FMD NEWS: Govt Seeks FMD-free Status for Luzon
GLOBAL - Keep up-to-date with Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks across the world.

First Round on Agriculture ‘Templates’ Completed
GLOBAL - World Trade Organisation farm talks’ chairperson David Walker described as “a good start” two days of technical discussion on the blank forms members will use for making commitments on agriculture...

China Restricts EU Pork Due to H1N1 Fears
GLOBAL - The European Union's health chief said today that China had slapped restrictions on pork imports from four member states over swine flu concerns - a move she slammed as protectionist.

Canadian Beef and Pork Penetrate Panama Market
GENERAL - Canadian beef exports will have access to Panama for the first time since 2003. Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Federal Agriculture...

Same Organic Standards in US, Canada in Future
GLOBAL - The US and Canada have reached agreement for organic trade equivalence between the US National Organic Program and the Canada Organic Product Regulation.

85th OIE Anniversary Marked with New Transparency
GLOBAL - The Delegates of OIE Members marked the 85th anniversary of the creation of the OIE by renewing and strengthening their commitments, especially as regards transparency.

AMI Says Industry Made Progress on Food Safety
GLOBAL - A senior official of the American Meat Institute (AMI) has told the Canadian House of Commons that the US and Canadian meat and poultry industries have made great progress on food safety.

FAO: Animal Welfare Web Portal Launched
GLOBAL - A new internet portal has been launched today by FAO that will serve as a one-stop-shop for individuals and organisations searching for the latest information about the welfare of livestock. ...

OIE: Global Standards for Humane Killing of Animals
GLOBAL - The OIE already strongly advised on the pointless culling of pigs in relation with the recent outbreaks of novel A/H1N1 influenza.

Ag Leaders Urge Trading Partners to Resume Exports
GLOBAL - The top three agriculture officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico have strongly urge the international community not to use the outbreak of the H1N1 human influenza as a reason to...

US and Canada Re-affirm Support for Pork Industry
GLOBAL - Secretary Vilsack and Minister Ritz have re-affirmed their respective governments' support for the pork industry, and that pork is safe to eat.

Global Hog Markets Suffer from Unfair Concerns
GLOBAL - Health officials assure consumers that pork is safe to eat and no victims in the current flu outbreak had contact with hogs, but neither fact has protected market prices or import restrictions...

World Takes Drastic Steps to Contain H1N1 Flu
GLOBAL - From Egypt's order that all 300,000 pigs in the country be slaughtered to travel bans and putting the kibosh on kissing, the world is taking drastic - and some say debatable - measures to combat...

Russia Widens Ban on Meat Imports
GLOBAL - In the wake of the 'swine flu' crisis, Russia has extended its ban on meat imports. For poultry meat, the ban now covers five US states although there is no evidence whatever that humans can become...

FAO Acts Over H1N1 Human Crisis
GLOBAL - FAO is mobilizing its teams of experts to help ascertain if the new strain of H1N1 virus, which already killed many people in Mexico, has a direct connection to pigs.

Swine Influenza Creates Unrest on a Global Level
GLOBAL - Swine influenza, which initially began in Mexico, has now taken its toll on a global scale. Asian countries such as South Korea and Indonesia are taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread...

India Opposes EU Welfare Drive
GLOBAL - The European Union (EU) is pushing for the inclusion of animal welfare standards in World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade negotiations.

Pork Commentary: European Breeding Herd Plummets
GLOBAL - The significant fall in inventories of the EU's 27 countries is good news for all of Europe and North America's hog producers, writes Jim Long, Presicent and CEO of Genuses Genetics.

OIE and WTO Bond Tightens for Animal Health
GLOBE - During a visit by Mr Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to the OIE Headquarters in Paris, the leaders of the two organisations further emphasised the benefits...

When Will US, EU Accept Irradiated Food?
GLOBAL - Following a number of highly publicised outbreaks of food-borne infections in people in recent years, the prospects of food irradiation are looking better than ever. But just how near are the...

Mexico Lifts Ban on Some US Meat Plants
GLOBAL - Mexico has lifted import restrictions on 20 of about 31 US meat plants, reversing bans imposed last week.

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.