Page 760 of articles about news

The European Parliament has voted to revise legislation on animals used for scientific purposes. The revised legislation, first proposed by the European Commission in 2008, will strengthen the protection of animals still needed for research and safety testing. The new directive will also play a significant role in minimising the number of animals used in experiments, and require alternatives to be used where possible, whilst ensuring a level playing field for EU industry and enhancing the quality of research conducted in the EU.

The total pork export during the first half of this year increased by 143.000 tons with respect to the same period last year, reaching a total of 1.291.846 tons, equalling an increase of 12%.

The latest information published by the Austrian Institute of Statistics shows a 0,5% decline in the pig census as of June 2010, compared with December 2009, with a total of 3,12 million animals.

The Turkish livestock industry, recently on the agenda because of price hikes in meat imports, is now facing further difficulties in containing foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD.

The latest information on piglet exports for Denmark and Holland show an increase of 8,04% in Holland during the first 8 months of the year and 6,09% in Denmark during the first 7 months.

The Pork Checkoff, in cooperation with the USDA, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and participating diagnostic laboratories, will be launching a new campaign next month to encourage pork producers to participate in swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance when their pigs show signs of respiratory disease.

The food processing industry is counted among the fastest growing industries in China. The industry has been growing at a double digit rate on account of rapid economic growth and rising disposable income that has created strong demand for high quality processed food. Changing food consumption pattern and growing appetite for variety of new taste make this industry lucrative for new as well as existing players.

The Government of Canada is investing in cutting-edge research to grow market opportunities and maintain a bright future for the Canadian organic industry. An investment of $6.5 million will bring together scientific expertise from academia, industry and government to develop more efficient and profitable processes for organic farmers.

Russian pork imports during the first half of 2010 jumped 15% year-on-year, to 308,900 tonnes swt, driven by a recover in demand and tighter local production.

Net farm income is forecast to be $77.1 billion in 2010, up $14.9 billion (24 percent) from 2009. The 2010 forecast is $12.3 billion above the average of $64.8 billion in net farm income earned annually in the previous 10 years and is the fourth largest amount of income earned in U.S. farming. Cash receipts are expected to increase 6.5 percent, due mainly to higher livestock receipts.

In a report drafted by José Bové (Greens/EFA, FR) and approved by a show of hands, MEPs suggest ways to tackle abuse of dominant positions, unfair commercial and contractual practices and late payments, and to improve producers' position in the food market. The report, a response a Commission communication, sets out MEPs' ideas on to improve the functioning of the food supply chain for the benefit of producers and citizens.

After negotiations with the EU that allowed for a long transition period, Switzerland will ban the use of swill in pig feed as of the mid-2011. The EU, given the connection between the use of swill in pig feed and the appearance of epizootic diseases, banned their use in 2002.

The Blue ear disease that has hit 13 provinces in Vietnam has resulted in a huge loss for farmers.

Pham Duc Binh, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Animal Feed Association, said Vietnam will import 1.25 million tonnes, the same as last year.

Corn futures in Chicago generated record trading Sept. 3 as signs that U.S. farmers won’t harvest as large a crop as once expected fueled buying from speculators.

The detection of links between animal production systems around the world, climate change and the epidemiological evolution of animal diseases was the focus of a meeting organised by the OIE with experts from several continents.