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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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VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk