Brazil seeks easing of Indonesian beef restrictions

The Brazilian government is calling on Indonesia to loosen policies on beef imports to allow its beef to enter the market, which has been long-dominated by Australian exporters.

Russia set to enter beef export market

Miratorg Agribusiness Holding, Russia’s largest pork and animal-feed producer, has announced plans to increase the country’s beef production capacity.

US sees biggest food price rises for beef and veal

Beef and veal has experienced the greatest price rise of all foods in the US between 2010-2011, according to the latest figures from the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

Brussels mulls electronic organic meat import controls

The European Commission has revealed plans to introduce a European Union (EU)-wide electronic import control system for certified organic meat (and other food) products – because the current paper-based system is too slow.

Australian pork producers aim to cut carbon

A new bioenergy initiative has been launched in Australia, which will become a ‘one stop shop’ for Australian pork producers that are trying to substantially reduce their carbon footprint.

UK producers call for stability on lamb prices

UK sheep producers are calling for a show of support from processors and retailers to ensure stable prices for the coming season.

Russia tightens the veterinary legislation to fight salmonella in poultry

The Russian Parliament is in the final stages of discussing a stringent new law to fight against the spread of salmonella in poultry.

Intermeat attracts innovative exhibitors

Those looking for the latest innovations in the meat and sausage sector are being urged to attend InterMeat in Dusseldorf, Germany, later this year.

EU moves on CAP could benefit Scotland

Reform of the European CAP offers Scotland opportunities, but independence must be addressed, according to a Scottish MEP. 

Indian poultry market potential huge, report claims

The Indian poultry market is expected to grow at a rate of 8-10% per year as demand for processed chicken grows, according to the latest report from Rabobank.

Animal disease research gains £38m boost

The UK’s leading animal health research group has been given a £38m boost to help it maintain its status as a world-leading centre in the battle against livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth.

Trade relations between Russia and EU worsens

Denmark has announced a complete ban on exports of breeding pigs into Russian, Belarus and Kazakhstan after trade relations between Russia and the EU worsened.

International delegation for Beef Expo

International delegates flocked to the UK this week to see the best the country’s beef sector has to offer.

EU urged to implement welfare standards

Animal welfare activists are calling on the European Commission to adopt rules to protect the welfare of beef cattle across the union.

KFC faces scrutiny over packaging

Fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has come under fire from an environmentalists after allegedly using packaging materials from deforested areas of the Indonesian rainforest.

Hormel reports record earnings

US processor Hormel Foods has reported strong Q2 results for 2012, despite a 25% plummet in refrigerated food sales.

Pledge to increase responsible soy for livestock feed

The Roundtable for Responsible Soy (RTRS) has set an annual target to produce and distribute five million tonnes of responsibly grown soy by 2015.

USDA launches new online meat labelling procedure

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has introduced a new system that aims to expedite America’s review process for meat, poultry (and egg) product labels.

News in brief

Costs put pressure on Vion's margins

Dutch-based food and ingredients company Vion has reported disappointing results for 2011, with increased raw material prices putting heavy pressure on profit margins.

Russia to reach poultry self-sufficiency this year

The index of poultry meat production in Russia has hit the levels predicted by industry representatives for the first quarter of 2012, leading them to claim that the country will become self-sufficient in poultry meat this year.

UK body issues warning on supply chain

With global meat exports on the rise, greater co-operation and understanding throughout the UK supply chain is vital if the sector is to overcome the challenges of tightening supplies, according to the UK’s beef and lamb levy body Eblex.

Campaigners slam EU-US organic equivalency move

Farming campaigners have expressed concern at the news that the EU has recognised the US National Organic Programme as equivalent to its own.

UK’s NFU boss attacks GM wheat vandals

Anti-GM wheat attackers are the equivalent of Nazi book-burners, according to the president of the UK National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

Bacon, pork and sausages boost Cranswick

UK food producer Cranswick has reported strong underlying revenue growth after successfully recovering margins in the second half of the financial year.

Proposed pork facility to be Russia’s largest

Agro-industrial holding Bio-tone has announced plans to begin construction of a new multi-million pig farm and processing plant, which it claims will be the largest pork production complex in Russia.

Study linking red meat and memory loss criticised

Nutrition experts have hit back at a US study linking saturated fat consumption with a decline in memory capability.

News in brief

Hong Kong resumes Liaoning poultry imports

Hong Kong has resumed the import of poultry products from China’s north-eastern Liaoning Province after a 21-day ban, officials have announced.

UK signs £50m pork deal with China

The UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has agreed a £50m pork export deal with China during a delegation to the country.

NZ union concerned over meat inspection changes

The Public Service Association (PSA) of New Zealand has expressed concern over the government’s decision to delegate meat inspection to processors themselves.

