Focus on Denmark

Facing post-2013 challenges

Exporting 90% of its pork production to countries in and out of the EU, Denmark tends to be ahead of the game when it comes to food safety, environmental protection and animal welfare. But with the requirement to replace sow stalls with group pens due to be implemented by the European Commission in January 2013, the Danish pig industry is facing unprecedented challenges.

Focus on Denmark

Strategy for growth

Co-operative the Tican Group has adopted several methods to improve production and ensure steady growth in the past 15 years, but the size and location of its abattoir are set to prove a challenge for the future.

Focus on Denmark

The future of Danish co-operative slaughterhouses

What sets the Danish pig industry apart is its co-operative structure, within which abattoirs are entirely owned by farmers. The first co-operative was created in 1887 and, by 1963, there were 77.

Focus on Denmark

Medicinal purposes

With animal antibiotics in media headlines of late, Denmark finds itself at the forefront of research and investment in food safety.

Focus on Denmark

Ahead of the game

As the EU sow stall ban draws nearer, Denmark’s pig industry faces a fresh set of challenges, but believes its policies on welfare, the environment and the quality of its products will carry it through.

News in brief

Provisur launches separator

Equipment supplier Provisur Technologies has launched its AM2C separating and deboning machine, featuring low-rotation speed, low-rise temperature and low-maintenance cost.

US beef industry welcomes withdrawal of youth labour law

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) commended the Obama administration for withdrawing a proposed rule that would have prevented young people from working on farms.

China authorises Costa Rican imports

China has approved three Costa Rican plants for exports to its market, according to Costa Rican Agriculture Minister Gloria Abraham Peralta.

Russia considers complete ban on Brazilian meat

Russia is considering banning all meat imports from Brazil and Argentina, due to their poor monitoring of quality compliance, the country’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has said.

News in brief

Hong Kong halts Chinese poultry imports over bird flu

Honk Kong has suspended poultry imports from the eastern Chinese province of Liaoning, after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in the region.

US pork sector warns about consequences of sow stall removal

The US pork industry has warned that phasing out sow stalls would increase the price of meat and devastate the industry, with minimum animal welfare benefits.

Efforts to contain impact of US mad cow disease

The United States government has told GlobalMeatNews that there should be no reason why countries should ban its beef imports following the discovery of its first bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) case in six years, in California.

News in brief

UK MP calls for food sector reshuffling

Member of Parliament (MP) Laura Sandys has asked the UK government to rethink the food sector’s business model in order to combat inflation and food insecurity.

News in brief

Cherkizovo reports 42% increase in poultry sales

Russian meat processor Cherkizovo has announced an increase of 42% in poultry sales volumes in Q1 2012, which the firm said reflects the launch of its new Bryansk site, and the May 2011 purchase of poultry company Mosselprom.

Indonesia suspends US beef imports over BSE

The Indonesian agriculture ministry has announced the suspension of US beef imports from today, after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in a Californian dairy cow.

Burger King pledges to phase out sow stalls

Fast-food giant Burger King has announced its pledge to phase out sow stalls, as well as battery cages for hens, from its suppliers by 2017.

Report shows impact of intensive livestock farming in Canada

Canadian factory farming has had a tremendous impact on human health, the environment, animal welfare and rural communities, according to a report commissioned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPCA).

BSE detected in US dairy cow

An atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been detected in a dairy cow in California, but the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said it presented no food safety risk, as the animal was not presented for slaughter for human consumption.

News in brief

EU processors deplore pork export refund scrapping

CLITRAVI, the liaison centre for the meat processing industry in the EU, has criticised the “sudden and drastic” elimination of export refunds for pig meat products implemented by the European Commission last week.

USDA enhances residue controls and prevention

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced new measures to prevent illegal residues in meat products, including the creation of a compliance guide, and increased testing for violators.

US horse slaughter would not solve welfare issues, says HSUS

A New Mexico rancher’s application to open the country’s first horse abattoir since lifting a ban on such slaughter has been met with controversy, with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) saying the practice “runs counter to American values”.

TPP membership crucial to Canadian food sector

Demand from Asia could boost the Canadian food industry after years of uncertainty, but officials must ensure the country is not left our of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreements because of protective measures, a report has said.

Chinese meat imports exceed exports in 2011

China’s meat imports exceeded its exports in 2011, according to figures collected by the country’s China Meat Association (CMA).

Feature

Flawed Science

With recent anti-meat hysteria across global media, Carina Perkins talks to some experts who challenge the view that meat and saturated fat is bad for our health.

News in brief

Meat ingredients company posts strong half year results

Denmark-based ingredients firm Chr. Hansen has posted organic growth of 11% in the first half of the financial year 2011/12, with a revenue of €333m, up 9% year-on-year.

Russia aims to achieve beef self-sufficiency by 2018

Russian authorities have decided to reverse the negative trend seen in the beef market since 2005 and achieve self-sufficiency in the next seven years.

