Page 33 of articles about environment

The Ministry of Economics, Agriculture and Innovation asked LEI to investigate the macro-economic effects of reduced-phosphorous feed. This request was translated into research into the influence of reduced phosphorous feed on the price of pig feeds, the influence on the manure surplus in kilos of phosphate, the effect on the necessary processing capacity of pig manure and the costs savings that this achieves. In addition, the research looked into the risks perceived by the animal feed industry, both for the industry itself and for pig farmers.

The Technological Platform of Sustainable Agriculture presented last week the “Early Indicators of Sustainability in Agriculture and Livestock Farming”.

The Dutch pig-farming sector is operating within a competitive European market, and production costs play an important role in the sector’s competitiveness. At €1.41 per kg of slaughter weight in 2009, the Netherlands’ production costs are fairly average compared with those in rival countries within Europe. However, Dutch pig farmers pay a relatively high price for the disposal of manure: 5% of the production costs.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) today launched its Opinion on mutilations and environmental enrichment in piglets and growing pigs. The Opinion advises Government about the impact on young pigs’ welfare of the various mutilations that they may be subject to during their lives. The procedures include tail docking, tooth clipping, identification and castration.

Manitoba Pork is proud to present a strong vision for long-term sustainability on behalf of the province’s pork producers. The plan, called Embracing a Sustainable Future, is to be shared with all Manitobans.

In a unanimous decision issued today, a federal court ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cannot require livestock operations to obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits unless and until they have a discharge of manure into a waterway of the United States.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov met with farmers on a regular meeting, held in Plovdiv. Formation of the Advisory Board on livestock breeding to work on problems in the sector were discussed at the meeting Various representatives of the sector, experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and members of trade unions.

The Commission has published a new report by the Joint Research Centre looking at the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) effects of European livestock. It was commissioned to provide an estimation of the net emissions of GHG generated by EU animal production on the basis of a life-cycle assessment.

Manitoba pig producers will soon have access to more than $26 million to help them improve manure management and to reduce the risk of water contamination. This strategic investment was announced today by federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers.