CPC Urges Action on Canada-Columbia FTA
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council is urging the federal government to make the ratification and implementation of a bilateral free trade agreement with Columbia a top priority, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Guidance Document on Pig Protection Endorsed
EU - EU Member States endorsed yesterday at SCoFCAH a guidance document on control and surveillance measures to protect pigs against the H1N1 influenza virus.

NFUS Urges Participation in Carbon Footprint Study
SCOTLAND, UK - NFU Scotland is urging its members to participate in a Scottish Government study that will ultimately produce a farm–based tool to more accurately measure a farm’s contribution to greenhouse...

Defra's New Guidelines to Reduce Salmonella in Feed
UK - The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published a new Code of Practice for the control of salmonella in animal feeds, bringing together three previous codes and updating...

Ensuring the Most Exposed Animals the Best Welfare
DENMARK - Scientists are working on developing practical and effective tools that focus on improving welfare for those animals whose risk of poor welfare is greatest.

New Agri Minister to Meet with Leaders and Farmers
CANADA - Manitoba's newly appointed agriculture minister says he's looking forward to meeting with farmers to get a handle on their needs and gather suggestions on what can be done to assist them, writes...

Human H1N1 Flu Virus Found in Pork Samples
HONG KONG - Two pork samples taken from Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse on 22 October have tested positive for human H1N1 flu, the Food & Health Bureau says.

Imports to Cover Pork, Chicken Shortage Likely
PHILIPPINES - The government has allowed the private sectors to import pork and chicken meat, to cover the shortage of supply in Luzon, an official of the Department of Agriculture said yesterday.

AFBF Congratulates Ohio and Texas on Victories
US - Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), yesterday issued a public statement regarding the ballot measure victories in Ohio and Texas.

CME: Voters Approve State Issue 2 in Ohio
US - Ohio’s livestock and poultry industries won a resounding victory at the polls on Tuesday when voters approved State Issue 2 by a margin of 64 per cent to 36 per cent, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner...

Overview of Environmental Legislation for UK Pig Producers
UK - The new version has been published of Summary Notes of Key Environmental Legislation with Implications for the UK Pig Industry from BPEX.

AMS Administrator to Meet with National Pork Board
US - Rayne Pegg, the new administrator of the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will meet with members of the National Pork Board on 9 November, the first day of the board's...

Monsanto Welcomes EU Approval of its GM Maize
EU - Monsanto's YieldGard VT® corn technologies have received European Union regulatory approval.

Hog Farm Transition Program Tendering Goes On
CANADA - The first tenders under the 75 million dollar Canadian Hog Farm Transition Program are scheduled to be awarded later this week, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Russia's Pigs under Threat from ASF, Says Minister
RUSSIA - Following the rapid spread of African swine fever (ASF), a Russian official says that the halting of pig movements in under consideration.

Transport to Slaughterhouse on Welfare Agenda
CANADA - A Liberal MP is seeks to cut lengthy transport times for livestock on way to the slaughterhouse.

China to Lift H1N1-Related Ban on US Pork
US - With prodding from the Obama administration, China announced on 29 October that it will lift its ban on US pork imports, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council.

Coming Election Could Change Ohio's Welfare Rules
OHIO, US - If passed in next week's election, Ohio state Issue 2 may set up a board that will set standards for livestock and poultry welfare.

CPC Extends Tendering Deadline for Program
CANADA - To accommodate an unexpectedly large interest in the Hog Farm Transition Program the Canadian Pork Council has extended the tendering deadline for the first round of bidding, writes Bruce Coc...

WWFE REPORT: Call for Fair Meat Trade
US - The prospect for growth in international trade in US meat is being hit by a series of significant obstacles, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

EU Moves to Improve Animal Welfare Labelling
EU - A new European Commission report has launched a political debate over animal welfare labelling. The aim is to make it easier for consumers to identify more animal welfare-friendly food products.

Producers' Traceability Costs to Be Offset
CANADA - Saskatchewan's agriculture minister is hoping enhanced traceability within Canada's livestock sector will help secure ongoing access to overseas markets for Canadian food products, writes Bruce...

Professor Edwards Wins David Black Award
UK - Professor Sandra Edwards describes herself as someone who prefers to keep a low profile so some might not be aware of the sustained contribution she has made to the British pig industry.

Cull Breeding Swine Program Audits Underway
OTTAWA, CANADA - As a requirement of the Cull Breeding Swine Program (CBSP), random audits are being conducted to ensure culled breeding swine facilities are in compliance.

New Livestock Traceability Rebate Introduced
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Government has introduced a new voluntary livestock traceability rebate, writes Bruce Cochrane.