Dear readers,
As always, we start with the good news from the swine industry:
- In Spain the group of organizations headed by Incarlopsa has obtained financial support from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to pursue the initiative “Investigation of non-invasive methods for decision-making between the farm and processing facility: in vivo assessment of fasting and weight gain in pigs” (NOINVASIVEPIG) A new portable and modular device, created specifically for this project and featuring various optical components, will facilitate this .This device will enable the scientific determination of connections among temperature changes, physical measurements, and fasting and fat levels, and it can be set up at both farms and slaughterhouses .This strategy is designed to enhance the effectiveness of managing slaughter groups, guarantee meat quality, and improve animal welfare, aligning with the ongoing digitalization trends in the agricultural food industry.
- This week, the Department of Agriculture in Catalonia launched a €7 million urgent contract aimed at enhancing the campaign to eliminate ASF among wild boars .This effort comprises a prompt directive to the public enterprise TRAGSA to recruit 170 workers, with 40 set to begin next week; the installation of 57 additional Pig Brig traps; and the allocation of 51 off-road vehicles. Essential measures include:
- A thorough search for dead wild boars over a 1,050 km² region utilizing specialized tools and dog teams.
- The large-scale trapping of live wild boars employing designated methods.
- Logistical assistance for licensed hunting activities to manage the outbreak.
Events calendar:
- SIAL Canada is one of Canada’s leading trade shows for the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors, serving as a central meeting point for professionals across this dynamic industry. SIAL Canada takes place on 3 days from Wednesday, 29.04.2026 to Friday, 01.05.2026 in Montreal.
- The Nigeria Poultry & Livestock Expo (NIPOLI EXPO) is an annual trade fair that has established itself as a key platform for the poultry and livestock industry in Nigeria. The NIPOLI EXPO will take place on 3 days from Tuesday, 28. April to Thursday, 30. April 2026 in Ibadan.
- GRILLFEST, the largest BBQ festival in Europe, founded in 2023, in Romania, is a gastronomic culture event that brings together consumers and the biggest players in the meat and hospitality industry. The public has the opportunity to learn directly from industry specialists the latest information related to quality meat, nutrition, cooking techniques and gastronomic trends. The event takes place between 1-3 of May at Snagov, near Bucharest. See you there!
Song of the Future
Less than 10 years ago Germany was the undisputed leader of the pig industry in Europe. Two events reshaped this:
- The appearance of the African Swine Fever(ASF) determined the ban of German pork from the main Asian markets. I trusted the proverbial efficiency of the Germans but it seems it did not apply to the veterinary control measures. After more than 5 years, the disease is still not under control.
- The loud minority of vegans, pair with the animal rights activists, had a top representative in the German government: an Islamic vegan as minister of agriculture. The consequence : German pig industry facing extinction, due to overregulation. The German Cattle and Pig Breeders’ Association (BRS), the German Farmers’ Association (DBV), the German Raiffeisen Association (DRV), and the German Pig Producers’ Association (ISN) emphasize that the updated animal welfare regulations greatly surpass the benchmarks set by many European rivals and necessitate significant financial investments. Specifically, by the year 2029, farms are required to transition to communal housing for sows, ensuring a minimum area of 5 m² for each animal .Additionally, by 2036, they must implement free farrowing systems that provide at least 6.5 m² of space and limit confinement to no more than five days. Industry forecasts suggest that these improvements could incur costs of approximately €4,000 for each sow, resulting in potential expenditures of up to €1.5 million for medium-sized farms, all without any assurance of higher income. In numerous instances, adhering to these regulations may necessitate a reduction in herd sizes, which conflicts with goals related to food security .Consequently, there is a possibility that piglet production may be relocated to other countries .The associations advocate for a cohesive national initiative that includes an annual funding of about €200 million until 2036, which would cover up to 50% of the costs associated with these investments. In the current financial situation there are not to many chances for this measure…
As per information provided by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture , the number of piglets and young pigs brought in for additional raising reached 836.6 thousand, which is roughly 28% less than the figures from the identical timeframe in 2025, when exceptional amounts exceeding 1.17 million were noted.
Spain in the new leader of the European pig industry, also affected by ASF in the wild boars in Catalunya. Will it face the faith of Germany? This is the song of the future.