BSE case could boost US beef exports to Russia

The re-emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the US could lead to a short-term increase in US beef exports to Russia, Russian analysts have said.

News in brief

Men think meat is virile, says study

Men associate meat with masculinity, making them less inclined to try vegetarian products such as soy, according to a new US study.

EU runs cloning consultation

The meat trade is being asked whether the European Union (EU) should loosen or tighten its rules on the use of cloned animals for meat production.

Cattle production greener when grass-based

Extensive, grass-fed cattle systems are more environmentally friendly than intensive, grain-based systems, according to a new study from the UK National Trust (NT).

Scotch Beef targets UAE

Scottish industry association Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is looking to promote the Scotch Beef brand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), now that the UK has received export certification from the Middle Eastern country.

Australia lifts abattoir welfare standards

The government of New South Wales (NSW) has announced measures to improve animal welfare at abattoirs after an undercover video exposing cruelty sparked controversy in February.

Canada denies legalisation of roadkill meat

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has denied allegations that proposed changes to the meat inspection rules would allow roadkill meat to be served to consumers.

Asian markets join forces against livestock disease

The governments of China, South Korea and Japan have vowed to work together to ensure effective livestock disease control across Asia.

News in brief

Denmark combats boar taint with genomic selection

Danish breeding company DanBred, is trying to reduce the risk of boar taint in pork through genomic selection, ahead of the 2018 implementation of the EU’s declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs.

Cherkizovo stops pig investments ahead of Russia’s WTO accession

Russian meat processing giant Cherkizovo has taken an “investment vacation” from pig projects, citing the sector’s uncertainty on the eve of Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Chicken leg duty could damage US-Mexico trade, says report

A Mexican duty on US chicken leg quarter imports would damage the US poultry industry and leave many Mexican consumers unable to afford to eat poultry, according to a new report by Dermot Hayes PhD, professor of Economics and Finance at Iowa State University.

News in brief

Slaughter line provider collaborates with water specialist

Dutch slaughter line supplier NAWI has signed a strategic co-operation contract with Nijhuis Warer Technology to provide efficient abattoir solutions to the international meat market.

Positive outlook for poultry markets

The global poultry sector is expected to benefit from positive market conditions and strong prices in the second quarter of 2012, a Rabobank report has revealed.

Cherkizovo teams up with Spanish firm for turkey production

Russian processing giant Cherkizovo has announced the launch of a turkey meat production joint venture with Spanish agribusiness Grupo Fuertes.

New Zealand opens doors to US pork

The US National Pork Producers’ Council (NPPC) has welcomed a decision by the New Zealand High Court to allow imports of consumer-ready uncooked pork from countries affected by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

EU lifting of Thai raw chicken ban to affect world trade

Brazil and Argentina will face increased competition on the international poultry market now that the EU has announced it would lift its bird flu-related ban on raw chicken from Thailand on 1 July 2012, a report has said.

News in brief

Plantic introduces green packaging

A US meat supplier has upped its commitment to the environment with the introduction of a new range of green packaging for its products.

News in brief

CEM presents near infrared alternative

A low-cost alternative to near infrared (NIR) analysis systems was on display at the AMI Expo in Dallas recently.

Stable pork prices expected for second half of 2012

The global pork trade is returning to a more normal situation after months of increased disease-related imports from Asia, according to a Rabobank report.

US industry denies ‘meat glue’ allegations

The American meat industry has hit back at claims that transglutaminase (TG), dubbed as ‘meat glue’, was used to form fake premium cuts from low-quality cuts, in an attempt to avoid a media scandal similar to the ‘pink slime’ controversy.

Feature

Brazilian beef: The China of Latin America?

The agricultural sector in Brazil remains critical to the overall economy per se at some 70% of GDP and employing around 30 million people.

Feature

2012 AD

Anaerobic digestion could bring benefits to the UK meat industry's environmental impact, but a lack of clear policy and funding on the issue are holding developments back. Melodie Michel reports

Feature

Soy: assessing the future for animal feed

When discussing meat's environmental impact, there is a tendency to focus on greenhouse gas emissions. But the production of soy for feed is also of major concern. Carina Perkins looks at the issues

News in brief

Sealed Air Cryovac promotes Quickrip range

Innovative new packaging concepts were on display on the Sealed Air Cryovac stand at the AMI Expo in Dallas last week.

News in brief

Kemin launches antimicrobial for ready-to-eat meat and poultry

US food safety company Kemin has launched a propionic acid-based antimicrobial to protect ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products from listeria.

Rusagro profits drop 53% in 2011

Russian agricultural giant Rusagro registered a 53% drop in net profits in 2011, to RUB2.42bn (US$81.2m).

