UK supermarkets endorse country-of-origin labeling for pork products

Britain’s major supermarket chains have endorsed a voluntary code that will provide clear information about country of origin on packs of pork, bacon and ham.
The companies that have already committed to the code include Asda, Baxter Storey, Marks and Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Tesco, The Co-operative, Waitrose and Whitbread.
Launched by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn at the National Farmers Union Conference on February 23, the latest move has been welcomed by British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston, who said, "Clear labeling is great news for everyone in the supply chain … benefiting both the producer and the processor."

USDA ends National Animal Identification System

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will end the National Animal Identification System, the voluntary program intended to help the government respond to disease outbreaks in livestock, The New York Times reported.
Agriculture officials told the newspaper they would work with the livestock industry to develop a new program tracking only those animals that are transported between across state borders. They added that states may implement their own animal identification programs.
The national system has been in place since 2004, but just 40% of livestock producers participated in it. Detractors cited high equipment costs for tracing livestock, burdensome amounts of reporting, and fears that the government could use the information inappropriately to monitor business practices or income.

Poultry, egg industries urge registration of farms

The National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and United Egg Producers (UEP) are urging farmers to register their premises with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to help protect their poultry producers in the event of an outbreak of disease.
Working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the trade associations for poultry and eggs have developed and are distributing a brochure, “First Steps: Register Your Premises,” which encourages growers to register their farms.
The brochure is being distributed to the membership of all three associations. While registration is voluntary in most states, NTF, NCC and UEP encourage poultry growers and egg producers to register their premises to assist state governments and first responders in reacting to a disease problem.
“We urge all broiler growers to register their premises with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS),” said NCC President George Watts. “Getting registered means chicken producers will be informed promptly if there is a serious animal disease outbreak in the vicinity. This will help protect the flock and the grower’s livelihood.”
“NTF members recognize the importance of registering turkey production premises and encourage all growers to register their production sites with their respective state premises registration systems,” said NTF President Joel Brandenberger.
The UEP board of directors supports premises registration for egg production facilities. UEP encourages producers to register their premises under NAIS through state agencies and poultry associations working with USDA.
UEP President and CEO Gene Gregory said, “Egg producers have worked hard to prevent an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the nation’s layer flock. At the same time, they have spent vast resources in preparing for such an outbreak anywhere in the United States.
The ability to assess vulnerability to egg layer sites or other poultry farms and contain quickly any outbreak depends on readily available and accurate premises information.”Poultry growers and egg layers can obtain a copy of the brochure by contacting NCC, NTF or UEP.