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the number of livestock in Slovenia declined further in 2010, most notably in pig and poultry breeding. Since 2006, the number of pigs had decreased from 575,000 to 395,500 in December 2010, with the number of farms breeding pigs falling by 4,000 to 31,000 in 2010.

Teagasc has outlined the developments required for each of the major farming enterprises and the food sector over the next seven years to 2018. The nine Teagasc Road Maps covering dairy, suckler beef, pigs, sheep, tillage, forestry, horticulture, food and the environment, summarize the expected changes in the shape and size of the individual sectors in the context of the main market and policy issues facing Irish producers in each enterprise.

MEPs from the Environment Committee voted to allow EU countries to ban or restrict the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on environmental grounds, giving them better legal protection in the event of challenges from trading partners opposed to a ban. "Our proposal offers states a solid, legal basis," said French Liberal Corinne Lepage, Parliament's draftswoman for the rules.

Throughout 2010 the number of pigs slaughtered in commercial slaughterhouses reached 5,577,579 animals, which represents a slight increase of approximately 0.7% with respect to the year before, during which a total of de 5,537,389 animals were slaughtered.

Throughout the month of March, Brazilian pork exportations decreased by 11,60% with respect to the same month last year, going from 50,111 tons to 44,299 tons. In terms of value, the decrease was 1.70%, going from 119.50 million dollars in March 2010 to 117.47 million in March of this year.

A commercial pig farm was opened at Veiwawa in Navua by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Primary Industries, Joketani Cokanasiga. In his opening speech, Mr. Cokanasiga said that pig production in rural areas is wide spread and offer great opportunity as an income generation activity, enhance food security and contribute towards poverty alleviation.

Cambodia is threatened by a shortage of pork as pig farmers are leaving the business due to high input cost.

A resolution drafted by Agriculture Committee Chair Paolo de Castro calls for better research and analysis of the impact and more prudent use of antimicrobials in animals.

EU Member States should be able to state environmental grounds, such as pesticide resistance, for restricting or banning the cultivation of EU-approved genetically-modified crops, said the Environment Committee on Tuesday. Stating these grounds could strengthen legal protection against possible WTO challenges to GMO bans, it added.