Page 879 of articles about news

A genomic study has demonstrated that pathogenic strains of Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis) display a type of proteins which allows the bacteria to adhere to tissues and quickly disseminate in the organism. From this discovery, a simple molecular assay was designed for distinguishing possible pathogenic strains of this bacteria and therefore to develop future vaccines.

This Regulation lays down rules concerning the introduction into the Community of personal consignments of products of animal origin of a non commercial character which form part of travellers' luggage, or are sent as small consignments to private persons, or are ordered remotely (for example, by mail, by telephone or via the Internet) and delivered to the consumer.

A major breakthrough in the way farmers may be able to deal with fallen stock has been achieved following successful negotiations in Brussels led by the Welsh Assembly. Changes to the regulations could now see on-farm containment prior to disposal being permissible from the middle of next year.

The increase in imports in 2008, of approximately 7%, caused meat stocks to rise from 160,000 tonnes in 2007 to 182,600 tonnes at the end of December 2008. (Original in German. Read Google translation here).

The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance (MoF) raised import tariffs on most meat and poultry products on March 20 to protect domestic production, according to a new circular issued by the ministry. The new rate for fresh pork will be 28 per cent against 24 per cent previously. Duty for frozen pork will be 24 per cent.

Rising demand for locally grown meat and falling grains prices has led to a turnaround in the fortunes of WA pig farmers. About 18 months ago, producers across Australia were preparing to cut their breeding herds as total farm losses of up to $5 million were recorded each week.

Santa Catarina, the principal state producer of swine in Brazil, could again begin exporting pig meat to Russia, after the ban which was initiated at the end of 2005. (Original in Portuguese. Read Google translation here).

The Spanish government have passed new normatives with the aim of stabilizing the zones which have reached a very low prevalence of Aujeszky’s disease, and of continuing to advance the qualification of herds in order to increase the territory which is free from the disease. (Original in Spanish. Read Google translation here).

The Council has taken note of the request made by the Belgian delegation supported by several delegations regarding the situation on the pig meat market. The Belgian delegation drew the Council’s attention and the Commission to the difficult situation on the pig meat market and called upon the Commission to urgently introduce support for private storage and the temporary introduction of export refunds for fresh and frozen pig meat. The United-Kingdom and the Netherlands opposed to any additional support measures. The Commission representative stated that its services were closely monitoring the market and that additional support measures were not judged relevant at this stage.

Québec pork producers were the first in the agricultural world to voluntarily adopt an agro- environmental plan back in 1997. Under its terms, they have been governed ever since by some of the most stringent regulations in effect anywhere. The recent survey results allowed the FPPQ to review its action plan and to determine that a number of important objectives had been reached.

Comission Decision of 20 March 2009 amending Decision 2003/135/EC as regards the eradication and emergency vaccination plans for classical swine fever in feral pigs in certain areas of the Federal States of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

The Senate has approved Ron Kirk as the United States Trade Representative this week. This is a cabinet position and Ambassador Kirk will serve as President Barack Obama's principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.

Comission Decision of 20 March 2009 amending Decision 2008/855/EC as regards animal health control measures relating to classical swine fever in Germany.