Northern Ireland government urges poultry registration

The government of Northern Ireland is urging all poultry farmers and people with backyard flocks to register with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) as a biosecurity measure to protect flocks from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
DARD Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Perpetua McNamee said strong biosecurity is needed as avian influenza (AI) hit the U.K. in late 2014 and 2015.
“As we approach autumn and with the arrival of  increased numbers of  migrating birds, I advise bird keepers to remain vigilant and continue to practice high standards of  biosecurity on their premises. AI can be spread to domestic birds through contact with infected wild birds. Contact may be direct or indirect through fecal contamination of anything that may come into contact with domestic birds such as feed, water, utensils or clothing. The risk of disease spread can therefore be reduced by minimizing contact with wild birds. These measures all help to mitigate the risk of a disease outbreak in local poultry flocks,” said McNamee.
"Bird keepers should contact their private veterinary practitioner if they detect signs of disease in their birds. AI is a notifiable disease and must be reported as soon as possible to the local Divisional Veterinary Office.”
Indoor caged pet birds are exempt from registration.
Registration forms can be found on the DARD website.

Ireland launches US$19 million pig, poultry scheme

Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has announced the opening of a new EUR17 million (US$19 million) scheme for pig and poultry investments.
Speaking on August 13, Coveney said, “I am delighted to launch the new Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. This investment … reflects my department’s ongoing commitment to the growth potential of this important sector and to the modernization of farming in Ireland. I hope that pig and poultry farmers will look very seriously at the opportunities offered by this new scheme.”
A total of EUR395 million (US$441 million) has been made available for TAMS II schemes over the course of the RDP period, with some EUR17 million earmarked for the pig and poultry sector.  The new scheme is being co-funded by the European Union.
The areas of investment available include:  medicine dispenser units, water meters, solar panels, heat recovery units/heat pumps, energy efficient boilers, feed system upgrades (for medication reduction and energy efficiency), energy efficient upgrade for farrowing house, weaner housing, fattener housing, poultry houses and disease reduction facilities for existing poultry houses.
The scheme is open to all farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of 40 percent on investment up to a ceiling of EUR80,000 (US$89,240). The first tranche of applications will run for three months, closing around the end of October.
All applications must be made online, either by the farmer or an adviser authorized to act on his or her behalf.  Applications can be made under agfood.ie by registered users of the department’s website

Irish poultry producers to benefit from knowledge transfer

Poultry producers in the Republic of Ireland are to benefit from a new knowledge transfer program, the country’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced.
Poultry farmers who participate in the scheme will be required to collaborate with a facilitator in developing a Farm Improvement Plan, involving the completion of a profit monitor, a carbon navigator, a flock health plan and a breeding plan. Additionally, each farmer will be required to attend five Knowledge Exchange Group meetings annually to share best practice and knowledge.
The department is currently developing a new Agri-Food Strategy up to 2025, setting out key requirements to maximize the contribution agriculture makes to economic growth.
The poultry industry, which was worth EUR175 million (US$218 million) in 2013, has faced considerable challenges with rising input costs and significant pressure from low cost imports. Its share of gross agricultural output has declined and now stands at a little over 2 percent.
Exports, however, have been growing over recent years, and the department believes that more could be made of export opportunities, particularly for products such as feet and cuts which are not in demand domestically. 

Irish ag minister orders hotline to inform about Russian bans

The Irish government is setting up an advice line to provide the most updated information available concerning Russia’s ban on agricultural products from countries that had imposed economic sanctions on Russia as a result of the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The trade restrictions came as a result of a decree signed August 6 by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“My department [is] currently working to clarify the specific details of the ban. The impact on Ireland will depend both on the products covered by the ban and any knock-on effects on international market prices as banned products seek replacement markets,” stated Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney.
“To assist companies exporting to Russia, I have asked Bord Bia to establish an advice line, which will make the most up-to-date information available to these companies.”
Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, will assist companies with regard to the trading situation with Russia and help in progressing such opportunities. The dedicated unit may be contacted by calling +01.6142.292.
While work is continuing to determine exactly what products are covered by the ban, Coveney noted that initial indications were that casein, infant formula and tea extract are not being banned. Russia's ban, as announced, will last one year and will cover imports into Russia of meat, fish, milk and milk products, fruit and vegetables from the European Union. Other countries affected include the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.
“My department will maintain an ongoing assessment of the situation, where intensive engagement is already ongoing with Russian authorities regarding agri-trade issues including temporary restrictions already in place on certain exports in specific sectors,” the minister concluded.

Moy Park Northern Ireland broiler expansion progressing

At least 250 new poultry houses are due to be completed in Northern Ireland by the end of 2015 as part of the Moy Park expansion program, launched at the end of last year.
Approximately 90 houses have already been built or are nearing completion, with a number already having their first flocks through.
Moy Park embarked on its broiler expansion program as part of the business’s plan to grow its fresh, locally farmed chicken supply for its UK and Ireland customers. The plans include a recently announced GBP170 million (US$288 million) investment in its business and the creation of 628 jobs in Northern Ireland.
Alan Gibson, Moy Park director, commented: “This expansion is in response to what we believe is a long term demand from both retailers and consumers for fresh, locally sourced poultry. We currently work with 800 of the very best poultry farmers and we are pleased with the response we’ve had to our call for growers in Northern Ireland to expand their production.”
Moy Park is keen to work with both existing poultry growers and suitable new farmers locally. The company is inviting those interested to come forward to find out how they could qualify for the program to build new broiler and breeder houses.