Brussels cuts EU beef and pork export refunds

The European Commission has announced it would reduce EU beef export refunds by 33% and slashed pork export refunds to zero.

EU auditors reject CAP reform proposals

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has dismissed the Commission’s proposals for a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) as “too complex”.

Brazil could meet half of global meat demand

Brazil will be capable of supplying almost half of the world’s beef within 10 years, according to the Brazilian minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Jorge Mendes Ribeiro Filho.

News in brief

Meat-eating essential to human evolution

Eating meat played a major role in human evolution by prompting early weaning, according to new research.

Brazilian beef exports to reach US$6bn in 2012

Exports of Brazilian beef are expected to reach US$6bn in 2012, up 20% from 2011 with a 10% increase in volume, according to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (Abiec).

Brazil beef industry outlook: Interview with Abiec director

Fernando Sampaio, director of the Brazilian beef exporters' association (Abiec) talks to GlobalMeatNews about the sector's outlook, obstacles to overcome, and the country's trade relationship with Argentina.

Brazilian poultry: Interview with UBABEF president

Francisco Turra, president of the Brazilian Poultry Association (UBABEF), talks to GlobalMeatNews about the state of the industry, exports, and the anti-dumping levy imposed in South Africa.

News in brief

UK ingredients company gets halal certification

Meat ingredients specialist BHJ UK Protein Foods has secured halal certification for its SCANPRO Beef 95 functional protein ingredient.

Meat at the top of French grocery carbon footprint

Meat is accountable for one-third of the average French shopper’s carbon footprint, despite only representing 8% of the basket’s weight, and 23% of its cost, according to a study by French environment ministry CGDD.

US pork prices regain momentum

US pork export valued reached US$58.17 per hog slaughtered in February, up 14% year-on-year, leading to a 21% increase in export value (US$526.2m), according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

News in brief

GEA appoints new director of quality management

Christian Herten has been appointed director of quality management, health & safety and environment at GEA Refrigeration Technologies.

US livestock antibiotics guidance meets mixed reaction

Representatives of the American meat industry have expressed mixed reactions to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) publication of a draft guidance on the use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry production.

Cherkizovo to increase Russian market share

Cherkizovo Group, one of the largest Russian producers of meat and meat products in Russia, plans to increase its share in the national pork and poultry sectors from 5% and 10% to 20% and 30% respectively, research by investment company BCS has revealed.

Canadian food safety inspection reform criticised

Canada’s Agriculture Union, PSAC, has warned that the government’s plan to cut 100 food safety inspectors may put human health at risk.

Brazil still determined to go to WTO on South African anti-dumping levy

The Brazil Poultry Association (UBABEF) has reasserted its determination to ask for World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations on an anti-dumping levy recently imposed by South Africa.

News in brief

Ukrainian meat and poultry firm reports solid results

Ukrainian meat and poultry producer MHP has reported fairly stable performance in the first quarter of 2012.

Russia close to meeting own poultry needs

Russia is nearing self-sufficiency in poultry meat, although ministers have said the country will not abandon imports.

Sow stall ban costly, but necessary, says Australian industry

The voluntary phasing out of sow stalls in Australia could cost the industry around AUS$50m and result in a decrease in productivity, industry leaders have admitted.

Worldwide halal certification standard created

An eminent group of UK halal scholars have created a new Shariah-compliant halal certification scheme for the food industry, which they hope will be adopted as a worldwide standard.

Irish meat trade in China mission

Irish meat industry representatives have joined other food industry and government representatives on a large-scale trade mission to China.

Ukraine faces livestock crisis

Ukraine experienced a sudden drop in meat production in the first part of 2012, with analysts warning that the resulting prices are leaving residents unable to afford domestically produced meat.

New study recommends cutting meat consumption for climate

The developed world would have to cut its red meat consumption in half to meet the nitrous oxide (N2O) reduction targets set out by the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a new report has claimed.

Australia claims good progress on sow stalls

Australia’s pig industry representatives have claimed the industry is well ahead of its target to phase out the use of sow stalls by 2017.

News in brief

Sofina buys Fearmans Pork

Canadian meat producer Sofina Foods Inc has finalised a deal to buy a former Maple Leaf Foods pork processing plant from investment firm Sun Capital Partners.

EU asks for justification of reproductive material ban

The European Commission has demanded that Mexico and Brazil provide a scientific explanation for a new ban on reproductive livestock material imports from the EU.

Cargill returns stronger Q3 profits

US processor Cargill has bounced back after poor profits in the first six months of the year, reporting a strong performance in the third quarter.

News in brief

US producer in beef recall

A US meat producer has recalled over 2,000lb of ground and tenderised beef products over fears that they are contaminated with E.coli O157:H7.

