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A strong second half to the year could see Ireland’s pork exports to Japan exceed 4,000 tonnes, surpassing 2008 volumes. The recovery in Irish pork sales to Japan has defied a challenging market which has seen overall per capita consumption decline.

The OIE informed yesterday on the subclinical infection of Aujeszky disease on two French farms.

A very solid June performance allowed U.S. Pork exports to finish the first half of 2010 with strong momentum. According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), pork exports of 164,000 metric tons (361.6 million pounds) were 24 percent higher than June 2009. Pork export value was $316.4 million, up 34 percent.

Post forecasts pork production to increase in 2011 at an average rate of nearly 3 percent. USDA projections reflect current optimism of pork exporters for increasing exports during next year and assume that the worst of the global financial turmoil has past. However, traders remain cautious about the impact of the valuation of the Brazilian currency and access to credit for main importers, such as Russia.

Contrary to popular thought, small family farms dominate U.S. agriculture and hold the most agricultural assets, including farmland, according to the Economic Research Service (ERS).

The latest information from the Danmarks Statistik shows that in 1989 the number of livestock farms rose to 81.223, shrinking by half in 20 years, with only 41.384 farms.

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.