Russia set to lift Brazilian meat embargo

Russia is close to lifting a ban on imports of beef, pork and poultry from the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul.

Oman opens to Canadian cattle

Oman has opened its doors to live cattle imports from Canada in an agreement worth an estimated $900,000 annually to the Canadian livestock industry,

Australian meat trade looks for speedy resolution to Korea FTA

Australia’s meat industry has warned that it is now “critical” that the Australia-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations are concluded rapidly.

US pork industry hits back at bacteria claims

US pork producers have hit back against a report from advocacy group Consumers Union, which claimed that pork sold in US supermarkets contained frightening levels of harmful bacteria.

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Canadian meat safe, says CFIA

Canada's food safety officials have been forced to defend themselves over claims that they instructed inspectors to ignore safety controls for meat processed at XL Foods.

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Lamb production rises in New Zealand

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.

EEC reduces Belarus meat import quotas

Belarus has had its meat import quotas for 2013 reduced significantly by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which controls tariffs for the Customs Union.

Cherkizovo hit by rouble, despite strong sales

Russian meat processor Cherkizovo has recorded a healthy sales increase of 6% for the nine months of 2012, despite an underwhelming price performance in its red meat divisions, caused by the weakening of the rouble.  

Russia brings in temporary ban on German meat plants

Russia has imposed temporary restrictions on a number of German meat plants, warning it might ban all meat imports from the country if concerns over veterinary and sanitary standards are not urgently addressed.

Norway meat tariffs are protectionist, say MEPs

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

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Brazil and China in trade dialogue

Ministers from China and Brazil have met to discuss agricultural co-operation and trading between the two countries.

Zambeef turns in strong growth

African agri-business Zambeef has reported “robust” revenue growth over the past year, with a strong performance across its poultry, pork and beef divisions.

US demand boosts Australian boxed beef exports

Australian boxed beef exports are struggling in traditional key markets, but have been boosted by strong demand from the US, according to a new report from agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

Russia claims EU deception over bluetongue

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.

Australian cattle in BJD outbreak

Beef farmers in the Australian state of Queensland have expressed concern after cattle on a farm in the region tested positive for Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD).

Canadian meat firm’s licence suspended

A Canadian meat packer at the centre of the latest listeria monocytogenes recall has had its licence suspended by food safety officials.

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New Zealand divided over pork imports

New Zealand’s pork industry is fighting a proposal to allow fresh pork to be imported from countries where Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is present.

Cherkizovo grows processed meats production

Russian processing giant Cherkizovo Group has extended its ham and deli operations in Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

Russia lifts ban on British meat

Russia has lifted its 26-year ban on British beef and lamb, with exports expected to commence within months.

Northern Irish firm clinches Dutch deal

A northern Irish company has won a £1.2m contract to supply a premium bacon range to a major supermarket chain in the Netherlands.

McDonald’s sees leadership change in US

The president of McDonald’s USA is to step down next month after 35 years of working for the burger giant.

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Jobs lost as Cargill streamlines transport

Fifty jobs have been lost at a Canadian beef factory after owner Cargill decided to switch its transport operations to an external contractor.

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California slaughterhouse pays out over fraud claims

The owners of a disgraced California slaughterhouse have agreed to pay over $300,000 to settle a landmark fraud lawsuit launched by animal welfare campaigners.

US meat industry questions new listeria guidelines

The US meat industry has expressed concerns over new Listeria control guidelines released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Australian bird flu outbreak leads to import bans

A number of countries have banned poultry products from Australia over bird flu fears despite claims from the country’s authorities that the latest outbreak has been “successfully controlled”.

Malta sees Q3 fall in meat production

Malta has seen a decline in meat production and producer value in the third quarter of this year.

USMEF elects committee representatives

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has elected three new sector representatives to its committee.

Anger as US refuses to waive corn ethanol mandate

The US livestock industry has slammed a government decision not to waive the mandate on corn ethanol production, warning that the policy would cause food costs to soar in coming months.

US poultry welcomes step towards normal trade with Russia

US poultry producers have praised the House of Representatives for voting to repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment and establish permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and Moldova.

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Australian meat body reveals board elections

Two new members have been elected to the board of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), while two others have been re-elected, following the organisation’s annual general meeting.

£12m grant for livestock and poultry disease research

A UK research council has granted £12m in funding to research projects aimed at reducing the impact of some of the world’s most virulent livestock and poultry diseases.

Russians to impose fat tax on meat

Russian authorities are to consider imposing an additional tax on “unhealthy” meat producers. The tax forms part of a proposal by the National Union of Consumers’ Rights Protection to Russia’s Ministry of Finance and is aimed at tackling high-fat products, as well as the use of antibiotics in meat production.

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Australian pork body adds to board members

The Pork Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has appointed two new members to its board of directors for High Integrity Australian Pork at its annual general meeting in Melbourne.

Japan expected to loosen beef import rules in 2013

The Japanes government has signalled that it will relax its rules on beef imports in the early part of 2013.

Hong Kong beef reception marks historic deal with Britain

Meat industry officials and journalists in Hong Kong were treated to a spectacular beef reception last week to honour an historic agreement made between Hong Kong and Britain earlier this year.

