China Takes Action to Improve Food Safety

Last week, the Chinese authorities arrested more people as part of a national crackdown on the manufacture and sale of clenbuterol, an illegal fat-burning drug that is sometimes used illegally as an additive in pig feed. This brings the total arrested to almost 1,000 over the last six months.

One province has announced new measures to prevent future abuses and accidents. In the eastern province of Shandong, new rules have been issued that require all pig abattoirs to keep records of each animal's source, circulation and consumption information to guarantee its safety

Under the new rules to be implemented on 1 October, abattoirs must establish a properly functioning system to recall any unsafe products.

Moving to France, the decade-long downward trend in the country's pig herd is continuing, according to the May 2011 census.

Overall pig numbers were two per cent lower than in May 2010. However, while the sow population fell one per cent, the numbers of maiden and in-pig gilts were down by around five per cent, suggesting the breeding herd is unlikely to increase in the coming months.

As in the rest of Europe, high feed prices are a key factor, having risen by around 50 per cent compared with year-earlier levels. More recently, weak domestic demand led to a decline in French pig prices during May and June, when prices elsewhere in Europe were generally stable, making conditions more challenging.

In the US, efforts are being made to boost domestic consumption of pig meat. Bolstered by market research that shows the new 'Pork – Be inspired' campaign is having a positive impact on consumer attitudes, more than 50 pork producers will meet in Des Moines this week to draft a 2012 budget for the National Pork Board that is expected to maintain a strong focus on getting consumers to eat more pork.