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According to the latest data published by the French agricultural statistics survey, Agreste, in the “GraphAgri France 2010” report, during 2009 the French swine herd had a total of 14,6 million pigs, of which 0,9 million were sows.

Defra has published a report on sales of veterinary antimicrobials for 2009. The report, produced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), shows that total sales of therapeutic antimicrobials in 2009 was 402 tonnes, which was an increase of 18 tonnes (4.7%) when compared with 2008, when 384 tonnes were sold.

The Russian VPSS published a semiannual report on the epizootic situation in the country for the first half of 2010.

The biggest and most important single cost for pig producers is feed; on average it accounts for almost 60% of total production costs. It is no exaggeration to state that global rises in the price of feed are the biggest threat to the sustainability of English high welfare pig production and processing.

The European Commission takes note of the publication today of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Guidance for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of GM plants. The guidance is the primary tool for applicants when submitting applications for GM authorization and for Member States and EFSA when assessing the environmental risk of GM plants. It is expected to reach its final form after discussions – to be launched next month - between the Commission, Member States and stakeholders.

Over nine months of 2010, Ukraine imported 268,000 tons of meat and by-products, 17% less against the same period of 2009, while export of these products increased by 57% and made up over 37,000 tons, First Deputy Head of the State Customs Service Oleksandr Dorokhovskyi said.

The Chinese government has sold its second batch this year of frozen pork from state reserves to help stabilize prices, the Ministry of Commerce said on Nov. 10.

Market mechanisms to limit price volatility and speculation in the European livestock sector should be introduced urgently, say MEPs, as farmers are suffering a major crisis, partly due to rising costs of feed material, particularly cereals, which could lead to a significant fall in EU meat production. A combination of factors, including higher production costs (fuel, fertilisers and feed), greater competition from third countries, low prices paid to farmers and the high cost of complying with EU environment, animal health , food safety and labour criteria, is putting at risk the EU livestock sector. Parliament approved on Thursday, by show of hands, a resolution listing a number of recommendations to help improve the situation.