Page 608 of articles about news in Swine news

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to amend its domestic livestock regulations in order to enhance the traceability of animals in the United States. These proposed changes would create greater standardization and uniformity of official numbering systems and eartags used in both animal disease programs and the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Last year, despite a drop of 12.7% in the volume of pig meat exported, Brazil reached a record in revenue from these exports with an increase of 20% compared to the previous year. (Original in Portuguese. Read Google translation here).

Pork production in 2009 is forecast to reach 46 MMT, up three percent over 2008, but still well below pre-blue ear disease levels of 52 MMT in 2006.

Due to technical adaptations, Spain has asked the Commission to authorise the update of two methods (FOM and Autofom), the utilisation of two new methods (Ultrafom 300 and VCS2000) and the repeal of two methods (HGP and DEST).

The board of Ontario Pork has approved a temporary 10-cent-per-hog cut in the service levy fees hog producers pay.

Pursuant the resolution, the duty rate for pork imports is up to 75%, but not less than €1.5 per kilogram against 40% projected before, but not less than €0.55 per kilogram. Duty rate for poultry imported out of quota is increased up to 95%, but not less than €0.8 per kilogram against 40%, but not less than €0.32 per kilogram.

In a report out today (Tuesday 13 January) on the English pig industry, the Committee says that although the pig industry is highly competitive and is well known for being cyclical, the last ten years have seen a steady decline in the scale and productivity of the English pig industry and an increase in the pig meat imported into the UK to satisfy consumer demand.

The United States Department of Agriculture today announced details of the final regulation for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills. The full text of the final rule will be published in the Jan. 15, 2009 Federal Register. The rule becomes effective on March 16, 2009, 60 days after the date of publication.

Tesco yet again has strained its relationships with its suppliers, by demanding compensation from its pig meat suppliers for the loss of profits arising from the recent recall of pork products.

RSPCA is launching its “Rooting for Pigs” campaign today, calling on supermarkets and other food retailers to work with it to develop and sign up to a voluntary labelling agreement because there are currently no set definitions for pork product labelling. According to a poll conducted by RSPCA only two percent of those questioned understand the terms such as “outdoor bred” and “free range”.

Country of Origin Labelling has hit the trade in live pigs in North America. Translating the fourth-quarter figure to an annual equivalent suggests 2009 live swine imports will be roughly 6.5 million to 7 million head, the lowest tally since 2002.

Due to technical adaptations, Denmark has asked the Commission to authorise the update of four authorised methods and the utilisation of two updated methods (Autofom DK and FOM II).

During the first nine months of last year Germany became the top European exporter of pig meat, reaching a total of 1.5 million tonnes of pig meat and derived products, with an increase of 74% of exportations to third countries compared with the same period of the previous year. (Original in German. Read Google translation here)

Belarusian Veterinary Service has finished the inspection of some Russian meat processing plants which supply products to Belarus.

The Commerce Ministry will seek a Bt63.3-billion budget from the Cabinet to facilitate subsidy programmes for 11 farm goods this year. Of the total budget, Bt10 billion will be set aside for operation costs, and Bt53 billion will support pledging programmes for 11 products, comprising rice, maize, palm fruit, tapioca, rubber, sugarcane, egg, chicken, pork, shrimp, and fruits.

On 15 October 2008, The European Commission launched a consultation on agricultural product quality. At the close of the consultation period on 31 December 2008, more than 500 written responses had been received from a broad range of stakeholders: from farmers, retailers, European interest group representatives, local authorities, consumers, environmental NGOs, and many others.