Celebrity Chef and RSPCA Join Forces on Welfare
UK - The RSPCA is to launch a campaign on Monday 12 January, called 'Rooting for Pigs' - supported by national advertising, press and online activity.

Pig Health Initiative Underway in Scotland
SCOTLAND - A further project funded by the Scottish Government to offer long- term support for Scotland's pig sector is underway.

Consumers Show Penchant for NZ-Grown Pork
NEW ZEALAND - A New Zealand Pork report shows that more people prefer to purchase Kiwi-made pork.

Pork Products in High Demand
FIJI - Demand for whole pigs is running high this festive season, with pork products on the verge of rationing in some areas.

€50 to Secure Irish Pig Production
IRELAND - The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the approval by the Dáil of a Supplementary Estimate for €50 million for his Department.

APL Lends a Hand at Christmas Time
AUSTRALIA - Each year Australian Pork Limited (APL) joins forces with suppliers to assist a number of charities over the festive season.

Campofrio-Groupe Smithfield Merger Completed
EU - Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced yesterday that the merger of Campofrio Alimentacion S.A. and Group Smithfield Holdings S.L. has been finalized. The new company will be known as Campofrio Food Group...

Collaboration Throughout Pork Industry Urged
ALBERTA - The Alberta pork industry will need to work more cooperatively with each other and think more creatively if it is to have a fighting chance against the challenges it faces today and in the future,...

Questions Surrounding COOL Still Unanswered
CANADA - The US based Food Marketing Institute reports several key questions surrounding Country of Origin Labelling remain unanswered, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pig Farmers Call for Better COOL Review
NORTHERN IRELAND - The Ulster Farmers’ Union says local pig producers want a full review of the country of origin labelling which currently exists in the industry.

SSP Brand Offers Retailers Supply Confidence
SCOTLAND - Shoppers are being urged to look for the Specially Selected Pork label as a guarantee of provenance and welfare standards this winter.

Promote British Pork as Pig Herd Dips
UK - With the pig industry increasingly dominated by imports, there is an urgent need to promote and brand British pork, which is both produced and processed in Britain, auctioneer and valuer, Peter Crichton,...

QMS: Brand Offers Pork Promise
SCOTLAND - Red meat assurance body Quality Meat Scotland has underlined the importance of clear labelling following the recall of Irish pork.

Canada-US Pork Industry Relations Strong
CANADA - The chairman of Manitoba Pork Council says, despite the problems being created by Country of Origin Labelling, the relationship between Canadian and American hog producers remains strong, writes...

Woolworths Supports Aussie Pork Farmers
AUSTRALIA - Woolworths has come out in support of Australian pork farmers by adding the Australian Grown kangaroo logo to all fresh pork packaged for sale on supermarket shelves. This logo will...

Heated Competition Fuels Pig Market
AUSTRALIA - A continuation in strong pork and bacon demand fuelled animated and, at times, heated competition at the fortnightly Ballarat pig market last Wednesday - the third last pig sale for 2008.

Banff Pork Seminar to Focus on Cost Saving
CANADA - Officials of the 2009 Banff Pork Seminar are focusing on strategies to help hog producers cope with the current difficult economic situation, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Change in Pork Production in Demand
CANADA - Pork producers around the world have encountered an unprecedented period of low prices for pigs and high input costs.

US, Mexican Facilities Approved for Meat Export
GLOBAL - US and Mexican facilities have now been approved for meat export, according to the American Meat Institute.

DA: Enough Pork Supply in Bicol During Christmas
THE PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured consumers in Bicol of a stable supply of pork during the Christmas season as it has secured adequate supply commitment from suppliers in...

Pork CRC Helps Cut Costs and Push Production
AUSTRALIA - At a time of great challenge for the Australian pork industry, research by the Pork Cooperative Research Centre in the last year has reduced feed costs and improved herd production efficiency...

Canada Hopes for Quick Resolution of COOL
CANADA - Ottawa is hopeful issues related to controversial new US mandatory country of origin food labelling laws can be resolved within the next 30 days, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Hans Enters Voluntary Administration
AUSTRALIA - Hans, one of Australia’s largest smallgoods manufacturers, has entered voluntary administration but the business will continue operating while a buyer is sought.

Free Trade Agreement Pleases CPC
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council is applauding news that Canada and Colombia have reached a tentative bilateral free trade agreement and encouraging progress on the world front, writes Bruce Cochran...

Festive Hog Roasts: Calling all Pig Farmers!
UK - As part of the ongoing Pigs Are Worth It campaign, BPEX is planning a series of festive hog roasts in and around major UK cities.