ANALYSIS – One of the largest pig meat producers in the EU has announced its plans to raise pig welfare standards at home, which will push up pork prices, and to seek expansion possibilities in China, writes Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePigSite.O…

US – Fridayâs employment reports from the Bureau of Labour
Statistics indicate that job growth has returned, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

CANADA – The National Farm Animal Care Councilâs Pig Code Development Committee expects a new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs to be ready for publication by mid-2013, writes Bruce Cochrane.

EU – Only three member countries â United Kingdom, Sweden and Luxembourg â are already compliant with Europe's partial stalls ban due to enter into force in January 2013, according to the European Commission.

QATAR – The decision by Dohaâs only off-licence to start selling pork products in December has resulted in online controversy, with expatriates and locals split on the surprise move by the retailer.

RUSSIA – From 7 to 9 February 2012 in Moscow, Russiaâs leading trade exhibition for modern animal husbandry and breeding continues to grow, more than 40 side events.

GLOBAL – Following the end of the dioxin crisis in Germany at the end of January 2011, the EU cull sow market gradually recovered and prices increased steadily through most of the year.

The latest news on Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks around the world.

GERMANY – For many pig producers in regions with a high livestock density, the retrofittable Big Dutchman-system for exhaust air treatment HelixX is often the only solution to qualify for a permit for the expansion of an existing farm.

UK – Although DAPP dropped a further 1.04p to stand at 142.31p, Cranswick probably set the trend last week by leaving its shout price unchanged and this cue was followed by Tulip, leading to all the other shout prices remaining unchanged, writes Peter …