ThePigSite Newsletter - 25 January 2010

Monday 25th January 2010

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial - Dutch Supermarket Goes for High-Welfare Pigs

Dutch supermarket group, Albert Heijn, is to source all its pig meat from sustainable and welfare-friendly sources from 2011.

The company already has welfare-friendly products through its organic and free-range pig meat but from 2011, all the pig meat sold through the stores will have to adhere to strict welfare standards that have been certified by the national Animal Protection organisation.

Earlier this month, the director of the Animal Protection group, Frank Dales presented Albert Heijn with the 'De Gouden Kwispel' award for its animal welfare practices.

The supermarket chain has been working with its suppliers and the welfare organisations to produce a code of practice that includes giving the pigs more space in the pens, giving them distractions and also not using pigs that have been castrated.

Leading Dutch and European meat processor, VION, has been working closely with the supermarket and the farmers to introduce the code of practice.

Paul Jansen, Director Corporate Public Affairs Agri for VION told ThePigSite: "This is a challenge for the supply chain because of the specific demand.

"Farmers will have to change. It is challenging but it is feasible. The professionalism of the Dutch farmers will make it feasible.

"They will have to change their husbandry and the way they manage their farms."

And in Ireland, the report into the contamination of Irish pork with dioxin has finally been published. The report of the Inter-Agency Review Group was established to examine the incident, which occurred at the end of 2008. It sets out some 39 conclusions and recommendations.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 2 new features this week:

US Pork Outlook Report - January 2010
Pork production in 2010 will be lower than 2009 but the reduction will probably be smaller than those previously forecast, according to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) January 2010 Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. nd Poultry Outlook.

Boost for Biological Lysine Synthesis Project
A researcher with Norwegian organisation, SINTEF, has been awarded 11 million kroner (NOK) for a three-year international project that aims to develop an improved production process for lysine.

Company News

PIC Europe Health Assurance Manager
EU - PIC is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Han Smits to the position of Assurance Manager for PIC Europe.

New Virus Threatens UK Pig Industry
UK - HP-PRRS (Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) is a new disease that poses as great a risk as foot-and-mouth disease.

Large Mill Project Launched with Big Dutchman Equipment
FINLAND - Jonas Hulden of Nedervetil in Finland has decided to produce his own feed mixes at his farm.

First Feed Tech Pavilion at VIV Europe 2010
NETHERLANDS - This year for the first time, market leaders of the Feed Technology Industry (machinery and equipment) will be present at VIV Europe 2010 in Utrecht on 20 to 22 April.

Huvepharma Introduces Lianol Feed Additive
BELGIUM - As intensive livestock production has changed dramatically over the years, farmers and integrators are continuously looking for possibilities to improve health status and production levels through clever use of new management systems and feed supplements.

Highly Innovative Products for Poultry and Pig Sectors
BELGIUM - Huvepharma is a young, ambitious world player on the market for veterinary products, surprising the market with numerous innovations. It has now gained a strong position in the demanding segment of intensive stock breeding, in particular poultry and pigs.

Global Pig Industry News