Dear readers,
Some good news from the pig industry:
- In 2022, the Paraguayan meat firm Frigorífico Concepción, which had focused on beef, revealed its plans to dedicate $40 million for the establishment of a pork processing facility. The plant, situated in the town of Katueté, is currently operational under the name Incka Foods, with a daily capacity to process 3,700 pigs and generate around 100 tons of meat alongside processed meat offerings. To support this production capacity, the company has also made investments in animal husbandry, owning 18,500 breeding sows.
- After a 14-month examination by the Advertising Standards Authority, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board of the UK is set to restart its campaign that endorses red meat from British farmers .The advertisements were previously halted by a television host who advocates for climate initiatives. Due to a complaint lodged by presenter Chris Packham, the “Let’s Eat Balanced” campaign by AHDB, which promotes red meat and dairy products, has experienced a 14-month suspension. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) accepted just one challenge regarding the carbon footprint assertion, while rejecting the other complaints, citing the scientific backing provided by the AHDB. The AHDB has declared its intention to reinitiate the campaign in the autumn, and the results of the investigation have led to contentment among farming groups and anger from certain environmental activists in the UK. We need to act more against such influencers!
- Live attenuated virus (LAV) vaccines for African Swine Fever(ASF) produced commercially have been granted regulatory approval in countries within Southeast Asia and are being incorporated into control measure. Nonetheless, there is still a shortage of research concerning field evaluations and monitoring after vaccination .The processes for regulatory oversight and post-approval monitoring of veterinary vaccines differ by region, resulting in discrepancies and data gaps. Scientists from The Pirbright Institute and City University of Hong Kong have created the initial global standards for assessing field trials and monitoring the effects after vaccination with African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccines.These guidelines have been established to enhance disease management among members of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), focusing on addressing deficiencies in the field assessment of ASF.
Events calendar:
- The Thaifex Anuga Asia is an international trade fair for food, beverages, catering, food technology, and hotel and restaurant supplies, organized by Koelnmesse Co. Held at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The fair will take place on 5 days from Tuesday, 26. May to Saturday, 30. May 2026.
- J-AGRI Kumamoto, formerly known as AGRI WEEK, located at Grandmesse Kumamoto, represents the leading agricultural and livestock exhibition in Japan and across Asia. J-AGRI takes place on 3 days from Wednesday, 27.05.2026 to Friday, 29.05.2026.
Save Me
The French Senate has charged the nation’s leading grocery chains with using “predatory practices” towards producers and farmers.
In a report released on 21 of May, a Senate committee pointed out an “uneven distribution of value in the food supply chain,” which it claimed puts manufacturers and farmers at a disadvantage. The review examined profit margins of both manufacturers and retailers over a six-month timeframe, holding 189 hearings with representatives from agricultural unions, sales directors, purchasing managers, and the local competition authority, among others. The report indicated that “the power dynamic between the majority of manufacturers and large retailers is now tilted in favor of the latter.” According to the report, from an average €100 that consumers spend on food, €8 is allocated to farmers, €14 to processors and manufacturers, €35 to importers, and €40 to big retailers.
Judith Jiguet, who serves as the director general of the Federation of Commerce and Retail(FCD), stated: “The discussion surrounding food deserves more than simplifications, stereotypes, and one-sided accusations…We call for transparency from distributors, yet we do not hold major food manufacturers to the same standard: this complete absence of mutual accountability leads us to scrutinize the report from its initial proposals…Daily, retailers bear cost fluctuations to maintain the affordability of the French shopping basket.” So, from 8 € the farmer should also support market fluctuation, 30 € are not enough?!
The Polish Central Veterinary Inspectorate announced the detection of the ASF virus .The impacted farm, with over 21.000 pigs, is situated roughly 70 kilometers from the border with Germany .Consequently, ongoing vigilance is recommended in Germany as well.
How does Germany react? A temporary settlement has been built in a forest for several weeks .It is anticipated that as many as 50,000 attendees will arrive at Giller mountain close to Hilchenbach, in North Rhine-Westphalia, for the annual KulturPur tent festival is being held on the mountain, which is situated in the Rothaar Mountains – right within ASF restricted zone II, adjacent to the boundary of an ASF core area.
Meanwhile, the Catalan government temporarily paused the filming of Russell Crowe’s film “The Last Druid” in the Collserola mountains located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain .This halt in production was prompted by non-compliance with stringent biosecurity protocols set in place to curb the transmission of ASF. Now the actor can perform again his song: save me!
