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The genetic programme for the organic pig production sector that is most beneficial in the short term is a rotational crossbreeding structure with purebred and terminal AI boars that are specifically selected for organic pig production. The Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre (ABGC) and the Institute for Pig Genetics (IPG) made this recommendation after analysing data from organic pig farms and evaluating lines and genetic programmes in a bio-economic and a genetic model.

Responding to President Obama's directive to upgrade the nation's food safety system, the White House Food Safety Working Group, launched a website to provide information about the group's activities and progress.

The Government of Canada is investing in young farmers and the future of Canadian agriculture. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture Pierre Lemieux announced today an investment of more than $3 million in the Canadian 4-H Council over a four-year period under Growing Forward, the new national agricultural policy framework aimed at building a profitable sector for all farmers across the country.

The Council took note of the request made by the French delegation and supported by other delegations regarding the situation on the pig meat market. The Commission representative maintained the position that no measure is required at this stage.

Over the later years the costs of meat control increased strongly (36.7 percent per kg slaughtered pig over just two years) and reduced the slaughterhouses’ competitiveness.

The sub-regional representation will be responsible for improving the quality of national veterinary services. It will look into harmonizing methods used to prevent and control diseases and the public-private animal health delivery services established in the region. The new representation will also be part of a Regional Animal Health Centre to be established in collaboration with the FAO in the framework of the OIE/FAO GF-TAD’s programme (Global Framework of the progressive control of transboundary diseases).

Russia shall increase pork production at least by 200 thousand tons a year through 2012, as the First Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Viktor Zubkov declared. Mr. Zubkov pointed out that currently Agriculture Ministry has been elaborating a special program on hog breeding development. He reported that implementation and reequipment of about 250 hog complexes and farms for the previous two years afforded to increase pork production almost by 0.5m tons.

In a major turnaround from nearly going extinct a few years ago, Welsh pigs are set to have their own breed society and a Government-backed scheme aimed at commercial producers and increasing breeding sows from 400 to 2,000.

Fresh or chilled beef and veal production for January - April 2009 totaled to 21.3 thousand tons, down 41.6% from the same period of 2008 (36.5 thousand tons). Thereat, April production output was 6.1 thousand tons, as Ukrainian State Statistics Committee reports.

The Livestock Marketing Fairness Act, S. 1086, a new bill which its authors claim will "stop years of unfair and manipulative meat-packer practices that negatively impact ranchers and farmers," was introduced May 20 by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa and Tim Johnson, D-S.D.

A new internet portal has been launched today by FAO that will serve as a one-stop-shop for individuals and organizations searching for the latest information about the welfare of livestock. The Gateway to Farm Animal Welfare is designed to provide a reliable information conduit on legislation and research findings in the sector, as well as on animal welfare standards, practices and policies. Expected users are farmers and government officials, lawmakers, researchers, the livestock and food industry and non-governmental organizations.

Hog raisers and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have agreed to consider initiatives to improve productivity during a meeting in Quezon City. In a statement, the DA said it would step up the construction of cold storage plants, slaughterhouses and other postharvest facilities to cut growers’ postproduction losses and allow them to improve the storage of their products from their farms to the retail markets.

Australian crop production increased in 2007-08 in comparison to the previous year, but generally remains at among the lowest levels in five years, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Drought conditions and industry adjustments have also lead to a decline in livestock, with sheep and lambs at yet another historic low. Pig numbers fell to 2.4 million, their lowest level since 1982, reflecting continued pressure on the industry from production costs and imports.