Hungary, which recently reported its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in over half a century, has suggested that the virus may have an artificial origin. As Reuters reports, on Thursday, Gergely Gulyás, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, stated that a "biological attack" cannot be ruled out.

European and American agricultural organizations have expressed concern over the new US import tariffs on goods from the European Union, which take effect on April 9. According to President Donald Trump, the tariffs will be set at 20%, significantly raising the price of European products on the US market.

In the first quarter of 2025, a total of 4,481 cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were reported among wild boars and 168 among domestic pigs across 17 European countries, according to updated data from the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS) as of April 9.

Surveys by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), based on data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex), show that Brazilian pork exports totalled 116.3 thousand tons in March, a volume 26.6% higher than that shipped in the same month of 2024, with 91.9 thousand tons.

On April 10, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez began an official visit to Vietnam and China, aiming to strengthen political and economic ties with Asian countries against the backdrop of rising global trade conflicts following sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States.

Pig meat quotations rose in the European Union after Germany regained foot-and-mouth-disease-free status.

The European Commission has proposed 25% counter-tariffs on a range of American goods in response to US tariffs on European steel and aluminum. The news was reported by Reuters, citing a document seen by journalists.

Austria has closed 24 small border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia in an attempt to stop the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) into the country. Austria was last affected by FMD in 1981.

Another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been reported in Slovakia, this time at a large dairy farm in Plavecký Štvrtok, near the Austrian border. The farm, owned by Danish investment company FirstFarms, housed approximately 3,000 dairy cows, 600 calves, and 150 young animals. This marks the fifth confirmed FMD case in Slovakia within a short period, indicating ongoing virus spread in the country.

The 2025 Power of Meat study looks into meat and poultry consumption trends in 2024, as well as the behaviors, perceptions, and purchasing patterns of meat shoppers.

Hungary has deployed soldiers and launched new disinfection measures to help contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in a northwestern area bordering Slovakia and Austria, Reuters reported, citing the agriculture minister on Wednesday.

For the first time, all 27 European Union countries, along with Iceland and Norway, have collected and published data on the sales and use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry.

Canadian farmers brace for the fallout after China imposed steep tariffs on key agricultural exports—including a 100% duty on canola oil, canola meal and peas—prompting swift support measures from the federal government, according to a government-issued press release. 

Hungary is currently facing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral infection posing serious risks to both livestock and wildlife. The disease was first detected in Kisbajcs and later confirmed in Levél, both in Győr-Moson-Sopron County near the Slovak border. Despite strict containment measures, the situation remains critical.

Researchers from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have developed a reverse genetics system for African swine fever virus (ASFV). This new system will aid researchers in developing vaccines and in studying the pathogenesis and biology of ASFV, a highly contagious, deadly viral disease affecting domesticated and wild pigs, especially prevalent in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. A recent study estimates if ASFV reached the United States it could result in economic losses exceeding $50 billion over a ten-year period.

Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS has announced plans to invest $100 million in the construction of two meat processing plants in Vietnam. According to Reuters, the new facilities will produce beef, pork, and poultry, allowing the company to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and strengthen its position in the global market.

African Swine Fever remains a serious challenge for Europe's pig farming sector. According to new data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the number of ASF outbreaks increased in February 2025.

The restriction zone established around this second outbreak, which involves more than 3,000 dairy cattle, covers a small part of Austrian territory.

The Canadian government has announced enhancements to the AgriStability program in response to China’s decision to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian exports of canola oil, canola meal, and peas, as well as 25% tariffs on certain pork, fish, and seafood products.

At the end of March, prices on the slaughter pig live market increased by 3-4% compared to the previous week. These are the results of the weekly monitoring of live pork purchase prices announced by analysts of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders.