India’s domestic meat and poultry sector criticised

India’s domestic meat and poultry industry is struggling to break free from being a traditional backyard trade, even if its exporters are improving standards, a Meat and Poultry Summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in New Delhi has been told.

News in brief

Horse DNA found at Polish meat storage units

Polish authorities have reportedly found traces of horse DNA in three meat storage facilities.

US groups call for action on livestock antibiotics

A coalition of US health, food and environmental groups has written to US senators calling for urgent action to improve reporting of antibiotic use in livestock.

Maple Leaf reports profit jump

Canadian processor Maple Leaf Foods has reported a big jump in profits in the fourth quarter of 2012, driven by strong earnings growth in the company’s prepared meats and fresh poultry businesses.

News in brief

Russia ready to lift US turkey ban

Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is considering lifting its ban on US turkey meat imports, officials have confirmed.

Russian-US ractopamine dispute could widen access for Brazil

Russia’s dispute with the US over ractopamine might give a boost to Brazilian exporters, Russian officials have said.

Horsemeat scandal 'unforgivable', says Nestlé boss

The entire food industry has been affected by the horsemeat scandal, according to the boss of Nestlé Paul Bulcke.

News in brief

Poultry firm reports increased mortality at Mexican plant

The poultry processor Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation revealed it has identified an increased mortality rate in one of its breeder flocks

Horsemeat scandal: Russia considers EU meat ban

Russia may impose temporary restrictions on meat imports from the European Union (EU) because of the horsemeat scandal, the country’s chief medical officer has claimed.

News in brief

Nestlé drops Spanish supplier over horsemeat affair

In the latest twist in the European horsemeat scandal, Nestlé Spain has dropped contracts with one of its Spanish suppliers after horse DNA was found in a batch of meat labelled as beef.

Australian Greens push government over animal welfare

Australia’s Green party has called on the ruling Labor government to “put their money where their mouth is” and make good on promises to establish an independent office of animal welfare.

Smithfield moves to supply ractopamine-free pork

US company Smithfield Foods has announced its readiness to meet the rising demand for ractopamine-free pork, following China and Russia announcing their need for such products.

Irish farmers call for stricter controls on meat imports

Following last week’s announcement of a mandatory DNA testing programme for meat processors in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), farmers are seeking further measures to protect the quality and reputation of Irish meat.

News in brief

OIE puts US at ‘negligible risk’ for BSE

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has recommended that the US’ BSE status is upgraded to “negligible risk”, the lowest risk level under the OIE Code.

Atria records positive sales

Fourth-quarter sales for the Finland-based food group Atria showed a €21.9m year-on-year sales growth, with sales for the quarter totalling €360.6m.

China boosts Australian beef and lamb exports

Australia has seen a jump in beef and lamb exports so far this year, driven partly by expansion into China, market analysts have revealed.

Warnings over EU agriculture cuts

Members of the European Parliament agriculture committee have raised concerns over cuts made to the European Union (EU)’s rural development fund in the recent EU 2014-20 spending deal – warning it may especially hit farmers rearing livestock of sheep and goats in poor regions.

US outrage over farmer data leak

Worry has been struck up amongst US pig, cattle and poultry farmers as a result of the actions carried out by an environment protection agency, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has said.

NI to introduce food chain reporting mechanism

Northern Ireland’s agricultural department is considering adoption of a ‘horizon-scanning’ system as a pro-active defence measure against food chain crises such as the horsemeat scandal.

News in brief

Brussels loses patience over sow stall failures

The failure of nine European Union (EU) member states to properly protect the welfare pregnant sows - breaking an EU law agreed 12 years ago - has caused the European Commission to threaten legal action over the issue.

Russian consumer rights body lays down challenge over meat quality control

The powers held by Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor over the quality control of meat in Russia are being challenged. Gennady Onishchenko, chief sanitary inspector at Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing), is proposing to make his organisation the only one to carry out veterinary controls in the country.

News in brief

Irish farmers welcome livestock rule change

Plans to relax the six-day standstill rule, which governs livestock, have been welcomed by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

Russians hit back at EU complaint to WTO

EU veterinary services should have better control over the quality of meat products, rather than submitting complaints on their trading partners, according to the heads of the Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.

Welfare body expresses horsemeat concerns

Concern about horsemeat found in processed "beef" food products across Europe has been raised by a Europe-wide animal welfare organisation.

Russia and Brazil discuss trading issues

Officials from Russia and Brazil have met to discuss sanitary and phytosanitary issues, including export certification for pig and poultry meat.

Food packaging to Middle East

UK food packaging company Sirane is looking to expand its company, with a new Middle Eastern office alongside manufacturing capability in Turkey.

Scotland turns in negative results for horsemeat to date

Results for horsemeat testing in Scottish meat processing companies have been reported as “negative to date”.

News in brief

Hong Kong bans poultry imports from two German states

Hong Kong has banned the import of poultry and poultry products from the German states of Brandeburg and Berlin following an outbreak of low-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.

Russia sees rapid fall in prices

Meat and poultry prices in Russia have fallen dramatically in the wake of the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), producers’ unions have warned.

Nestlé withdraws beef pasta products as horse DNA is found

Nestlé has removed beef pasta products from sale in Italy, Spain and France after horse DNA was found in them.

MEPs call for improved traceability of horsemeat

Members of the European Parliament’s public health and food safety committee asked last night for horsemeat supplies within the European Union (EU) to be subjected to better traceability requirements, because of the ongoing labelling scandal.

News in brief

Popularity rises for Welsh Lamb in Middle East

Due to the Middle East’s growing interest in Welsh Lamb, representatives from the Welsh red meat industry will be travelling to Dubai to further promote the product.

News in brief

International groups join forces for smallholder grant

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development has signed an agreement to promote smallholder finance in order to boost agricultural production in developing countries. 

Top beef cuts demand seen across Europe

Despite the ongoing scandal of horsemeat, there is still a growing demand for both cheap and premium cuts of beef across Europe, delegates to a meat conference in the UK were told.

European plan on horsemeat approved

The Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) has endorsed a European Commission plan to tackle the horsemeat crisis by testing thousands of beef products across Europe for horse DNA.

Russians concerned over EU horsemeat

Russian authorities have begun inspecting meat products on sale in supermarkets for the presence of horsemeat in the wake of the contamination scandal in Europe.

News in brief

UK's FSA to publish DNA test results

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK is to publish results of food DNA tests today, in light of the horsemeat scandal.

Romania continues to defend stance on horsemeat

For the second time this week, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta [Wednesday] leapt to the defence of its meat industry.

Rabobank points to food supply chain flaws

A report carried out by the Dutch banking group Rabobank has highlighted flaws within the food and agricultural supply chain.

Ukraine livestock bodies call for a limit to meat imports

Ukraine’s livestock associations have made a joint request to the government to limit meat imports by introducing quotas and increasing duties – in particular on pork and pork products.

UK’s Paterson reveals action on horsemeat following Brussels meeting

UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has released a statement following an EU meeting in Brussels yesterday to address the horsemeat scandal.

News in brief

Provisur promises ‘breakthrough’ at German show

A leading machinery supplier is gearing up to showcase a range of new equipment during the meat industry’s biggest exhibition, IFFA, later this year.

Russia accuses Ukraine of supplying meat with ractopamine

Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has introduced temporary restrictions on the import of meat products from a Ukrainian company after veterinary inspectors found ractopamine in the shipment of frozen pork.

Combined effort on hunger

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Academy of Gastronomy (AIG) are planning to combine their strengths to combat hunger and poverty.

News in brief

EC is taking action on horsemeat scandal, assures commissioner

The EU Comissioner for health and consumer policy has stressed that the European Commission is taking action over the horsemeat contamination scandal.

EU ministers to discuss horsemeat scandal

Agriculture ministers from the European countries affected by the horsemeat scandal are meeting in Brussels this evening to discuss the issue as investigations continue.

News in brief

One Planet man moves to food supply forum

The previous head of the UK branch of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) One Planet Food Programme has revealed his move to a non-profit organisation.

Netherlands calls on British companies to help food shortage

The Dutch government has called for British companies to help solve the potential food shortage crisis that is expected to arise by 2050.

OIE upholds ‘negligible risk’ status for Brazil over BSE

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases has confirmed that it will not withdraw Brazil's “negligible risk” status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Horsemeat scandal ‘completely unacceptable’, says UK’s Paterson

UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson updated the House of Commons on the latest developments surrounding the horsemeat scandal.

News in brief

Irish retailer campaign results in positive performance

The Irish supermarket chain Dunnes has seen its strongest rate of growth in four years.

ACMC expands Philippines operation

ACMC is due to expand its international pig-breeding company in the Philippines, producing its own hybrid AC1 breeding gilts, in addition to surplus for sale to other commercial farmers.

Cargill extends environmental initiatives

Cargill has announced plans to install a solar energy system at its beef processing plant in Fresno, California.

Northern Irish union calls for better suckler prices

President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union Harry Sinclair has expressed concern over how low the average cost of suckler beef production is in Northern Ireland.

News in brief

Brazil sees jump in January beef exports

Brazil saw a big increase in beef exports last month despite BSE-restrictions, according to the latest data.

EFSA to set slaughterhouse welfare indicators

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is set to deliver animal welfare guidance by November to help European Union (EU) member states assess the compliance of their slaughterhouses with EU animal welfare rules in effect since the beginning of the year.

McDonald's sales drop again

The world’s leading foodservice retailer McDonald’s revealed today that its global comparable sales decreased by 1.9% in January, despite an increase in US sales.

Ozone sterilisation heralds safer chicken

Scientists at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, have developed a novel way to make packaged food, including any meat product, safer for consumers and to extend shelf-life by exploiting the germicidal power of ozone, a form of oxygen.

UK processors ordered to test beef products following 100% horse meat discovery

UK meat processors and retailers have been ordered to conduct testing on all processed beef products after ready meals on sale in supermarkets were found to contain 100% horse meat.

