Dear readers,
We start the week with good news:
- A pig liver that has undergone gene editing has supported a human patient for 171 days, which is the longest recorded duration for a pig organ to sustain a living individual. This finding propels pig-to-human organ transplants beyond short-term tests and alters the perspective on the viability of failing livers. Surgeons positioned the pig liver next to the patient’s own liver, enabling both organs to operate simultaneously within his body. Medical professionals at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (AHMU), China, observed the functionality of the organ while tracking the collaborative metabolic efforts of the two livers.
- Meat and poultry export associations obtained millions in new federal funding after the U. S. Department of Agriculture provided over $212 million in fiscal 2026 assistance via its Market Access Program(MAP) and Foreign Market Development program. This funding, managed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, featured significant amounts for the and the U. S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF),USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, in addition to other organizations dedicated to enhancing international demand for American protein. Through the MAP, the USMEF was granted $14. 07 million. U. S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. obtained $1. 34 million.
- Tönnies introduces an insurance for the livestock delivered to the slaughterhouses. The initiative stems from the arrival of African swine fever( ASF) infected pigs in 2024. The Tönnies slaughter facility located in Weißenfels, Germany, was promptly closed during that period, leading to the destruction of significant volumes of meat, this situation led to losses in the millions. Pig producers are unable to shoulder these costs, and current insurance policies do not account for the risks associated with animal diseases. Therefore, in partnership with two entities from the insurance sector, a novel liability insurance product has been created to address this concern. Farmers and suppliers working with Tönnies are now automatically covered if they deliver animals that are deemed defective. The coverage amount is set at €25 million, including €7. 5 million allocated for recall expenses. Tönnies Livestock Managing Director Robert Elmerhaus asserts that it is impractical for farmers to obtain this type of insurance on their own.
Events calendar:
- FoodWeek Uzbekistan in Tashkent is one of the oldest and most significant trade fairs for the food industry in Central Asia. The exhibition takes place at the UEC Uzexpocenter on 3 days from Tuesday, 17.02.2026 to Thursday, 19.02.2026.
- The FOODTECH in Plovdiv is an international trade fair that has established itself as a leading event in Bulgaria’s food industry. The fair will take place on 5 days from Tuesday, 17. February to Saturday, 21. February 2026.
- The “Tier&Technik” in St. Gallen is an international trade fair specializing in livestock farming and agricultural production. The Swiss fair takes place on 4 days from Thursday, 19.02.2026 to Sunday, 22.02.2026.
Catalonia
How does ASF spread to new countries and territories?
Almost 34 tons of unlawful meat was confiscated at the Port of Dover in January, marking a monthly record, which underscores the increasing amounts entering the UK. The Dover Port Health Authority(DHPA) took possession of nearly 8. 5 tons in January 2024 and 24. 5 tons in January 2025. The former high for a single month was 20 tons in September 2025.
In November, the DPHA reported that the total confiscated at the port since September 2022 had exceeded 300 tons, a number that has seen considerable growth since then. The DPHA is still awaiting its funding decision from Defra for the 2026/27 period to continue this essential work. Can we assume that the real quantity of meat entering the island is even higher and risk to introduce ASF is high? My answer would be: YES!
Meanwhile the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food of Spain has reported the identification of 13 additional instances of ASF in wild boars, all categorized as secondary occurrences owing to their closeness to previously documented outbreaks. Among these 13 confirmed cases, 11 were found within the already established high-risk area, while the remaining two were located in deceased boars discovered in the Molins de Rei area (Baix Llobregat), which had previously been outside the highest surveillance zone. This finding has promptly triggered preventive measures to mitigate any potential spread of the virus. Efforts to control the wild boar population will be heightened, involving a collaborative effort among Rural Agents, the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan Police), Civil Protection, and local law enforcement. This initiative will persist in carrying out the planned containment strategies: wiping down surfaces, collecting and handling carcasses, utilizing drones to locate dead animals, and assessing population density in the affected region.
All the European swine industry has eyes on Catalonia!
