Page 514 of articles about news in Swine news

Scientists at the Wageningen University's Animal Sciences Group (ASG) presented a brochure called 'Varkansen'. The research, conducted at the request of Dutch agriculture minister Gerda Verburg, developed three designs for more sustainability in pig production; in translation called the Pagode, the Pillar and the Pearl.

An official from China's Ministry of Agriculture said the ministry will allocate more subsidies nationwide in a bid to build more standardized pig farms, aiming to stabilize live hog production.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality commissioned research into the impact on the pig farmer of the necessity to comply with government measures relating to animal welfare (Pig Decree) and the environment (Ammoniac and Nitrate Directive) after the end of the transition period. Based on individual pig farms in the Farm Accountancy Data Network, it was investigated whether farms can finance the necessary investments and whether the farm will have any income after that investment. It was also investigated whether pig farms can use alternative forms of housing which require less extensive investments. The policy for which the transition period ends in 2013 has far-reaching consequences for the entire pig sector.

An international EU-funded partnership is leading the way in food quality and safety. Headed by the University of the West of England (UWE) in the UK, the project, which includes eight institutions from seven countries, will study the genetic aspects of food quality to improve safety standards.

The aim of this project is to eliminate MRSA in pigs, or at least achieve a significant reduction in the level of colonisation, thus lowering or preventing the risk of human beings being infected. To achieve this, phage endolysins are over-produced in E. coli or Pichia pastoris. They are purified for use in the in vivo treatment of experimentally infected animals.

Romania might resume exports of pork as of July after a commission of the European Union will check if hotbeds of swine fever still exist, Adrian Rădulescu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), said.

Overall exports volumes of pork retreated 17,000 tonnes to 101,900 tonnes.

Efforts to protect the nation from potentially catastrophic animal diseases will continue with a $21 million package from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Texas A&M University and Kansas State University. The monies will support the homeland security department's Center of Excellence for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense at the universities through 2016.

The latest figures published for the livestock census carried out on 15 November 2009 show a 10.6% decrease in the swine population in Belgium, dropping from 6,207,595 head in 2008 to 5,547,134 in 2009.

Brazil, Russia, India and China agreed to combat hunger and boost efforts to promote food security, according to a strategy signed by the countries' agriculture ministers in Moscow.

Recent studies by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and other research institutes indicate that, on average, 15 percent of wild boars hunted in Germany carry the hepatitis E virus.

The European Commission authorised a UK scheme with a budget of approximately £20 million (€22.3 million) which aims at supporting farmers in UK who encounter difficulties as a result of the current economic crisis. Aid under this scheme can be granted until 31 December 2010 and will take the form of a direct grant.

The Ohio House signed off on legislation establishing the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, the next step in the process following voter approval of the issue in November.

Ukrainian authorities have banned the import of pork from Russia's Southern, Central, and Volga federal districts.

European citizens broadly support the new aims of agricultural policy as conducted at European Union level and a majority are in favour of maintaining its budget. This is one of the main findings of a survey of people's attitudes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Wageningen UR's Swine Research Farm at Sterksel is to carry out research into carbon neutral pig farming using a mini-biogas plant. The Productschap Vee en Vlees (Cattle and Meat Marketing Board) will invest 170 thousand euros in a low-cost prototype design.