The GM Debate and the Irish Pig Meat Sector
Peadar Lawlor and Maria Walsh, Principal Research Officer and Research Officer in the Pig Development Unit based at Moorepark Research Centre, explore the viability of the Irish pig industry in the presence of a GM feed ban.

Food Safety in Pork Production and Processing
Pork production has safety implications for both producers and consumers, Dr Brian Evans, the executive vice president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told the recent World Pork Conference in Qingdao China. By ThePigSite Senior Editor Chris H...

EU Pig Meat Industry Contracting
Pig meat production across Europe has been contracting over the last three years, with the new member states seeing a reduction of five per cent in two years, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

GM Feed in the EU: Policies and Principles
As the price of non-genetically modified (non-GM) feed soars, the European meat industry - bound by strict regulations - struggles to compete both in global and domestic markets, writes Adam Anson for ThePigSite.

New French Farm-to-Plate Pricing Analysis
The French trading standards agency DGCCRF* and France Agrimer* have jointly published a price analysis of the farm to plate supply chain for loin roasts, pork chops and ham, writes Peter Crosskey for ThePigSite. Other product categories may follow, but...

Dioxin Discovery Leads Ireland's Residue Plan Results
The discovery of dioxin in samples of pig fat is the major feature in the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) results of testing carried out under the National Residue Control Plan for 2008, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris...

Support for On-farm Renewable Energy Schemes
The US has set some tough targets for renewable fuels and energy over the coming years, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

UK Pig Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report: January - March 2009
The latest report from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) highlights that swine dysentery continues to cause concern, while the incidence of pneumonia has declined. There have been no outbreaks of Notifiable Diseases or zoonoses associated with...

Animal Antibiotics, Resistance and Human Health
Antibiotics are a vital component to rearing healthy livestock, but many researchers argue that mismanaged use is having a detrimental effect on the industry, writes Adam Anson for ThePigSite.

Understanding Consumer Support for a Gestation Crate Ban
A survey of consumers was conducted aimed to give the pig industry a greater understanding of their opinions on a possible future ban on gestation crates for sows. Dr Glynn Tonsor of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan...

Meat Intake and Mortality
A controversial new report has linked the consumption of red and processed meat with causes of death - in particular cancer, writes ThePigSite senior editor Chris Harris.

Developing a Global Agenda for Farming
An increase in global agriculture trading through freer trading regulations could increase the worldwide benefits by $165 billion a year, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Prospects for EU Agricultural Markets 2008-2015
The shape of the European agricultural market over the next seven years will depend very much on the way it reacts to and recovers from the present global financial crisis, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

A Biological Revolution in the Name of Profit
Ongoing advances in genetic technology mean that scientists can increasingly understand, identify and link animal traits with their DNA counterparts. Advocates claim that the commercial application of this technology leads to greater economic efficiency,...

Cost/Benefits of Disease Eradication
Almost always, the long-term benefits of eradication outweigh the short-term costs but each producer must consider his/her return on investment, including a thorough risk assessment, writes JoAnn Alumbaugh for Farms.com. She uses a number of examples,...

The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations - UK
The full title of the document is The control of pollution (silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil) regulations 1991 and as amended 1997: Guidance Notes for Farmers. It was published in the current amended form by the Welsh office of DEFRA...

France Faces Structural Rigidity
"There are many structural constraints on French pig producers," Yvon Salaün told ThePigSite in Paris, at the headquarters of the French pig institute, IFIP (Institut du Porc), writes Peter Crosskey for ThePigSite. Mr Salaün is the head of IFIP's pig...

Zoonoses in the EU: Trends and Sources
Because zoonoses are infections and diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans, it makes it particularly important to keep these livestock diseases under surveillance and control, writes Adam Anson, reporting for ThePigSite.

NBAF: Securing a Threat, or Threatening a Security?
After months of deliberation, Manhattan, Kansas, has been chosen as the location of the new US National Bio and Agro-Defence Facility (NBAF), writes Adam Anson, reporting for ThePigSite. What actions will this new facility undertake, and what consequences...

Poland - Agricultural Situation 2008
POLAND - This report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is subtitled, EU Cross-Compliance - What it Means for Poland, 2009 and Beyond. Particular difficulties are expected over animal welfare and for the already struggling pig industry....

US Raises Concerns over EU Stance on GM Food and Feed
While the European agricultural industry is a heavy consumer of genetically modified products - largely in animal feed - the industry is restricted in what it can grow, writes Chris Harris, ThePigSite senior editor.

GM Restrictions: A Boon to the European Livestock Sector?
Several feed organisations in the EU have warned of the dangers posed by a lack of soya supplies, writes Rachel Ralte reporting for ThePigSite.

Chinese Market Potential for EU Pig Industry
The present financial crisis that is affecting the world could see a decrease in global pig meat consumption, writes ThePigSite Senior Editor, Chris Harris.