Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial – World Pork Expo Covers Topical Issues

World Pork Expo (WPX), which took place last week at Des Moines, Iowa, tackled many of the aspects of production of present and future interest to pig farmers across the US and worldwide.

Tough times may lie ahead for pig markets. The US industry is witnessing a period when buying grain and selling hogs on the cash markets are seeing producers lose money.

In particular, concerns were raised that the US could suffer a shortage of maize corn for feed this year as the growing areas have been hit by both drought and floods.

However, Asia offers new opportunities for US pork, according to the US National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Viet Nam was identified as a potentially highly lucrative opportunity for US pork exports,

Continuing on global trade, the US government should accept rulings within the World Trade Organization (WTO) to prevent potential damage to the US pig meat trade, according to NPPC. The Council called on the government to live up to its NAFTA obligations and settle the trucking dispute with Mexico and thus remove the threat to the pork trade. The dispute is estimated to be threatening $2.4 billion worth of trade in US goods.

Country of origin labelling (COOL) disputes with the WTO are also reported to be affecting US pig meat global trade, while NPPC renewed its call for free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia to be ratified immediately.

Turning to domestic politics, it has been estimated that the pig industry could shrink by two per cent if the new Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules in the US farm bill were to come into force.

With increasing concerns over the environmental impact of farming and legislation, producers can now track the carbon footprint of their enterprise, thanks to a new computer programme launched by the NPPC at World Pork Expo.

The US pig industry is to fight unwarranted attempts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental lobbyists to force unfair restrictions on producers over water quality regulations and manure management.

And finally, the latest monthly US trade figures have been released. Pork and beef exports slowed slightly in April compared to the all-time record highs of the previous month but still performed well above last year's pace. April pork exports reached 181,109 metric tons valued at $487.8 million – up 16 per cent in volume and 22 per cent in value over last year.

Jackie Linden

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This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

New Pig Welfare at Slaughter Online Training Course
UK - Consumer demand is increasing the need for transparency across the pork supply chain. To help promote the importance of pig welfare at slaughter, RL Consulting has developed a new, online pig welfare training course.

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Global Pioneer Award for Novus
US - Novus International, Inc. has receives a Global Pioneer Award for Excellence in International Business from St Louis Regional International Partnership.

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Biomin Holds First Mycotoxin Awareness Forum
MYANMAR – Biomin's distributor in Myanmar, Min Ye Tin of Yè Group, recently organised the 1st Myanmar Mycotoxin Awareness Forum.

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Fear and Stress in Animal Welfare and Productivity
SPAIN - Aware of the fact that animal welfare has become an important issue, Boehringer Ingelheim held its 4th International Expert Forum on Farm Animal Well-Being on 27 May in Seville.

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Global Pig Industry News

United States

 » WPX 2011: US Urged to Accept WTO COOL Decision
 » WPX 2011: Concerns Raised over Water Quality Restrictions
 » WPX 2011: Asia Offers Opportunities for US Pork
 » WPX 2011: Checkoff Announces New Promotional Funds
 » WPX 2011: Fresh Call to Implement FTAs
 » WPX 2011: Renewed Call for Rethink on GIPSA Rule
 » WPX 2011: Tough Times Ahead on Pig Markets
 » WPX 2011: Producers Can Track Carbon Footprint
 » WPX 2011: Concerns Rising for Feed Shortages
 » 20,000 Visitors Expected at World Pork Expo
 » CME: Output of Sorghum, Barley & Oats Falling
 » CME: Beef, Pork, Poultry Supplies Lower Last Week
 » Market Preview: Reasons for Decline in Hog Prices
 » Can Corn, Soybean Crops Overcome Late Planting?
 » Weekly Roberts Market Report
 » National Pork Board to Meet Prior to World Pork Expo
 » Food Safety Annual Report Targets Salmonella
 » CME: 2011 Corn Planting Slower Than 2010
 » NPPC Declines Further Involvement in M-COOL Debate
 » WASDE – The Numbers vs. Uncertainty
 » Research Makes K-State the Leader, Says President
 » Little Change in Cash Hog Prices Last Week
 » CME: Lower Harvested Corn Acres Expected in 2011
 » April Pork Exports Lower but Remain Strong

Ireland

 » Bord Bia Begins Pork DNA Tests
 » Research Presents Alternative Uses for Pig Manure

United Kingdom

 » Prof Fazakerley Takes up Post as IAH Director
 » RSPCA Guides Consumers on Rearing Systems
 » WI Scraps Vote on 'Mega Farms' Resolution
 » Join the Fun at the Children's Cookery Theatre
 » IPPC Author Makes Fact-Finding Visit
 » NI Improves Biosecurity Measures at Ports
 » AHVLA: Salmonella Typhimurium Causes Diarrhoea
 » The Spotlight Turns to Next David Black Award

General

 » No End in Sight for High Food Prices
 » Japan and Peru Sign Free Trade Agreement
 » Canada-US Pork Industry Challenges Similar
 » Canada & Russia Increase Trade Opportunities

European Union

 » EU Pig Prices: Summer Temperatures Raise Prices

Czech Republic

 » Czechs to Test German Beef, Pork Imports for E.coli

Thailand

 » Vendors Convinced to Freeze Pork Prices
 » Unexpected Increase in PRRS Morbidity & Mortality

Russian Federation

 » Inspections in Voronezh and Volgograd Oblasts
 » Outbreak of African Swine Fever in the Tver Oblast

China

 » Two New Lean Pork Drugs Detected in Checks
 » CPI for Pork, Aquaculture Products to Rise in May
 » Two Awards for Zhongpin in Beijing
 » Zhongpin to Build New Pork Plant in Hebei Province

Malaysia

 » Sellers Disgruntled Over Higher Pig Prices

New Zealand

 » Kiwis Concerned About Controls on Imported Pork

Korea, South

 » MAP, FMD Funding Boost USGC Efforts in S Korea

Malawi

 » ASF Threatens Over 90,000 Pigs in Northern Malawi

Canada

 » Swine Health Board Funding Included in 6 June Budget

Japan

 » Canadian Pork Industry Supports Recovery Efforts

That's all for this week!

Ed.