Page 922 of articles about news

According to the estimates for Agricultural Price Indices (API) that the Member States have supplied to Eurostat, output prices in nominal terms are reckoned to have increased by 6.5% in the European Union (EU 27) in 2008 compared to 2007. When adjusted for inflation (deflated or in real terms) the result is a 2.7% increase in 2008, following a 6.5% rise in 2007. The increase in the total output index was driven by the rise in real prices of Animal output (6.6%), while Crop output remained at almost the same level as in 2007.

The PVV has agreed to finance the continuation of the project of improvement in herd sanitary conditions started two years ago. During the first years surveys were made and measures were applied. It is hoped that the improvements will be seen in 2009 thanks to the implemented measures. (Original in Dutch. Read Google translation here).

A coalition of animal protection groups wants the state Department of Agriculture to investigate three grocery chains for violating the law by labeling non-Hawaii pork as "island produced."

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), few commodity prices continued to increase potently, especially food stood up at 4.2 per cent and fresh vegetables prices up 19.6 per cent; but there was relief on pork prices, highest meat consumption in China down by 13.3 per cent in January.

A cooperative in Santa Catarina, the only Brazilian state believed to be free from foot and mouth disease without vaccination, has begun exporting pig meat to Chile. Exportation to Chile is considered to be a first step towards conquering the European and Japanese markets. (Original in Portuguese. Read Google translation here).

Foot-and-mouth disease was found in eastern China's Shanghai, said the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday.

Part of a major advertising campaign from Bpex to promote the British pig industry has been banned after animal welfare groups complained to the UK advertising watchdog. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ruled against a recent advert published as part of Bpex’s ‘pigs are worth it’ campaign which described the industry as having ‘very high welfare standards’.

In the last 15 years the consumption of pig meat has increased from 8 kilos a year per capita in 1993 to 13 kilos in the first half of 2008, which means an increase of nearly 64%. In the last two years the tendency has been confirmed: increasing from 12 kilos per capita in 2007 to the 15 kilos estimated for the end of 2008. (Original in Spanish. Read Google translation here).

Pork has been the pacesetter for U.S. red meat exports, achieving a 17th consecutive record-setting year of increased export numbers in 2008.

Following a request from the Spanish Competent Authority, the Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the Project to study alternatives to carcass destruction systems using the bunker system. The application concerns an on-farm combination of several steps. The first of these is represented by the hydrolysis process or, alternatively, the crushing and pasteurization of pig carcasses and other pig by-products (placentas and embryos) using a bunker system.

Last year pig meat exports from the United States to Mexico increased by 47%. (Original in Spanish. Read Google translation here).

The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, a food-safety program that has been facing closure due to lack of funding, has gotten a temporary reprieve. A $17,000 donation from 12 groups and several private citizens within the animal health and food-safety sectors is expected to keep the program from completely closing while appeals for appropriations are made before the 111th Congress and Obama Administration.

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Farm Bureau have partnered for a three-year pilot RFID program designed to promote food safety by enabling product visibility throughout the supply chain. The initiative, the first of its kind in the U.S., offers a win-win situation for consumers and participating growers. When a food safety issue arises, product recalls can be enacted within an hour. With traceability down to the field level, growers can localize the impact of a recall to the relevant area, minimizing losses.

An outbreak of cholera killed at least 240 pigs in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato, a health official reported yesterday.

The export of pork on the EU market might be resumed as of 2009 if the plan of ceasing vaccination against swine fever is approved by the European Commission (EC). Romania has asked the EC for permission to resume trade with pork within the EU as of this May.