NSW Minister warns drought will drive up food prices
AUSTRALIA - New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says the price of basic food is set to rise as farmers struggle to cope with drought.

Stopping the Spread of Exotic Diseases in Porcine Creatures
AUSTRALIA - It is estimated that a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will cost Australian rural industries more than $13 billion over a ten year period, with up to 70% of losses coming in the first year.

Farming sector fears worst
AUSTRALIA - The present drought is expected to be the most damaging in more than a century and threatens to cut the value of agricultural production by billions of dollars.

UQ Research Project Targets Colitis In Pigs And Poultry
AUSTRALIA - A new University of Queensland study aims to improve understanding of a remarkable organism which is an important cause of diarrhoea in animals and humans.

Animal activists claims against a NSW pig farm cleared by NSW RSPCA
AUSTRALIA - Australia's pig farmers, through their national representative body Australian Pork Limited, have welcomed the news that the NSW RSPCA has cleared the property in the Young district of New South Wales of any wrong doing relating to the welfare...

Plant closure won't affect pig producers: KR Castlemaine
AUSTRALIA - Smallgoods manufacturer KR Castlemaine has told Queensland pig producers it will still need their pork, despite announcing the closure of its Toowoomba processing plant.

Oz Farmers Blast Anti-Terror Laws
AUSTRALIA - Farmers say moves by the Federal Government to restrict the use of everyday farm chemicals and fertilisers are anti-terrorism tactics spinning out of control.

UK research to feature at Gold Coast conference
UK - The latest research into ‘precision animal farming’ in the UK and how it could be applied in Australia will be featured at the Horizons in Livestock Research Conference at the Gold Coast International Hotel from 8-11 October.

Biodiesel plant business case for Mid North
AUSTRALIA - The Southern Flinders Ranges Development Board is to develop a business case investigating building a canola crushing and biodiesel production plant in the Gladstone area.

PigPass to identify food safety risks
AUSTRALIA - Pork producers have welcomed a new identification system to trace animals from pig pen to plate.

Pork And Poultry Supplier Plays Down Hepatitis A Concerns
AUSTRALIA - One of the country's largest pork suppliers says there is little risk of its customers contracting hepatitis A, despite one of its staff falling ill from the virus earlier this month.

RSPCA Leads Calls To Ban Sow Stalls
AUSTRALIA - RSPCA Australia has today welcomed the increased attention on the use of sow stalls that has resulted from a story screened on the Seven Network’s Today Tonight programme.

Australian organic producers can look to export markets
AUSTRALIA - Organic food producers in Australia should look to exports to boost their sales, advises a new government report.

Code of conduct for pig welfare criticised
AUSTRALIA - The animal rights group Voiceless has criticised the Federal Government's draft code of conduct for pig welfare, claiming it is inaccurate and limits public consultation.

Animal Welfare - Vital For Livestock Transport
AUSTRALIA - With the increasing scrutiny of the management and care of animals, the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F) is urging producers and transporters to examine their livestock transport procedures to ensure that animals arrive...