Page 582 of articles about news in Swine news

For obvious ethical reasons, the use of animals in scientific experiments needs to be limited and their welfare improved. But this must be done without hindering research in Europe into fighting diseases, says the EP Agriculture Committee. In adopting on Tuesday a report drafted by Neil Parish (EPP-ED, UK), the Agriculture Committee backed these goals by a large majority.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have demonstrated how Salmonella’s ability to survive in amoeba is a huge advantage to its continued development as it may be more resistant to disinfectants and water treatment.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced he is extending the sign-up deadline for the 2009 direct and counter-cyclical payment program from June 1 to Aug. 14 to give producers more time to analyze their options under the 2008 farm bill. Vilsack, testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, said the move was in response to concerns he had heard from producers who were worried about making their decisions in time for the June 1 deadline.

Russia will consume 20% less pork this year and cut imports substantially as the global economic crisis drives consumers to buy cheaper poultry meat, Sergei Yushin, the head of the National Meat Association has said.

The European Commission said on Monday it had released 314 million euros (414 million dollars) to support farmers in poor countries as the first instalment in a one billion euro package.

In his latest report to WTO governments, Director-General Pascal Lamy warned last week there has been “significant slippage” by governments in their resistance to domestic protectionism. The WTO report gives examples of this protectionist slide from many G20 governments.

Monitoring research of meat products imported to Russia from some US, Spanish and Hungarian enterprises showed the content in them of such harmful forbidden substances as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria, antibiotics and some other drugs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase approximately $87 million worth of turkey, pork and lamb for federal food nutrition assistance programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on March 31. These purchases will assist the turkey, pork, lamb and walnut sectors, which are currently struggling due to depressed market conditions, Mr. Vilsack said. U.S.D.A. intends to spend $60 million on turkey products, $25 million for pork, $2 million of lamb and $29.7 million of walnuts. The agency will survey potential suppliers to seeking the lowest overall cost by publicly inviting bids and awarding contracts to responsible bidders.

On March 20, 2009, Russian President Medvedev signed a Decree establishing a federal Grain Company. The current state entity responsible for managing federal grain procurement and programs will be expanded to include shares from 31 state grain companies. The main priorities for this company will be to increase purchasing and selling of grain on the domestic market, to increase grain exports, to modernize and to construct new elevators and port terminals.

The OIE has informed about the presence of foot-and-mouth virus in Singang Township.

Meat exporters are calling for a moratorium on a planned increase to government inspection charges from July 1 that they say will cramp exports. Exporters will have to pay the entire cost of inspections by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) has released the “Small Enterprise Swine Operations in the United States 2007.”

A key strategic objective of the BPEX Road to Recovery 2006-2009 strategy is to rebuild industry confidence to invest in the future. In order that BPEX is able to assess its delivery of this objective an annual pig industry confidence survey has been established. Surveys were undertaken in January 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Sales in 2008 of U.S. purebred breeding swine in South China were brisk. Supply shortfalls, driven by increasing demand and decimation of animals due to an outbreak of blue ear disease in 2006, as well as governmental support of the swine industry to increase production and tap rural markets spell opportunities for U.S. breeders. Their supply of healthy, strong and productive U.S. purebred stock to China ensures top quality generations to come. This report examines production and market trends to uncover what the future holds for American hog breeders.

Decisions about how to handle animal diseases would move to an independent body under proposals announced for consultation by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Mr Benn said the proposals would see a new independent board established to make decisions about animal health policy and delivery, made up of members with knowledge, experience and skills in the livestock industry, animal health science and welfare and relevant public health, consumer and wildlife issues.

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2009 was 65.4 million head. This was down 3 percent from March 1, 2008 and down 2 percent from December 1, 2008. Breeding inventory, at 6.01 million head, was down 3 percent from last year and down 1 percent from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 59.4 million head, was down 3 percent from last year and down 2 percent from last quarter.