On Friday, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $45.3 million to enhance efforts against the introduction and spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the country. The move, in collaboration with the pork industry, aims to enable producers to be ready for a timely and coordinated response.

• This funding is meant for priorities such as biosecurity assessments, coordination for wild pig management, retrofitting of existing abattoirs,...

Shuvalovo, the largest pork producer in the Russian Kostroma region, had to cull nearly 6,000 pigs due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). At least three production sites have been affected and even those where the virus was not detected have been ordered to suspend operations.

• According to official statements, the situation with ASF is currently tense but under control.

A decrease in production at that farm isn’t likely to have any impact on the overall Russian pork market, thoug...

The fewer the barbecues, the lower the futures! Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) hog futures fell to the lowest point in the last six and a half months as demand for pork is fading – basically due to the fact that the traditional U.S. grilling season is nearing its end.

• Hog futures have fallen in four of the previous five sessions. After continuous monthly reductions, the front-month hogs contract touched its lowest since February 11.

Cattle futures were mixed – live cattle contracts fell...

Biosecurity is an important pillar of the swine industry to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases. Even though many routes have been identified as potential sources of entry and counteractive practices have been implemented, research is performed continually to determine the most effective methods. It’s ultimately up to the pork community to ensure healthy herds – and here’s how that can be done: 

• Spray items with disinfectant manually. Although having a supply entry room with a fog...

The California Assembly approved Senate Bill 856, a proposal by Sen. Bill Dodd that aims to control the state's growing wild pig population and thus reduce the damage they cause. 

• The measure would lift remaining hunting restrictions – which should allow better population and habitat control.
• SB856 has support from wildlife officials, farmers, and other groups.

The invasive species is a danger to the environment, private property, and agriculture, so by increasing opportunities to hunt th...

Large numbers of feral pigs continue to be a problem in North America – and that by itself is already a problem, but concerns go deeper… Though African swine fever (ASF) isn’t currently present in that part of the continent, wild boars are an established vector in Europe. So, should the disease enter the country, it would be a major issue for the industry and for national security.

• The issue was discussed at the Transboundary Feral Swine Summit, a US-Canada meeting held recently, and it was n...

Remember that piece of news on pork sausage and chicken meat that had been brought into Japan illegally (if not, check it out here)? Well, something quite similar happened in the U.S.: Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists discovered and seized a shipment from China with prohibited food items at John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

• The shipment containing over 40 lbs. of mooncakes, 1,200 lbs. of olives, and nearly 2,600 lbs. of clams was destroyed by CBP agriculture special...