BTV-8: Still Out
UK - Vigilance and vaccination remains the key to keeping British livestock free from Bluetongue. This is the message from the national JAB campaign group reminding farmers to protect their animals against disease in 2010.

New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability
US - The USDA is to develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities.

EU Farmers' Group Welcomes Debate on Welfare
EU - European Farmers organisation, Copa-Cogeca, has welcomed the public hearing on Animal Welfare organised by European Parliament, and emphasised the need to ensure that EU legislation is based on good scientific evidence and that the EU's high welfare...

Welsh Farmers Praise Extension on Relaxation Rules
UK - NFU Cymru has praised the Welsh Assembly Government on their pragmatic approach to an extension of the emergency relaxation to cross compliance regulations on supplementary feeding, for livestock farmers in Wales.

CME: Corn and Soybean Markets Under Pressure
US - All eyes will be on USDA’s monthly Crop Report and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) when they are released at 8:30 EST on Monday, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

HFAC Condemns Dairy Farm Animal Cruelty
US - Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the US organisation aimed at improving the lives of farm animals, has hit out at cruel farming practices recently revealed by ABC News on a segment exposing cruelty on “factory” dairy farms.

Help for New Vets on Farm Practice
UK - A series of six hands-on training courses has been developed by the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, to help recently qualified vets climb the steep learning curve in their first jobs in farm pract...

ILDEX Vietnam 2010: Solutions for Sustainable Growth
VIET NAM - ILDEX Vietnam 2010 will offer solutions for sustainable growth in Vietnam. The event take place in Ho Chi Minh City on 25 to 27 March.

Forum Aims to Set Global Milk Product Standards
NEW ZEALAND - The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has hosted a meeting of dairy-producing nations to develop international standards.

UFU Remains Optimistic About Milk Prices
UK - The Ulster Farmers’ Union is cautiously optimistic about Northern Ireland milk prices despite Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, announcing a 1.6 per cent fall in the price of Whole Milk Powder (WMP) sold through its internet auction ...

Good Japanese Rapport Vital to US Corn Market
US - Japan is the largest US corn export market, consistently importing approximately 16 million metric tons (630 million bushels) of U.S. corn each year.

Syria Enforces Levy on Imported Corn, Barley
US - In an effort to encourage local production and generate revenue for the national treasury, Syria has recently imposed import duties on corn and barley, the US Grains Council has learned.

Supermarket Code Long Overdue
UK - Retrospective demands for money and changes to trading terms are just some of the shady dealings being reported to the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in the days before a new code to govern retailer/ supplier trading is introduced.

Fonterra Must Be Consistent In Chinese Operations
NEW ZEALAND - Federated Farmers is urging Fonterra to exercise caution in any expansion of its Chinese operations.

Water Licence Concerns Must Be Addressed
AUSTRALIA - There are concerns that the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) Dairy Shed Water Licence Transition Programme will lack the support of Victorian dairy farmers unless significant changes are made.

Growth Expected For Greek Dairy, Not Beef
GREECE - Strong growth is expected for the poultry sector and cheese production, while pork and beef are on the decline.

Mexican Industry Copes With Recession
MEXICO - The beef sector in Mexico is coping with the recession somewhat better than expected. However the dairy industry, consisting of smaller, back-yard dairy producers, is struggling despite milk yields increasing.

$24M Grant From NIFA For Animal Health Research
US - USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) on Tuesday (2 February) announced $24 million in grants to study animal heath, reproduction, breeding, genetics and nutrition.

Corn Products Reports Drop In Income
US - Corn Products International has seen its net income fall 85 per cent in 2009 compared to 2008, hit by high corn prices early in the year and unfavorable currency conversion rates – despite a fourth quarter rebound.

Humane Slaughtering
US - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued two Humane Interactive Knowledge Exchange (HIKE) scenarios to provide workers with tips for the humane handling and slaughtering of animals.