Euthanasia is an inevitable part of swine production. However, there are a limited number of humane methods available for pork producers to use – especially for nursing pigs up to 12 lb. and nursery pigs up to 70 lb.

The Pork Board’s Animal Welfare Committee has committed $500,000 specifically for on-farm euthanasia research. Proposals are being solicited that:

--Validate existing recommended methods of euthanasia of swine, especially for nursing and nursery pigs.

--Identify and validate new methods of euthanasia of swine.

The full details of the research funding proposal (RFP) can be found at www.pork.org.

Questions about the RFPs can be directed to Sherrie Niekamp at sniekamp@pork.or or (515) 223-3533.

For specific questions about the Web site and submission process, contact Beverly Everitt, Research Programs assistant, at beveritt@pork.org or (515) 223-2750.