Meat

Audit slates Spanish slaughterhouse conditions

Audit slates Spanish slaughterhouse conditions

By Arabella Mileham

Spanish slaughterhouses have been criticised for poor animal welfare standards, after an audit carried out by the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office found that four out of seven slaughterhouses did not meet requirements.

FAO campaigns against fraudulent farm drugs

FAO campaigns against fraudulent farm drugs

By Melodie Michel

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is campaigning for a pharmaceutical standard on Animal African Trypanosomosis drugs to be implemented in regions affected by the fatal livestock disease.

Poor profitability affects EU pig herd

Poor profitability affects EU pig herd

By Melodie Michel

High production costs and stringent sow stall legislation have discouraged many pig producers in the European Union (EU), according to a UK Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) market survey.

UK becomes net lamb exporter

UK becomes net lamb exporter

By Ed Bedington

Latest statistics have shown the UK is now a net exporter of lamb. According to the data from beef and sheep levy body Eblex, sheep meat exports from the UK climbed by 11% in 2011, reaching 98,500t.

‘Brainless chicken’ suggestion under fire

‘Brainless chicken’ suggestion under fire

By Melodie Michel

A suggestion to remove parts of chicken brains so they become unaware of their living conditions on intensive farms has come under attack from animal welfare organisations.

UK and Italy join forces against CAP reform

UK and Italy join forces against CAP reform

By Melodie Michel

The National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU) and Italy’s Confederazione Nazionale Coldiretti are working together to ensure the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform benefit farmers in both countries.

Botswana hopes to lift EU beef export ban

Botswana hopes to lift EU beef export ban

By Andrew Maramwidze, in Gabarone

The Botswana government claims it is fulfilling demands made by the European Union (EU) to improve livestock disease controls in the face of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, and hopes an EU beef import ban will soon be lifted.

Concerns over GM animals in the EU

Concerns over GM animals in the EU

By Melodie Michel

A group of organisations have expressed concern about the possible introduction of genetically modified (GM) animals in the European Union (EU), after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released guidance for applicants.

UK-South Africa trade to resume

UK-South Africa trade to resume

By Melodie Michel

UK red meat exporters are in talks with South African companies to resume trade between the two countries after a 15-year ban was lifted in May 2011.

Questions raised over antibiotics study

Questions raised over antibiotics study

By Carina Perkins

An American animal welfare organisation has dismissed a UK study on the link between farm antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic-resistant disease in humans as “misleading” and “highly irresponsible”.

Spring likely to see Schmallenberg spread further

Spring likely to see Schmallenberg spread further

By Melodie Michel

The Schmallenberg virus (SBV), recently observed in ruminants, is likely to spread to other European countries when temperatures get warmer, according to the European Food safety Authority (EFSA).

Holstein Ham gets EU protection

Holstein Ham gets EU protection

By Keith Nuthall

The European Commission has granted legal protection to a ham from the northern German state Schleswig-Holstein, preventing meat traders from selling ‘Holsteiner Katenschinken’ unless it is made in its home area by traditional production.

UK cattle supply on a downward trend

UK cattle supply on a downward trend

By Melodie Michel

UK cattle slaughterings dropped by 6% in the second half of 2011, mainly due to a reduction in young bull kill, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has announced.

Industry rejects EU decision on labelling

Industry rejects EU decision on labelling

By Melodie Michel

The European meat industry has criticised a decision by the European Parliament not to introduce food labelling that would display percentages of cuts in salt, fat and sugar.

EFSA to publish report on Schmallenberg

EFSA to publish report on Schmallenberg

By Melodie Michel

The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide a scientific assessment of the risks related to the Schmallenberg virus.

Dutch urge joint response to Schmallenberg virus

Dutch urge joint response to Schmallenberg virus

By MJ Deschamps

The Dutch government is pressing for a co-ordinated European Union (EU) response to fighting the Schmallenberg virus, a damaging disease spreading rapidly among livestock across Europe.

UK poultry sector ‘under-performing’

UK poultry sector ‘under-performing’

By Melodie Michel

The UK poultry sector needs to focus on consolidation, efficiency and internationalisation to maintain its competitiveness on the EU market, a new report has suggested.

John Giles is a divisional director with Promar International

Overview of the world poultry sector and the role of Thailand

By John Giles, Promar International

Global broiler production has increased by 37% between 2002 to 2011. Production increased from 59m tonnes in 2002 to 81m tonnes in the main producing countries in 2011. Total world production could however be up to 100m tonnes per annum based on latest...

Welsh anticipate USA opening for lamb exports

Welsh anticipate USA opening for lamb exports

By Arabella Mileham

The Welsh meat industry has claimed that it is only a matter of time before the USA lifts its restrictions and allows exports of red meat from the EU.

Brazilian beef exports to recover in 2012

Brazilian beef exports to recover in 2012

By Melodie Michel

Beef exporters have the potential to increase their revenue by 10% to over $6bn in 2012, the Brazilian Association of Meat Export Industries (Abiec) has announced.

UK processors question publication of inspection data

UK processors question publication of inspection data

By Arabella Mileham

The organisation which regulates and enforces food safety and public health across the UK has caused controversy by publishing the first round of audits of approved slaughterhouses and cutting plants, as well as a list of establishments which it deems...

EU in talks to lift Thai chicken ban

EU in talks to lift Thai chicken ban

By Melodie Michel

The European Commission (EC) is in discussion with Thailand to potentially lift the ban on fresh chicken at the end of June 2012, after eight years of suspended trade.

French pork processors call for change

French pork processors call for change

By Melodie Michel

The French union for pork processors (SNIV-SNCP) has called for a reform of the pig industry to maintain the country’s competitiveness on the European market.

OIE director Bernard Vallat

OIE likely to ban growth-promoting antibiotics

By Melodie Michel

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is likely to ban the prophylactic use of antibiotics on livestock in the next few years, OIE director Bernard Vallat has said.

EU sets out new animal welfare strategy

EU sets out new animal welfare strategy

By Arabella Mileham

The European Union (EU) is launching a new strategy for animal welfare, as it says the current uniform approach has caused varying levels of compliance across member states that has not guaranteed the real welfare of animals, and has caused economic and...

French beef production to drop by 5% in 2012

French beef production to drop by 5% in 2012

By Melodie Michel

French beef and veal production is expected to go down by 5% in 2012, following two years of increase, the Institut de l’Elevage (livestock institute) has revealed.

Food exports help Ireland’s economy

Food exports help Ireland’s economy

By Ann Marie Foley

Agri-food’s role in getting Ireland out of its economic crisis received a boost, as food exports grew at three times the rate of total merchandise exports in the first nine months of 2011.

SAC Dr Alan Renwick presenting the report at the Oxford Farming Conference

World agricultural power in the balance

By Melodie Michel

Power in the world’s meat market is expected to stay concentrated in Europe and North America despite growing pressure from emerging economies, a new report shows.

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