Moy Park expanding at three Northern Ireland locations

Moy Park, a Northern Ireland-based poultry and food company, is planning a GBP170 million (US$291 million) expansion that will provide 628 new jobs across three sites. The Moy Park expansion, impacting the company's locations in Dungannon, Craigavon and Ballymena, was announced July 7 by Northern Ireland Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Moy Park CEO Janet McCollum.
The investment by Moy Park, part of the Marfrig Group, will include additional processing lines and the establishment of an innovation center, which will drive new product development, as well as a financial services office - a new role for the Craigavon site. The new jobs, 100 of which are already in place, include roles in management, supervisory, processing and financial shared services.
“This investment, which will mean a GBP10.5 million (US$18 million) increase in wages and salaries annually for the local economy, is a huge boost of confidence in Northern Ireland as a European food production and manufacturing center of excellence by a world-leading company,” said Foster. “The expansion will further enhance Moy Park’s contribution to the local economy by enabling the business to achieve a substantial growth in sales, mostly to customers outside Northern Ireland, by 2018.” 
Foster added: “We have been able to demonstrate to international investors like Marfrig that we will work with them to ensure Northern Ireland is the right European location to successfully grow their business.”
Invest Northern Ireland is providing financial assistance of GBP9.5 million (US$16.3 million) towards the expansion.
Marfrig Global Foods CEO, Sergio Rial said: “We are committed to growing our operations in Northern Ireland and this investment, with support from Invest Northern Ireland, helps us to achieve that. We have had ongoing, positive engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive and have experienced a very pro-business attitude.”
Speaking on what this investment will mean for Moy Park, McCollum said: “Moy Park started as a small farming company in 1943 and has grown into a top UK business with a GBP1.5 billion (US$2.6 billion) turnover. We continue to have big ambitions and this investment will allow us to further grow our operations and create new jobs in Northern Ireland.”

Ireland's 2013 poultry production higher, exports strengthen

Poultry production in the Republic of Ireland is thought to have grown slightly in 2013 to stand at 127,000 tons, figures from the European Commission suggest. While turkey production declined, and duck remained stable, this was offset by higher broiler output.
Retail sales of fresh chicken in the country over the 52 weeks to November 10^th, however, are recorded as being 3 percent lower.
The Irish food board, Bord Bia, notes that while a competitive market continued for poultry in 2013, poultry exports saw an improvement in prices and volumes.

Poultry exports up
Poultry exports grew by 4 percent over the year to reach EUR220 million (USD299 million). The sector's performance was ahead of that for pig meat, but lagged behind that of beef, which saw exports rise by 10 percent. Overall, Ireland's meat and livestock exports are thought to have grown by 8 percent in 2013.
The UK remains the largest export destination for Irish food and drink exports, accounting for 42 percent of the total, but for the poultry industry its importance is even greater. For chicken exports, the value of trade was largely unchanged in 2013, as stronger exports of processed poultry helped offset lower fresh and frozen volumes. Exports of poultry meat to the UK for the year were estimated at Euro 190 million, some 83 percent of the total.
Looking to 2014, Bord Bia notes that the prospects for meat and livestock remain broadly positive, with relatively tight supplies for most species and strong global prices. 

Moy Park reports strong upturn in 2012 profits

Northern Ireland-based poultry producer Moy Park recorded profits of £24.4 million (US$38.1 million) in 2012, up from £4.8 million (US$7.5 million) in 2011.
Moy Park CEO Nigel Dunlop said: "Despite a difficult economic and trading environment, Moy Park delivered a strong trading performance in 2012. The business grew its turnover by 1.6 percent to £1.09 billion (US$1.7 billion) and has posted profits of almost £25 million (US$39 million).
"The improvement in pre-tax profit and trading margins was achieved by a combination of initiatives including operating cost improvements and productivity initiatives, which helped shield the business from the difficult market environment."

Top Northern Irish company
In a survey of the sales performance of Northern Ireland's top 100 companies conducted by Dun and Bradstreet for Ulster Business, Moy Park topped the list for the second year running.
Dunlop commented: "To be named number one company in Ulster Business' Top 100 for the second time is a great accolade for everyone in the business. Moy Park is celebrating its 70th anniversary [in 2013], and we remain committed to growing our business both within and from Northern Ireland."
The Moy Park Group employs over 10,500 people across 11 processing facilities across the UK and France, and it is part of the Brazilian Marfrig Group. 

Cappoquin Chickens business saved by joint investment

Ireland's Cappoquin Chickens will remain in business after High Court approval of a group of investors in partnership with Cappoquin Poultry Producers Co-op acquiring the business. The creditors will invest €650,000 to acquire Cappoquin Chickens, a move which is expected to save roughly 70 of 140 jobs, according to reports.
"There is a substantial market in the UK and Irish food service sectors and in the butcher trade for high quality Irish poultry products offering value and traceability," said Dr. Sean Brady, newly appointed chairman of Cappoquin Poultry Holdings Ltd. "The Cappoquin business, now under new ownership, will drive forward with determination to service these markets and to grow the business to its full potential. The processing facility in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, can process up to 11 million chickens a year. It also produces chicken in accordance with Halal regulations, respectful of the Islamic faith. We aim to significantly expand the export of Halal processed chicken into the UK and Europe, where there is substantial export opportunity, with many retail multiples in the larger cities and towns stocking Halal produced meats."
While the company's current situation necessitates temporary layoffs, Cappoquin's new managing director, Raymond O'Hanlon, said he hopes the company is soon in a position to re-build employee numbers. "We believe that by strengthening our sales/marketing function and by streamlining the business, we can create a solid foundation which will allow us to consolidate our position in both the Irish and British markets, and to grow new export opportunities in continental Europe," said O'Hanlon.