Page 557 of articles about news in Swine news

The federal government has made changes to its eligibility criteria for the Circovirus Inoculation Program. Applicants deemed to be part of a verifiable production flow will now receive compensation for the vaccination of sows.

Brazil’s 2009 pork exports are up 8 percent to 217,440 MT, valued at US$450 million, a decrease of 16 percent. The drop in value of both beef and pork exports is partially related to the devaluation of the Brazilian real compared to early 2008. Exports to Russia, also the top destination for Brazilian pork, increased by 20 percent to 111,796 MT and accounted for over half of Brazil’s export volume. Hong Kong is also a growth market for Brazilian pork, with exports up 20 percent to 41,518 MT.

In order to support and to improve the control and eradication measures as regards CSF in domestic pigs, EFSA was requested by the Commission to provide scientific advice on the safety of fresh meat (freedom from field virus) derived from vaccinated pigs. Specifically, two terms of reference were given: a) what is the risk that wild-type CSF virus is present in fresh meat obtained from pigs vaccinated in an emergency situation during an outbreak?; and b) what are the sampling schemes and testing procedures needed to detect field virus in fresh meat derived from such vaccinated pigs?

The Government of Canada is pleased that, effective June 30, Russia has lifted H1N1-related restrictions on pork and pork products from Quebec produced before June 2 and after June 30. Russia also lifted restrictions against some Ontario products, including beef and poultry.

Russia has lifted bans on imports of meat from the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Michigan, which were among many U.S. states that Moscow targeted amid the outbreak of H1N1 influenza.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued Directive 9500.4, Pre-Stamping Imported Product, which provides instruction to import inspection personnel regarding how they are to verify that the requirements for the pre-stamping of imported meat and poultry products are met and the associated procedures are followed.

Castration without anaesthesia will be banned in Switzerland from January 2010. Of the three possible alternatives finally the most accepted was castration under narcosis by inhalation. For Swiss swine producers this obligation involves considerable costs since it is necessary to acquire the anaesthesia apparatus, and it is because of this that the “Castration Fund” will begin from July 6 through agreement between users, producers and commerce, for an initial financing for a limited period of 15 months.

U.S. red meat companies taking advantage of the USDA’s Branded Products Promotion Program – administered through USMEF – rang up $6,920,063 in sales of U.S. beef and pork to international buyers in fiscal year 2008, an increase of nearly 27 percent over the previous year.

Largest domestic hog breeders have united to found a new special association, National Union of Hog Breeders, which would help Russia to become a world leader of pork production.

The Ohio Senate has unanimously approved a resolution that would allow voters to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which would provide oversight of how farm animals are raised.

After examination of materials submitted by the Veterinary Service of Brazil the Rosselkhoznadzor considers it possible to include Frigorifico Riosulense S/A No. 377 and Seara Alimentos S/A No. 490 establishments in the list of Brazil establishments authorized to export pork and raw pork products to Russia.

Yesterday, a new public institute of veterinary welfare opened, having been created by the veterinary faculty of Berne and the Federal Veterinary Office. The new institute will make a vital contribution to animal health and to alimentary and sanitary safety in Switzerland.

Pork producers are being reminded to review their use of feed/water tetracycline-class antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline) to make sure their use meets standards set by some export markets for U.S. Pork.

Following a request from the European Commission (DG Health and Consumer Protection), the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was requested for an opinion on porcine brucellosis (Brucella suis).

The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the proposed merger between Perdigão S.A. and Sadia S.A., both of Brazil. Both companies process and supply food products The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

Temporary restrictions shall be imposed on import of products from the following plants listed in the Attachment to the letter on 8 July 2009, since banned and harmful substances were detected in animal products produced in the USA, Brazil, Germany and Spain. In case consignments shipped from the mentioned German or Spanish plants before 8 July 2009 and shiploads from the mentioned US and Brazilian plants loaded before 8 July 2009 arrive in the Russian Federation, decision to license their import shall be made in accordance with the routine procedure and with the following obligatory laboratory control.