Reuters/Pig numbers in the European Union could fall by as much as 10 per cent and the price of pork could rise substantially when tougher animal welfare regulations come into force next year. Some farmers are likely to leave the industry, especially in Spain, a major producer where a credit squeeze will make it harder
New EU welfare laws could shrink pork supplies
IGC sees record maize crop in 2012-13
Global maize production is projected to rise to a record 900 million tonnes in 2012-13, outstripping demand for the first time since the 2008-09 season, the International Grains Council said April 2. The IGC, in a monthly report, also cut its forecast for the global maize stocks at the end of the 2011-12 season following
IGC sees global maize deficit
Reuters / World maize production should climb in 2012-13 but is likely to remain below consumption as demand for meat boosts feed use, International Grains Council senior economist Amy Reynolds said March 14. Reynolds, in a presentation at the Agra Europe outlook conference, put the 2012-13 global maize crop at 880 million tonnes, up from
Closing gender gap seen key in food security fight
Apolicy aimed at ensuring future security of food supplies must centre around the world’s 500 million smallholder producers, many of whom are women who farm less than two hectares of land, a leading United Nations official said Dec. 14. “Unless they are at the centre of the future strategies for food security, we will not
EU looking to put the brakes on subsidy gravy train
British farmers will receive smaller subsidies in coming years, U.K. Farming Minister Jim Paice said, adding he favoured its eventual abolition as global food prices rise. “The single farm payment is going to go down,” said Paice, referring to the expected outcome of negotiations about the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. Senior EU officials
Companies See Role In Food Security
Food security concerns as the world s population surpasses seven billion have prompted global companies to become more actively involved in ensuring future supplies, participants at an agricultural conference said on Oct. 31. The increased role has come at a time government involvement is hampered by the global financial crisis and led to fears a
British Energy Firm Sees Potential From Stale Pork Pies
Major British independent oil firm Greenergy sees its future as an exploration company, but one that hunts for fuel in piles of stale pork pies and cakes rather than under the ground or from food crops. The refined oil product wholesaler is still investing in the embattled European Union biodiesel sector, aiming to utilize ever
EU Barley Quantity And Quality Down From Last Year
Barley harvests in Western Europe are winding down with an overall slight fall in the size of the crop and quality also expected to decline, particularly in Germany, crop analysts said Sept. 8. Winter barley in Germany suffered major damage from the triple blow of a very cold winter, springtime drought and summer rain, according
Importers To Limit Reliance On Cheap Russian Wheat
Russia has aggress ively undercut rivals to quickly reestablish itself in global wheat exports markets after an absence of almost a year but key buyers such as Egypt are likely to look to spread their supply risks once the price gap narrows. Exports from both Russia and neighbour Ukraine are expected to rebound strongly in
Better Use Of Nitrogen Needed
Nitrogen compounds play a vital role in feeding a rising world populat ion but they also pollute air, soil and water, according to a study published April 11. The study, carried out by 200 experts from 21 countries and 89 organizations, estimated the annual cost of damage caused by nitrogen pollution across Europe was 70
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