Vion announces sale of UK operations

The UK’s largest meat producer Vion UK has announced it is to sell off its UK operations to focus on business in Europe.

National Pork Board approves promotional funding

In a bid to help struggling pork producers, the USA’s National Pork Board (NPB) has approved additional funding to promote the sector.

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Bird flu hits Australia

The outbreak of Avian Flu H7 has been confirmed in Australia.

CAP central to Ireland, says Minister

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding is still at the centre of the Irish Government’s stance in the seven-year EU budget, said Irish Minister Simon Coveney.

EC to research stunning information on meat labels

The European Commission (EC) will launch a study next year to ask consumers whether they would like meat labels to contain information about stunning methods used before the animal was slaughtered, said Denis Simonin, animal welfare chief at the health and consumer directorate general.

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Major financial growth predicted for Zambeef

One of the largest Zambian agri-businesses will publish its full year 2012 results later this month, showing growth of more than 100%.

Cherkizovo focuses on pork production in Eastern Russia

Russian regional leaders are in talks to create a major livestock facility in the eastern regions of Russia after visiting Cherkizovo pork operation.

Pressure calls for ban on antibiotics in poultry

A call for a UK ban on the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in poultry production has been made by the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics (ASOA).

EU meat production support could face budget axe, officials warn

European Commission officials have warned that the European Union’s (EU) annual €140m meat and livestock market intervention budget is facing deep cuts.

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Australia beef campaign counters Crocodile Dundee image

A new campaign has been launched to tell the world that Australians like to throw beef, not shrimps, on the barbie.

Japan highlights beef safety in exports push

The Japanese government has launched a diplomatic campaign to boost beef exports by securing international recognition for its beef as having “negligible risk” of BSE.

Welsh embark on red meat mission to China

Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has sent a trade delegation to the Far East to open up important trade for the Welsh lamb and beef sectors.

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Australia sees beef exports to China soar

Australia’s red meat exports to China saw huge increases last month, with record volumes for both beef and sheepmeat.

Canadian meat takes centre stage at Chinese show

Canada will pursue trade opportunities in China by showcasing products at the 16th Food and Hotel China (FHC) exhibition in Shanghai, the country’s agriculture ministers have announced.

Upturn in Irish grocery market

The grocery market in Ireland has seen growth for the first time since April, according to figures released by Kantar Worldpanel. The data showed supermarket share figures in Ireland for the 12 weeks ending 28 October to have increased by 0.1%.

US poultry products suffer Kazakh import quota delays

Delays to the setting of poultry import quotas in Kazakhstan are forcing US products out of the market and benefiting Russian competitors, according to US industry representatives.

US meat exports: value up, but volumes slow

US meat exports volumes remained sluggish in September, but an increase in value meant that revenues for the third quarter remained ahead of last year’s record figures, according to USDA statistics.

Bankruptcies hit Russian poultry trade

The Russian poultry sector has been hit by a wave of bankruptcies, affecting even the largest producers in the country.

Pork boosts Brazil’s meat exports

Brazil’s agricultural exports hit record levels last month, with meat exports boosted by further recovery in the country’s pork trade.

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JBS buys up Brazilian chicken firm

JBS SA has announced the acquisition of Brazilian specialist chicken processor Agroveneto. The company said the deal was valued at approximately R$128m and was subject to approval by the authorities and the company’s board of directors.

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US beef tongue recall

A US company has recalled beef tongue products over fears that the animal’s tonsils were not completely removed.

Cargill invests in Mozambique farming project

Meat processing company Cargill has announced a massive three-year partnership, in which it will invest US$1.35m, to expand farming in northern Mozambique.

Australian Greens ramp up live export pressure

The Australian Greens have increased pressure on the government to end live exports, publishing a five-point plan for ending the trade and establishing a robust domestic meat processing sector.

US poultry trade urges action on Russian relations

The US poultry industry has joined calls for the government to act fast to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia.

Canada sets sights on priority export markets

Canada has increased trade opportunities for meat processors by focusing on 10 priority markets, according to a new report from the Harper government.

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PGI protection for European meat products

The European Commission has granted legal protection to speciality Portuguese goat and sheep meat and a Slovene pork product. This prevents meat traders using their names in marketing unless these products are made in their home area by traditional production.

EU call to clamp down on livestock antibiotics

A motion from the European Parliament’s health committee has called on the European Commission to introduce tough new controls, restricting the availability of new third- and fourth-generation antibiotics to the livestock sector.

McDonald’s reports first sales slump in almost 10 years

Global burger giant McDonald’s has released global comparable sales figures for the month ending October 2012, which show a 1.8% slump in business.

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Danish clamp down on antimicrobials

Danish Parliament has ratified an agreement on new and strict rules around the use of antimicrobials in animal production and welfare.

Ukraine increases poultry exports

In September, the volume of Ukraine’s poultry exports exceeded the volume of its imports for the first time since it gained independence 21 years ago.

New concerns over UK live exports

UK animal welfare organisation the RSPCA has raised fresh concerns over the conditions of animals being exported from Ramsgate port.

