Schmallenberg takes greater hold in Ireland

06-Feb-2013 - Reports continue to emerge of a proliferation in Republic of Ireland farms infected by the Schmallenberg Virus as the calving and early lambing seasons get under way.

Ireland to take action on SBV

28-Jan-2013 - Schmallenberg has taken hold in the Republic of Ireland, with its agricultural department meeting farmers and vets this month to formulate a strategy after “numerous” cases emerged among early lambing flocks.

US senators call for action on EU trade barriers

28-Jan-2013 - Four US senators have called for EU barriers on US meat and other agricultural products to be addressed as a “priority” in trade negotiations.

EU meat production expected to drop

22-Jan-2013 - The total meat production in the European Union (EU) will drop by 2% in the next two years, according to a report published on Friday by the European Commission on the prospects for agricultural markets and income in the EU from 2012-2022.

Russia claims loss of confidence in EU animal products

17-Jan-2013 - Following the introduction of new restrictions on imports of animal products from the EU, Russian officials have warned the Russian industry has completely lost confidence in EU producers.

News in brief

Schmallenberg Virus detected in Finland

16-Jan-2013 - The Schmallenberg Virus has been discovered in lambs in Finland for the first time.

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FAO Food Price Index sees continued fall

11-Jan-2013 - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index dropped for the third month in a row in December, driven by a decrease in world prices for cereals and oils and fats.

Belarus plans new method to control meat quality

10-Jan-2013 - Belarus is planning to introduce a new system of meat quality control using UPC bar codes.

Irish sheepmeat granted access to UAE

09-Jan-2013 - Ireland has been given the green light to export sheepmeat to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time.

Iran invests millions in meat production

09-Jan-2013 - Iran’s government has announced plans to increase the country’s meat production capacity, with large-scale investment over three years.

News in brief

Low scrapie resistance among Finnish sheep

09-Jan-2013 - A new study has revealed that Finnish sheep have low levels of genetic resistance to classical scrapie, a fatal neurological disease that affects sheep and goats.

Ukraine government continues livestock support

08-Jan-2013 - The Ukraine government has pledged it will continue to prioritise livestock production, with state support during 2013.

US body queries hygiene status of Australian imported meat

07-Jan-2013 - A letter has been sent by a consumer advocacy group to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a bid to have them reverse a decision allowing Australian-inspected meat the same hygiene status as US-inspected meat.

Rising prices to hit foodservice

20-Dec-2012 - A UK procurement and supply chain company has warned that the catering and hospitality sectors are facing steep rises in food inflation in 2013.

Australia reports beef and veal export boost

18-Dec-2012 - Australia has reported a jump in beef and veal exports, with poor performance in Japan offset by increasing demand in other markets.

Meat industry calls for rapid TPP agreement

17-Dec-2012 - New Zealand’s red meat sector has called for a speedy resolution to Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, pointing out that a deal would generate jobs and create new opportunities for exporters.

News in brief

Australia extends COOL to unpackaged meat

12-Dec-2012 - Australian officials have voted to extend the country’s mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) rules to include unpackaged meat.

Abuse prompts further calls for ban on Australian live exports

12-Dec-2012 - Australia is facing renewed calls for a live export ban after campaigners released footage of Australian cattle and sheep suffering “shocking abuse” in an abattoir in Israel.

Namibia adds quality meat mark

07-Dec-2012 - The Meat Board of Namibia has introduced a new quality mark for meat produced within the country, which will give greater assurance to consumers that locally-produced meat reaches certain hygiene and classification standards.

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EU allocates animal disease funds

07-Dec-2012 - More than €199m has been set aside by the European Union to combat animal diseases in 2013.

Australian venture to explore new animal vaccine delivery

07-Dec-2012 - An agreement has been made between the University of Melbourne and a vaccine company to develop a new animal vaccine delivery system.

News in brief

Australia faces sheepmeat blocks

05-Dec-2012 - Australia is facing barriers to the trade of sheepmeat in key markets, including China, India and the EU, according to a research fellow from Murdoch University.

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Lamb production rises in New Zealand

29-Nov-2012 - New Zealand has reported an increase in lamb production this spring, although it was still the country’s third-smallest lamb crop since the 1950s.

Norway meat tariffs are protectionist, say MEPs

29-Nov-2012 - Members of the European Parliament have accused Norway of illicitly protecting its meat sector under the guise of reforming its tariffs system.

Russia claims EU deception over bluetongue

28-Nov-2012 - The EU has been hiding outbreaks of a dangerous strain of the bluetongue virus, grossly violating veterinary rules and World Trade Organization (WTO) responsibilities, Russian veterinary authorities have claimed.