Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial – China Takes Action to Improve Food Safety

Last week, the Chinese authorities arrested more people as part of a national crackdown on the manufacture and sale of clenbuterol, an illegal fat-burning drug that is sometimes used illegally as an additive in pig feed. This brings the total arrested to almost 1,000 over the last six months.

One province has announced new measures to prevent future abuses and accidents. In the eastern province of Shandong, new rules have been issued that require all pig abattoirs to keep records of each animal's source, circulation and consumption information to guarantee its safety

Under the new rules to be implemented on 1 October, abattoirs must establish a properly functioning system to recall any unsafe products.

Moving to France, the decade-long downward trend in the country's pig herd is continuing, according to the May 2011 census.

Overall pig numbers were two per cent lower than in May 2010. However, while the sow population fell one per cent, the numbers of maiden and in-pig gilts were down by around five per cent, suggesting the breeding herd is unlikely to increase in the coming months.

As in the rest of Europe, high feed prices are a key factor, having risen by around 50 per cent compared with year-earlier levels. More recently, weak domestic demand led to a decline in French pig prices during May and June, when prices elsewhere in Europe were generally stable, making conditions more challenging.

In the US, efforts are being made to boost domestic consumption of pig meat. Bolstered by market research that shows the new 'Pork – Be inspired' campaign is having a positive impact on consumer attitudes, more than 50 pork producers will meet in Des Moines this week to draft a 2012 budget for the National Pork Board that is expected to maintain a strong focus on getting consumers to eat more pork.

Jackie Linden

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This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Biomin to Exhibit at SPACE
FRANCE - Biomin invites visitors to SPACE to visit its booth, B36 in Hall 9.

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SNW-Piétrains and German-Piétrains Compared
GERMANY - In 2010, the German research institute Haus Düsse tested offspring of true-bred sows SNW-Piétrain Select (TOPIGS Top Pi, 238 animals) and German-Piétrain (496 animals).

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JV Signed to Establish Pig Genetics Company
VIET NAM - Viet Nam's leading animal feed producer Japfa Comfeed Long An Ltd (Japfa) and global swine genetics company Hypor B.V. (Hypor) have signed an agreement to establish a quality high health pig breeding unit in Viet Nam. The new entity, a Joint Venture between Japfa and Hypor, will be called Japfa Hypor Genetics Company.

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Average Gain TOPIGS Finishers 806 Grams/Day
NETHERLANDS - TOPIGS finishers realised an average daily gain of 806 gram in 2010.

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Merck Expands its Omaha Vaccine Plant
NEBRASKA, US - Merck & Co. Inc.'s animal vaccine facility in the Elkhorn area is becoming one of the multinational company's worldwide centres of research and development and a high-volume manufacturing operation.

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September is 'Exhibition Month' for CID Lines
GLOBAL - CID Lines will be exhibiting at seven events this month.

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Biomin Asia Nutrition Forum Takes Centre Stage
ASIA - Biomin has announced the dates and destinations for the company's biennial event, Biomin Asia Nutrition Forum in October.

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New President and CEO of BIVI
US - Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., (BIVI) is pleased to announce Dr Albrecht Kissel, as its new president and CEO. Kissel will resume responsibilities over US domestic sales and marketing, research and development, and manufacturing operations for BIVI effective yesterday, 1 September.

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TOPIGS: Strongly Improved Results for Belgium
BELGIUM - Pig farms in Belgium with TOPIGS sows weaned an average of 28.2 piglets per sow in 2010, an increase of 0.7 compared to 2009.

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Global Pig Industry News

United Kingdom

 » Scotland's Stronger Defences Against FMD
 » Confidence Boost Moves Meat Industry Forward
 » AHVLA Scanning Surveillance Report - July 2011
 » Training for Better Pig Profitability
 » New Booklet to Help Farmers Optimise Bedding Use
 » Bumping Along the Bottom

United States

 » Pork Commentary: US - Canada Hogs & Pigs Inventory
 » CME: 2011 Beef & Pork Packer Margins Up
 » GHG Reporting Programme Deadline 30 September
 » Scientist to Receive Technology Transfer Award
 » Report Profiles Top Animal Health & Nutrition Firms
 » CME: Hog Price Variation Remains Huge
 » Cultivating Skills for Pork Industry Professionals
 » Short Corn Supply to Force Reduced Consumption
 » Weekly Roberts Market Report
 » Pork Board Budget Continues Consumer Focus
 » Proposed NPB Budget Continues Consumer Focus
 » CME: Producers Hedge Feed Costs and Hog Prices
 » Company Now Sells Certified Antibiotic-Free DDGS
 » Cargill to Soon Start Breeding Hogs in Texas
 » New Variety of Cotton Tested for Feed Use
 » Heavier Weight, Increased Slaughter Pushing Prices

Korea, South

 » Interest in Needle-Free Injection Heightened

France

 » French Pig Herd Continues to Shrink

Armenia

 » Armenian Ag Ministry Forecasts Growth Next Year

Ukraine

 » EBRD Loan to Ukraine Meat Group

China

 » Shandong Issues New Pork Quality Rules

Canada

 » Swine Biosecurity Training Expected by Year's End
 » ABVMA to Increase Awareness of Biosecurity
 » Govt Efforts to Improve Trade Markets Supported
 » Study: Composted Hog Manure for Potato Protection

Spain

 » Spanish Hog Market - Tough Times

Colombia

 » USGC Promotes US DDGS Use to Colombia

Philippines

 » 500 Kilos of Tainted Pork Seized in Manila
 » Authorities Seize More Tainted Pork in Manila

General

 » US Sorghum Potential in Southeast Asia

Denmark

 » Sustainable and Efficient Pig Breeding Moves Ahead

Jamaica

 » Pork Producers Urged to Upgrade Packaging

Russian Federation

 » Three New Outbreaks of ASF Reported in Russia



That's all for this week!

Ed.