Since its inception in 1946, Ontario Pork has invested and believed heavily in research to advance the swine industry.   Through its rigorous application process, various areas of swine production, economics and business sustainability, marketing and product development, and social research have been funded.  As with any industry, it is only through research that we can help to eliminate diseases, address issues, overcome challenges, or in some cases dispute unwarranted claims. 

As with all research projects, Ontario Pork evaluated the proposal submitted on transgenic pigs from the University of Guelph back in the late 1990’s.  It found merit in research that looked at being able to have pigs that depended on lesser feed stuffs in jurisdictions that don’t have available grains to feed them.  Meat from the pigs can be a source of protein for humans in countries that are overpopulated with little to no land available for farming or waste for that matter.  

The Enviropig pig was developed by, and the technology is owned by, researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario. Ontario Pork holds the trademark.  Ontario Pork and the University signed a joint development agreement for the sharing of any revenue that may be realized if this technology is commercialized.  Ontario Pork has a role in the process if the technology is licensed to insure that the interests of the pork industry are not disadvantaged.

Applications to the US Federal Department of Agriculture, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Environment Canada have all been submitted and are awaiting approvals.

Some Common Questions:

Why is animal waste a source of phosphorus pollution?
Phytate phosphorous is the major form of phosphorus in cereal grains but it is not digestible and is instead excreted in the manure of pigs and other animals.  This makes manure a leading source of phosphorus pollution.  Phosphorus pollutes surface and groundwater and promotes the growth of algae in rivers, lakes and streams, which reduces the available oxygen to fish and aquatic life.

How is the Enviropig™ different from other pigs?
Enviropigs™ have a gene that allows them to make phytase in the salivary gland and secrete it into its saliva, where it is swallowed with food. The phytase breaks down phytate phosphorus in the eaten food resulting in the release of phosphate in the pig’s stomach, where it can then be absorbed into the bloodstream, and used by the pig like other nutrients.

How was the Enviropig™  created?
Researchers combined two genes to make a new composite gene.  They combined one gene from bacteria that makes the enzyme phytase, with another very small portion of a gene from a mouse that controls the production of proteins secreted in the salivary gland.   This phytase is 99% identical to the commercially approved phytase already used as a supplement in most animal feed for pigs.  Phytase approved for used in feed has already been subjected to extensive safety testing and published literature is available.  Both phytase supplementation and expression by the pig do not affect the meat or the pig’s health.

Is the enzyme present anywhere other than the salivary gland?
Tests have been conducted on the saliva and tissues of both transgenic and non-transgenic pigs to determine the amount of phytase enzyme in various tissues. The results show that phytase is only produced in the salivary glands and not in the major food tissues.

Why is the Enviropig™  important for the pork industry?
First, like all Canadians, pork producers are worried about the environment and are looking for ways to reduce their collective 'environmental footprint.'  Also Enviropigs™ can save farmers money, since these new pigs eliminate the need to supplement the pigs' diet with digestible phosphorus.