Page 578 of articles about news in Swine news

Germany has banned the only type of genetically-modified crop grown there, the highly insect-resistant MON 810 maize. Germany is the sixth EU country to introduce a provisional ban on the US biotech corn, after France, Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg and Greece.

The pig stock declined by 14.8 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007, while the number of pigs slaughtered increased by 8.3 per cent. In December 2008, the pig population amounted to 65,511 heads, representing a decline of 14.8 per cent, or 11,389 pigs over 2007. The stock of piglets rose by 0.5 per cent, while stocks of young and fattening pigs fell by 21.2 and 22.0 per cent respectively. Breeding stock, which consists mainly of breeding sows, fell by 3.4 per cent when compared to 2007.

Large quantities of U.S. pork and some U.S. beef are shipped to Mexico in large combo containers, which have proven to be an efficient and effective packaging method. In December, however, Mexico announced its intention to ban all incoming meat shipments in combo containers effective January 15. Mexico later revised this policy change by only prohibiting the use of combo containers for frozen meat. Fresh and chilled meats shipped in combo containers are still being accepted in Mexico, but these shipments are scheduled to undergo a change in inspection procedures on April 20. Under the proposed change, products from the top, bottom and middle of each combo bin would require inspection. According to Chad Russell, USMEF regional director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic, this type of inspection creates significant obstacles because of the time and resources required, and the potential for damaging the product.

Members attending Manitoba Pork Council's annual general meeting Tuesday in Winnipeg passed a by-law directing the board of directors to proceed with a series of structural changes designed to keep the organization current with changes in the pork industry. Council chairman Karl Kynoch explains, due to the fact that the pork industry has down-sized, producers felt it was appropriate to down-size the board of directors so an independent committee outside of council was formed to consult with producers and recommend changes.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has amended FSIS Directive 7120.1, which identifies substances approved for use in meat and poultry products as food additives.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila (Centre) is considering whether or not Finnish salmonella enforcement should be upgraded, and if legislation on animal feed should be amended in the light of the recent outbreak of salmonella at the Raisio Feed Ltd. feed plant.

The incidence of the most common foodborne illnesses has changed very little over the past three years, according to a 10-state report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on swine, cattle and other FMD-susceptible animals from Taiwan, Egypt and Lebanon after the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) confirmed reports of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in these countries.

Mortality in pigs was reported on the pig farm OOO “Romanovka” in the Salsky Rayon of the Rostovskaya Oblast. Lesions of internal organs typical of African swine fever were detected in dead animals after autopsy. Laboratory analysis of pathological material detected African swine fever virus. All pigs in the settlement of Romanovka (1,875 animals on the farm OOO “Romanovka” and 268 animals in private backyards) were subject to bloodless destruction and incineration. All roads in the settlement were disinfected, quarantine was imposed; veterinary and police posts were established along the roads of the rayon, disinfection barriers were imposed, earth roads leading to the settlement were turned over.

Red meat consumption is forecast to decline in 2009 as middle and lower income consumers are expected to replace consumption of red meat for cheaper processed meat and other protein sources. Despite the reduction in consumption, 2009 red meat production is not expected to decline dramatically. However, 2009 red meat imports from the U.S. are forecast to decline in large part to the fall in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar.

Total Canadian pork product exports are expected to slip in 2009 due to production declines in the Canadian hog sector. Total Canadian pork product exports are forecast at one million tonnes in 2009, down from 1.094 million tonnes in 2008 but similar to the 2007 export levels.

Farmers are being advised to make sure their insurance is up to scratch, following a spate of live animal thefts in the wake of rising meat prices. In the past month, 500 pigs were taken by rustlers from a farm in Staffordshire, 80 lambs and ewes were reported missing from Bridgewater, Somerset, and 20 sheep about to lamb disappeared from a field near Ulveston, Cumbria.

Meat imports to Russia declined more than two-fold in January – February. Pursuant to the data published yesterday, meat imports were down from 190.9 thousand tons ($498.6m) for two months last year to 95.6 thousand tons ($313.4m). Apart from that, poultry imports dropped from 162.3 to 87.8 thousand tons.

A wild pig that was killed by a producer has tested positive for pseudorabies. Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently contacting producers in the area to alert them to the situation and to advise them of symptoms and preventative measures. A similar outbreak of pseudorabies was discovered in this area in early 2007.

Demand for locally produced meat is set to continue, with the latest research revealing that the UK market for regional and local food has increased by £1.3bn since 2003. According to research from Food Northwest, the UK local and regional food and drink sector grew from an estimated market size of £3.7bn in 2003 to £5bn in 2007 – a 35% growth.

The Philippines is reportedly pushing for the delay of the full implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) in light of the current global economic recession. According to Gregorio San Diego of the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA), and Albert Lim of the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI), the poultry, egg and hog industries, as well as the rice sector, are still not ready for the full implementation of AFTA by January 2010.