Russia set to ban US turkey meat

Russia is preparing to ban the import of turkey meat from the US over ractopamine fears, and could also ban broiler meat imports, the veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has revealed.

Tyson’s Smith gives speech

More than 4,000 students attended the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) College Student Career Programme from 25 universities, where Tyson Food’s president and CEO Donnie Smith made the keynote speech.

Red meat vital to nutrition

A new study from the UK has found that red meat plays a vital role in nutrition for people of all ages.

News in brief

Senior appointment at Provisur

A global provider of food processing equipment has announced the appointment of a new vice-president of global product management for the company.

Analyst warns of RFS threat to US poultry industry

A US analyst has warned that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is causing the cost of chicken and turkey to rocket, leaving many producers facing bankruptcy.

News in brief

Bettcher finds Whizard response for chicken carcases

Poultry companies looking to recover more profit from their carcases were being offered a unique new system by Bettcher Industries at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta.

Russia looks to align with EU on US-approved meat firms

Russia might only re-open its markets to US companies authorised to export meat and meat products to the EU, officials have revealed.

Japan opens doors to EU beef

Japan has opened its markets to imports of beef and beef products from the European Union (EU) for the first time in 12 years.

Challenges facing the US meat sector

Patrick Boyle, CEO of the American Meat Institute, discusses some of the challenges facing the AMI's members in the US.

EU to allow US live pig imports

The European Commission has lifted a ban on the import of live pigs from the US, showing the European Union (EU) is willing to compromise over its interests in the meat and livestock sector.

Ireland resumes cattle exports to Libya

Exports of live cattle from the Republic of Ireland to Libya are set to resume for the first time since 1996, raising hopes of restoring the formerly buoyant trade and reopening other markets.

News in brief

Sandvik re-affirms the benefits of metal

A steel conveyor manufacturer is leading a fight back against the plastic competition in a bid to remind industry of the benefits of metal.

Ukraine firm sees big rise in poultry exports

Ukranian agricultural holding MHP has reported a strong increase in poultry exports in 2012.

Schmallenberg takes greater hold in Ireland

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.

Exclusive interview

US-Russia trade disputes: a view from exporters

Globalmeatnews.com talks to Phillip Seng, president and CEO of the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), about the difficulties that the US is facing when it comes to exporting meat to Russia.

British meat industry to introduce DNA testing

Some in the British meat industry are set to introduce DNA testing on meat products to reassure consumers in the wake of the horse meat contamination scandal.

Machinery companies showcase inspection lines

Two equipment companies were on hand to offer a “harsh reality check” to meat processors at a recent trade show in Atlanta.

News in brief

Grote claims payback with new slicer

Slicing specialist Grote used the International Production & Processing Expo as the platform to launch the latest addition to its slicer range.

Hot topic

New name in functional ingredients

A specialist ingredients supplier used the International Production and Processing Expo to announce the integration of several companies under a single new banner.

Zambeef sells stake in chicken business

Zambeef, one of the largest agribusinesses in Zambia, has sold a 49% stake in Zam Chick to the South African-based chicken processing company Rainbow Chicken for US$14.25m as part of a “strategic partnership”.

Cows produce more methane while nursing calves, says report

A new study in the US has found that, in grain-fed beef systems, the greatest amount of methane is created when cows are nursing their calves.

Indian meat trade targeted, claims religious group

The leaders of India’s 160-million plus Muslim community, which dominates the country’s meat trade, is complaining of persistent harassment by Hindu "hardliners".

Supermarkets ditch suppliers after horse meat scandal

The impact of the horse meat burger scandal continues to be felt in the UK and Ireland, with Irish plant Silvercrest losing several major contracts last week.

News in brief

Expo debates need for GM product

Genetic modification has to be part of the solution in tackling sustainable food production, an academic has told a conference of meat producers.

News in brief

New system plans to light up meat industry

A leading lighting provider is hoping to expand its operations into the meat sector by offering what it claims is the first specialist LED lighting system for product inspection within meat plants.

Production costs change US meat consumption habits

The increasing cost of production is changing the face of US consumption patterns, farming leaders have highlighted.

Meat-eating in Russia reaches record high

Meat consumption in Russia has reached a record level, according to analysts.

Top performers recognised in US meat awards

A number of meat organisations have been recognised in a range of awards from the American Meat Institute (AMI).

Cherkizovo reports mixed results

Russian meat processing company Cherkizovo has announced mixed results in a trading update for last year.

Brazilian scientists identify ‘correct’ ractopamine pig dosage

A small dose of the feed additive ractopamine can boost pork production, without changing the look or taste of the meat, animal scientists in Brazil have claimed.

Kazakhstan boosts support to livestock sector

Kazakhstan has announced efforts to boost meat production through new rules on livestock subsidies, including increased funding allocation and reduced payment times on grants.

News in brief

Multisorb extends shelf-life for meats

Shelf-life extension options were on display in Atlanta, with specialist supplier Multisorb showcasing a range of its products.