PCV2 Sow Vaccine gets star billing at 2008 Pig & Poultry Fair

A vaccine that has helped "revolutionise pig production in the UK" by reducing mortality and improving performance won two major industry awards at this year's British Pig & Poultry Fair.

CIRCOVAC® PCV2 vaccine, developed by Merial Animal Health to help pig farmers combat the debilitating pig-wasting disease PMWS, was named the "Best New Product" at the recent event at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

It also won the" Product Innovation Award" sponsored by 'Pig Marketing' magazine.

It is the country's first licensed PCV2 vaccine designed to fight PCV2 diseases including PMWS, which have swept through the country's herds causing huge economic losses since first diagnosed here at the beginning of the century.

Announcing the Pig Marketing Product Innovation award, British Pig Executive (BPEX) Chairman Stewart Houston said: "CIRCOVAC was a unanimously chosen winner – the feedback we are receiving from producers indicate this product has helped revolutionise the industry.

"I am using it myself and besides reducing mortality, it is also helping to improve performance. If this trend continues, CIRCOVAC will have a massive positive impact on the profitability of the UK pig industry."

Speaking afterwards, Merial product manager Andy Buglass said: "This is a fantastic endorsement of our product from independent judging panels, including producers and industry advisers. It cements our position as leaders in the fight against PCV2, the primary cause of PMWS and PDNS.

"CIRCOVAC is an effective tool against PCVD, which can deliver direct benefits when used in conjunction with the standard good management techniques already being used by most British pig producers."

Ends

Merial Animal Health Ltd, CM19 5TG, UK. CIRCOVAC® is a registered trademark of Merial Ltd. © Merial 2008. All rights reserved. Advice on the use of this or alternative medicines must be sought from the medicine prescriber. Legal Category: POM-V. Read packaging before use. CIRCOVAC contains inactivated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Further information can be

obtained by calling the Merial Customer Support Centre on 0800 592 699

Notes to editors:

The "Best Product Award" was sponsored by Pig World and the judges included pig industry advisers Stuart Bosworth and Gerry Brent. The "Product Innovation Award" was organised by Pig Marketing magazine and sponsored by leading monogastric feed company Associated British Nutrition (ABN), with BPEX chairman Stewart Huston presented the award

For further information, contact: - Merial Product Manager Andy Buglass on 01279 775 874 (email: andrew.buglass@merial.com).

About Merial

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2007 sales were nearly $2.5 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see www.merial.com