EFSA event marks 10th anniversary

Hundreds of the world’s leading food safety experts gathered in Parma earlier this week to attend a two-day food safety event.

Canada food safety revamp approved by agriculture committee

A dramatic overhaul of Canada’s food safety system is nearing final approval by policy-makers. The Safe Foods for Canada Act has been passed by the country’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Foods and will now be passed back to the House of Commons for a third reading

Scots take trade mission to Asia

Scottish meat companies are taking part in a trade mission in a bid to further their interests into the Japanese and Chinese markets.

Carrefour Belgium tightens welfare requirements

Carrefour Belgium is tightening its animal welfare requirements for suppliers – banning all meat from castrated pigs and animals slaughtered without prior stunning.

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Australia denies Egyptian cattle mutilation

Australia’s Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has insisted that cattle exported to Egypt will not have their ears cut off before slaughter.

UK to introduce country-of-origin labelling on meat products

The UK government has today (7 November) announced plans to introduce country-of-origin labelling on meat products.

Analysis

Food and Climate: are fundamental changes to agriculture needed?

New analysis from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)’s Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme has warned that emissions from agriculture are higher than first thought. CCAFS has been examining the role between food production and agriculture, and found that feeding the world produces up to 17,000 megatonnes (mt) of CO2 each year. It says there needs to be some fundamental changes in the way that crops are grown and livestock is produced if the world is to avoid climate disaster.

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Maple Leaf acquires major hog business

Canadian processor Maple Leaf Foods has announced the multi-million-dollar acquisition of a major hog production company.

Australia urged to end live exports

Pressure is growing on the Australian government to ban live exports, after footage of the slaughter of thousands of Australian sheep in Pakistan was screened on television.

Russian pig investment undeterred by WTO accession

Russia’s accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its impact on the pork market will not stop the country’s major agricultural holdings from investing in huge pig production projects, according to experts.

EU reclassifies low import duty regime for beef importers

The European Commission has confirmed that key beef exporters Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay will be excluded from the European Union’s future GSP low import duty regime for emerging markets, as they are now too rich to benefit.

Customs Union simplifies meat product classification

The Customs Union is introducing new simplified classifications for meat products, which analysts warn will decrease the quality of meat production in the region.

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Bird flu hits Indian government poultry agency

The Indian government agency charged with the development of the national poultry sector has been hit by an outbreak of bird flu on one of its turkey farms, the Office International des Épizooties (OIE), the world animal health organisation has said.

Marel shows how with international event

Processors from around the world were given an exclusive insight into the latest technology on offer from leading machinery supplier Marel recently.

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Indonesia predicts beef supply shortage

Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture has predicted that the shortage of beef supply in 2013 will reach 14%  or 75,000 tonnes (t) of the total demand for beef, which amounts to 535,000t.

Farmers unions reject Cypriot CAP proposals

European farming unions have rejected proposals by the new Cypriot presidency of the European Commissions to cut €50bn from the initial proposal on the CAP budget 2014-2020.

Russian prisoners fed contaminated pork

A scandal has erupted in Russia over the revelation that prisoners were fed pork contaminated with African swine fever.

Rapid E.coli detection developed by US firm

US biotechnology company Life Technologies has developed a new E.coli detection system, which it claims dramatically reduces testing times for detection of multiple strains of the deadly bug in raw beef.

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Australian beef set to grow in line with Asian demand

A significant increase in the amount of beef produced by Australia to supply the burgeoning Asian market is predicted in a new Australian Government White Paper.

Canadian beef producers welcome resumption of work at XL Foods

Canadian beef producers have welcomed the resumption of work at the XL Foods Inc Lakeside plant, which had been closed in September, following an E.coli outbreak.

Customs Union imposes more import restrictions

The Customs Union has restricted the import of poultry from the Indian province Karnataka, and banned imports of ruminants from Austria.

Rescue plan for Canada's pig sector

The Canadian government and the country’s meat industry have announced a joint action plan to enable hard-pressed pig farmers survive a perfect storm of low prices, high feed costs and trade problems, including the strong Canadian dollar.

Maple Leaf’s meats move back towards profit

Maple Leaf Foods saw a return to operating profit in Q3 2012, with a drop in pig business profits offset by a strong performance in prepared meats and fresh poultry.

News in brief

Kazakhstan moves to stem anthrax outbreak

The Kazakhstan government has launched a vaccination campaign in the south-east of the country, after an anthrax outbreak was confirmed in cattle.

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Ireland discovers first case of Schmallenberg virus

The Irish government has confirmed the first case of the Schmallenberg virus in the south of Ireland, after tests by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory found the virus in samples from a bovine foetus from a farm in Cork.

OSI develops €25m beef plant in Poland

McDonald's supplier OSI Food Solutions has begun construction of a multi-million-euro beef processing facility in Poland.

Miratorg invests in Russian retail chain

One of Russia’s largest meat producers, Miratorg, has announced plans to create its own retail chain to sell its meat in major Russian cities.

Brazil gives foot-and-mouth disease reassurance

Brazilian agriculture officials have assured that the relaxation of foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations in the country’s north-eastern states will not prevent the region from becoming recognised as FMD-free next year.