US pork export value up 20%

US pork exports rose 8% in volume and 20% in value in the first quarter of 2012, reaching 598,058 tonnes (t) and US$1.66bn, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

CIS countries face FMD threat

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is actively spreading on countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), especially Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

UK trade still crucial to New Zealand

New Zealand’s ambassador in the UK has said that despite the growing importance of business with China, his country should maintain its trade with Britain. He is lobbying fellow New Zealanders to keep the China boom in perspective.

UK to introduce Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA)

The UK has confirmed the introduction of its Groceries Code Adjudicator, a legislative device meant to correct the power imbalance between farmers and supermarkets.

Russia becomes top Brazilian pork importer

Russia has reclaimed its place as the first importer of Brazilian pork, representing 29.15% of the country’s exports in April, according to the Brazilian Association of Pork Producers and Exporters (ABIPECS).

News in brief

BPI plant closures over ‘pink slime’ become permanent

US meat manufacturer Beef Products Inc (BPI) is closing down three of its plants permanently after a month of suspended production caused by the ‘pink slime’ scandal.

News in brief

English lamb promoted in Canada

English red meat industry body Eblex is promoting British lamb at Agrifood expo SIAL Canada in Montreal and Toronto this week.

Customs Union adopts harmonised meat policy

Countries of the Customs Union – Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus – have decided to create and follow a single policy on meat issues, meaning that import restrictions imposed by any of them on a third country will automatically be extended to the rest of the alliance.

European lamb production to increase in 2012

French agricultural research organisation Institut de l’Elevage (Idele) has forecast a 2% growth in EU lamb slaughterings in 2012, boosted by increased flock numbers in the UK and Ireland.

China and Bhutan deal with fresh bird flu outbreaks

The Chinese government is fighting to contain a fresh outbreak of avian flu virus H5N1 in central China farms, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Global meat production to rise 2% in 2012

World meat output is expected to grow 2% in 2012, boosted by higher poultry and pig meat production in developing countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has announced.

Safeway to phase out sow gestation crates

US supermarket giant Safeway has announced its intention to phase out gestation crates from its pork supply chain due to “animal welfare concerns”, a move encouraged by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Tyson reports increased profits

US meat processor Tyson Foods has registered a 3.7% rise in sales in the second quarter of 2012, despite “extremely challenging market conditions” in the beef segment.

AMI Expo

Technology crucial to meat sector’s future

The industry needs to get a backbone and fight its corner when it comes to using technology in meat and food production, delegates to the American Meat Institute (AMI) Expo were told.

Ukraine combats livestock crisis

Ukraine’s Ministry of Agriculture has set a target to reverse the current downward trend in livestock numbers as soon as possible, and to stabilise its meat production.

AMI Expo

Hawkins innovates to fight bacteria

Chemical specialist Hawkins was at the American Meat Institute (AMI) show in Dallas to demonstrate its latest developments in the fight against bacteria.

USDA stengthens E.coli controls

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new series of measures meant to protect consumers from E.coli infections.

AMI Expo

Meat industry needs to embrace social media

Social media is the future of communication and the meat industry needs to embrace it, delegates to the American Meat Institute (AMI) Expo were told.

New FMD strain threatens Middle East

A novel strain of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) discovered in Egypt and Libya in February has now spread to the Gaza Strip, putting Gulf countries at risk, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns.

Russian ban on EU pigs affects Estonian prices

The Russian ban on European pig imports forced Estonian producers to cut prices by 20% in April.

News in brief

Thomas Precision launches coated blades

Processing parts specialist Thomas Precision is hoping to expand further into the international market with the development of innovative coating technology.

UK government increases measures to combat bovine TB

The UK’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced further control measures, due to be implemented on 1 July 2012, to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England.

AMI Expo

Good communication essential for product recalls

Communication is key when it comes to a product recall, leading experts have told delegates to the American Meat Institute (AMI) Expo in Dallas.

UK quality scheme hits back at low welfare claims

UK quality scheme Red Tractor has hit back at a report that claimed its welfare standards were lower than most other assurances, calling it “prejudged” and “biased”.

Indonesia comes under fire over meat import licensing

The US Trade Representative (USTR) has joined forces with the European Union (EU) to press Indonesia to simplify its licensing for meat and livestock imports.

AMI deplores media ‘war’ against ‘pink slime’

The US meat industry is going on the offensive when it comes to the ‘pink slime’ furore, claiming the media were “waging war” on the sector.

Paraguayan exports to fall 18-34% in 2012

Meat exports from Paraguay are expected to fall between 18% and 34% in 2012, despite remaining the second most-exported product in the country, the Paraguayan statistics centre (CADEP) has announced.

French producers “strangled” by supermarkets

French meat producers are have called on their union to negotiate better prices with supermarkets, arguing that the rise in feed costs is not covered in their contracts.

CIWF worried about EU stall ban compliance

Animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has expressed concerns over member state compliance to the EU sow stall ban, as only 10 countries are expected to have made the transition by January 2013.