Welfare body warns of "appalling suffering" on EU rabbit farms

UK animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has called for better standards on EU rabbit farms after an investigation into the industry allegedly revealed “appalling suffering”.

Latvia could face pork crisis due to Russian import ban

Latvian pig farmers have warned they are facing a potential crisis as a result of Russia’s ban on the import of live pigs from the EU.

Russia accuses Georgia of swine fever sabotage

Russian officials have accused Georgia of bringing African swine fever (ASF) into Russia as a form of economic sabotage.

Canada plans overhaul of meat inspection

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published proposed amendments to its meat inspection regime, which would give meat processors greater freedom to trade inter-provincially and internationally.

US poultry industry refutes arsenic claims

The US poultry industry has hit back over a New York Times article, which claimed that intensively reared chickens are being fed arsenic.

News in brief

Wendy’s makes moves in Eastern Europe

Global burger chain Wendy’s has announced it will be expanding further into Eastern Europe.

Miratorg reports strong growth in the first quarter of 2012

Russian pork giant Miratorg has reported a 70% growth in production volumes for the first 3 months of 2012, reaching 57,909 tonnes (t) in live weight from 34,058t in Q1 2011.

UK gives FAO £16m to improve agricultural statistics

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) has donated £16m ($25m) to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), supporting a global initiative to improve agricultural statistics.

News in brief

China authorises Mexican pork imports

China has given export approval to five Mexican pig processors, after an authorisation process that lasted five years.

French industry determined to fight meat misinformation

French meat industry union Sniv-SNCP has started an “offensive strategy”, including potential court action, to combat misinformation spread by the media.

Sustainable meat production in Brazil

The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Brazilian Association of Beef Exporters (ABIEC) discuss the environmental progress made in Brazilian livestock production, and the challenges ahead.

Ritual slaughter blamed for rise in E.coli and Campylobacter cases

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has declared that the rise in Campylobacter and E.coli cases in Europe was “directly related” to an alleged increase in ritual slaughterings, which she called a “sanitary bomb”.

UK processors reject EU ban on ‘desinewed meat’

The British Meat Processors’ Association (BMPA) has criticised the European Commission’s ban on ‘desinewed meat’ (DSM), a product obtained using low pressure to separate meat from bones, calling it “a criminal waste of a valuable product”.

Northern Ireland meat targets Chinese market

China is driving global prices for sheepmeat (as well as beef and pork), offering unlimited potential for exporters gaining access to the lucrative market, delegates at last week’s Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland’s (LMC) conference heard.

China becomes world’s biggest food market

China has overtaken the US as the world's biggest food market, according to the latest research.

Argentina denies non-compliance to WTO regulations

Argentina has rejected a joint statement issued by 14 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members, asking it to remove the import restrictions it recently implemented, as “unjustified”.

News in brief

Low pathogenic bird flu hits Irish pheasants

The Irish department of agriculture, food and the marine has confirmed a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreak in pheasants in the West Cork area.

News in brief

Ishida makes impact at Anuga FoodTec

Ishida is making strong inroads against the competition with the success of its new split dual-lane tray sealer, the company claimed.

News in brief

Eagle eye on inspection

Meat suppliers looking to step up to the global stage were being offered the latest in inspection technology by Eagle Product Inspection at Anuga FoodTec.

Anuga FoodTec enjoys best show to date

Organisers behind Anuga FoodTec 2012 have declared the show the most successful to date, with visitor numbers rocketing by 25%.

Meat industry needs fresh approach to packaging, says expert

Meat packaging needs to step up a gear and shift away from simple functionality and start adding value to the category, a leading packaging expert told visitors to Anuga FoodTec.

News in brief

Italian cold cut exports reach €1.4bn

Exports of Italian cold cuts reached 138,000 tonnes in 2011, surpassing €1bn in value for the first time in the country’s history.

UK meat exports rise 22% in 2011

UK exports of livestock products rose 22% in 2011, reaching £2.3bn, according to industry levy bodies Eblex and Bpex.

Hilton Food Group reports positive 2011 results

UK processor Hilton Food Group has reported a 13.6% revenue growth in 2011, driven by the opening of a new meat-packing facility in Denmark and the recovery of raw material meat prices.

‘Pink slime’ processor files for bankruptcy

US ground beef processor AFA Foods has filed a bankruptcy petition, citing the ‘pink slime’ scandal that has been shaking the American meat industry for months.

WTO accession could cost Russian pork sector US$68.9m per year

Russian pig farmers estimate that accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will cost the pork industry US$68.9m a year, as the country starts cutting Customs duties for pig and pork imports.

Meat production can be sustainable, says WWF

Meeting growing world demand for meat while preserving the environment is achievable with improved management practices and efficiency, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Brazil defends commitment to cut deforestation

Brazilian meat industry and government representatives have defended the country’s efforts to reduce deforestation, regretting the “misinformation” spread by the European media.