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Number of pigs decreasing in Wales
Number has more than halved in ten years

The number of pigs in Wales has more than halved in just over ten years as production costs continue to increase, it has been revealed.

According to Meat Promotion Wales (MPW), there were just 25,600 pigs in Wales at the end of last year, compared to 65,200 in 2000.

Although prices have risen with each year, MPW says that producers currently get nearly £1.55 per kilogram, about 14p less than the cost of production.

John Richards, a spokesman for MPW, mainly blamed the high cost of feed, saying: "At the same time, the size of the Welsh pig herd continues to decline. A 4% drop in numbers to the year ending December 2011 saw the total number stand at 25,600. This is less than half the number in 2000 when there were 65,200 pigs in Wales."

The number of pigs passing through Welsh abattoirs in August was 2700 - 14% than 2011, and the third month in a row that numbers have declined. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.