University of Guelph Announces End to Enviropig Herd

The Guelph Mercury News online reports that the University of Guelph will no longer maintain its herd of “enviropigs.” Ontario Pork recently decided to end research funding of the enviropig program after more than a decade. The university had been working since the 1990s on development of pigs that excrete lower phosphorus levels in order to help address environmental concerns. Some groups that oppose genetic modification have expressed concern about the pigs over the years. The university says research will continue, but the herd is no longer needed.