Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial - Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals in the Spotlight Again

In the EU last week, a Member of the European Parliament put forward a resolution to the agriculture committee, calling for better research and analysis of the impact and more prudent use of antimicrobials in animals.

Public health officials have long warned of the dangers of the over-use of antibiotics in humans, according to the resolution, and the same processes conferring antimicrobial resistance, known as AMR, occur in humans and animals.

In order to avoid a future without effective microbial treatment and to "maintain antibiotics as an effective tool to combat disease, for both animals and humans", the resolution says, the first step is to reduce their use.

In the US, drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium linked to a wide range of human diseases, are present in meat and poultry from US grocery stores at unexpectedly high rates, according to a nationwide study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Nearly half of the meat and poultry samples – 47 per cent – were contaminated with S. aureus, and more than half of those bacteria – 52 per cent – were resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics, according to the study.

At a press conference about the research, the paper's author, Dr Lance Price, called for a dramatic reduction in antibiotic use in food animals.

In New Zealand, producers are concerned that a proposed change in meat import procedure could allow the entry of PRRS into the country.

New Zealand Pork says the proposed relaxation of biosecurity standards could allow the exotic disease Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) to enter New Zealand and infect local pigs as well as impacting the pig welfare transformation already underway there. Currently, pork imported to New Zealand from countries with PRRS must currently undergo treatment to deactivate the disease. Under the new proposals, this requirement would be eliminated.

On foot and mouth disease, one new outbreak has been reported in pigs in South Korea and the Bulgarian veterinary authorities have reported yet another outbreak in pigs and other animals in Burgas.

Owing to several public holidays in the UK over the coming two weeks, the next newsletter from ThePigSite will be mailed to you on Tuesday 3 May.

Jackie Linden

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This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

UK Meat Firms Cash in on High Demand
THAILAND - Two UK-based companies in the livestock and feed industries are eyeing increased sales in Thailand, seeing the potential for economic growth to stimulate demand for meat, according to ACMC.

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Productivity Fillip for Maltese Pig Industry
MALTA - ACMC says that a switch of genetics and a new approach to health and management has revitalised pig production on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta.

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Piglet Protection Confirmed with Porcilis PCV
NETHERLANDS - A new field study confirms the the protection of piglets against porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVD) by vaccination with Porcilis PCV from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

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CEVA Conducts Latest Expert Symposium
SPAIN - Veterinary specialists will gather in Madrid next week to discuss latest trends in sow reproduction.

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PIC South Africa Hosts Technical Farmers' Day
SOUTH AFRICA - Expertise of the highest level was shared during the recent technical farmers' day hosted by PIC South Africa at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria in March with over 200 attendees.

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Ceva Appoints New Swine Manager
UK - Ceva Animal Health has appointed a new swine manager for the UK. Richard Bull brings to the company extensive knowledge of all aspects of the UK pig industry.

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Future Veterinarians Learn to Combine Skills
US - Future veterinarians learn how to combine Individual Pig Care and communication skills to gain optimum results, thanks to Pfizer Animal Health's sponsorship.

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PIC Announces Expansion of Korean Business
SOUTH KOREA - PIC has extended its agreement with franchise partner, PIC Korea, and embarked on an aggressive programme of expansion to capture a leading share of the swine genetics market in the country.

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Global Pig Industry News

Korea, South

 » FMD NEWS: Additional FMD in Pigs; No Alert Raised

United States

 » Weekly Outlook: Questions on Corn, Soybean Demand
 » Market Preview: Heavier Market Weights
 » CME: Does Expensive Feed Mean Lighter Animals?
 » FAPRI-ISU Presents 2011 World Agricultural Outlook
 » Weekly Roberts Market Report
 » CME: US Exports Remain Strong
 » Beef, Pork Exports Continue to Grow in February
 » CME: Could Corn for Livestock Feeds be Rationed?
 » USMEF Programmes Continue in Japan
 » Staph Contamination Found in US Meat and Poultry
 » Workshop for Small-Scale & Swine Production
 » US Pork Exports Positive for Hog Producers
 » ‘Staph Report’ Author Calls for Cut in Drug Use
 » CME: Wheat Feeding, Impact on Corn Demand

Canada

 » Fuelling of Pork Industry Recovery Expected
 » Manitoba Producers Vote to Restructure Pork Council
 » Pork Industry Changes Improve Export Opportunities
 » Vesicular Disease Awareness Bulletin Released
 » Views Sought on Alternative PRRS Sampling Tools
 » Positive Reaction to Vision for Sustainability
 » Pork Commentary: Corn Price Moves Even Higher

Netherlands

 » Higher Price Housing for Pigs in Holland

Thailand

 » CPF to Focus on More Outlets & Channels
 » Govt Cracks Down on Illegal Use of Beta-Agonists

United Kingdom

 » VLA: Congenital Hyperostosis in Newborn Piglets
 » East Midlands Farmers Develop Health Scheme
 » EU and Defra Fail to Support British Farmers
 » NFU Frustrated over Europe's GM Vote
 » Self-set Weekly Price System Stuck in the Mire
 » Free Muck Analysis at Grassland and Muck 2011
 » Calls for Tighter Border Controls Prompted

New Zealand

 » Industry Concerned about Imported Disease
 » Green Party Criticises Proposed Meat Import Rules
 » Import One Pork Disease, Get the Second One Free?

European Union

 » EU Pig Prices: Price Barometer Displays Upward Trend
 » EU Strengthens Legal Basis for GM Cultivation Ban
 » MEPs: EU Countries Should be Able to Ban GMOs
 » Ag Ministers Discuss Product Quality Schemes
 » MEP Calls for Tougher Controls on Animal Antibiotics

Russian Federation

 » Rise in Poultry & Pork Output Forecast

Ireland

 » New Research Funding For Animal Health

General

 » ASF Spread Mainly by Humans, Says Researcher
 » Canadian Pork Industry Supports Japan's Recovery

Spain

 » Workshop on PRRS Immunology & Vaccinology

Germany

 » Conference on Boar Semen Preservation

China

 » Chief Vet Confirms Need for Modernisation
 » Sen Yu Sees Strong Growth in Pork Market

Japan

 » Japan’s Compound Feed and Livestock Production

That's all for this week!

Ed.