France confirms another 15 avian flu outbreaks

France has so far recorded a total of 30 outbreaks of avian influenza (AI), according to the country’s agriculture ministry – an increase of 15 new cases since a previous report just two days ago.
The same five regions (departments) in the south-west of the country west are affected: Dordogne (total of 11 outbreaks), Landes (13), Haute-Vienne (1), Gers (3) and Pyrénées Atlantiques (2).
Details of the latest outbreaks are understandably sketchy. In Dordogne, there were 2 new outbreaks in Campagnac-les-Querc and one in Saint Armand de Coly.
In Landes, the virus has been detected in three cases when birds were tested prior to slaughter in the districts of Saint Etienne d'Orthe, Bergouey and Monségur. There were also 6 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Momuy, Saint-Cricq-Chalosse, Montaut, Gaujacq, Serreslous-et-Arribans and Hauriet.
HPAI of the H5 variant has been detected at 2 new locations in the department of Gers: in ducks prior to slaughter in Panjas and in a flock of 2,000 guinea fowl and ducks in Mirande, which showed characteristic symptoms of the disease.
A second outbreak has occurred in Pyrénées Atlantiques, where a flock of 1,240 ducks has been affected.
Tests are on-going to determine the virus subtype and pathogenicity in each outbreak.
According to Thomson Reuters, a new subtype of the AI virus – H5N3 – has been detected at 3 locations in France (2 in Landes and 1 in Pyrénées Atlantiques) during enhanced surveillance. It is reportedly a low-pathogenic form. With the presence of H5N1, H5N2 and H5N9 already confirmed, the latest revelation would mean that 4 different subtypes of the AI virus are circulating in France at the present time.

Export restrictions as France battles avian influenza

Following the discovery of the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Dordogne region of southwest France recently, disease control measures were put in place. As a result of increased surveillance, the French agriculture ministry announced on November 30 that two more cases of the disease had been detected in the same region.  More than 1 subtype of the virus has been identified, according to a statement on December 3.
H5N1 was confirmed at the first outbreak - the result of mutation of the low-pathogenic form of European origin into a highly pathogenic form - but H5N2 was detected at the second farm and testing from the third outbreak is still in progress.The second HPAI-positive farm had 1,338 ducks and geese; three goslings died and one of the samples taken from others in the flock tested positive for the H5N2 variant of the virus. An estimated 14,000 ducks and 1,000 geese have been culled at the farms affected in the second and third outbreaks.
Le Monde reports that the government has banned shipments of live birds and eggs from the department of Dordogne to other EU member states or third countries. More than one-third of French production of poultry meat (excluding offal and foie gras) is exported, mainly to the Middle East and the EU, according to Le Monde citing data from FranceAgriMer. Exports so far this year have reached 583,000 tons worth more than EUR1.1 billion (US$1.2 billion).
Veterinary authorities in Vietnam have reported further outbreaks of HPAI to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) involving two H5 variants of the virus. Over the past 2 weeks, H5N1 has been confirmed as the cause of 2 outbreaks in backyard flocks in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, leading to the loss of 1,169 birds. Four outbreaks caused by the H5N6 subtype resulted in the death or destruction of 7,539 poultry in Nghe An and Quang Ngai in central Vietnam and in Lai Chau province in the far north, near to the border with China.
A highly pathogenic H5N6 virus was detected recently in a wild bird in Hong Kong that was found dead. Intensified surveillance did not bring to light further cases.
Over the last 2 weeks, Nigeria has reported to OIE one new outbreak of HPAI – at a farm in Lagos state in the south-west of the country bordering Benin. An estimated 2,000 pullets died or were destroyed after the H5N1 subtype of the virus was confirmed.
The same variant has hit 2 flocks in the Greater Accra region in southern Ghana since early October, affecting a mixed village poultry flock and a layer farm. In all, 3,837 birds died or were destroyed.
Taiwan has belatedly reported to OIE five outbreaks of avian flu affecting almost 95,000 chickens and native chickens in January of 2015. Samples sent to the Animal Health Research Institute have only recently been tested and found to be of the H5N2 variant of low pathogenicity, killing less than 75 percent of birds on which they were tested. In the meantime, the affected farms were depopulated, cleaned and disinfected, and subjected to intensive surveillance for a period of 3 months.

Avian flu reported in backyard poultry flock in France

An outbreak of avian influenza (AI) was confirmed on November 24 in a backyard flock in Dordogne in south-west France, according to the French agriculture ministry. The announcement followed abnormal mortality in the birds and analysis of samples taken from the flock by the Departmental Directorate of protecting populations.
Confirmation came on November 24 from the National Agency Risk Assessment (Anses) and strain of the virus was identified as the highly pathogenic H5N1. Sequencing of the strain is underway but it is thought the strain has already been detected in Europe as a low-pathogenic form.
French agriculture minister, Stéphane Le Foll, has instructed his department to set up a national health emergency response plan in accordance with European and international rules. The plan includes the setting up of a 3-kilometer protection zone and 10-kilometer surveillance zone around the affected premises. Monitoring of poultry and wildlife will be stepped up.
Le Foll and health minister, Marisol Touraine, have called on Anses to make an assessment of the threat of the strain to people.
All industry stakeholders have been mobilized and urged to take protective measures as it is understood that the speed of the implementing these measures is vital to limit its spread and consequences of disease, especially for exports.
According to the official report from the agriculture ministry to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) the outbreak started in the flock on November 14. A total of 22 birds in the backyard flock of broilers and laying hens, and the remaining 10 have been destroyed. The last AI outbreak in France was in 2007.

Difficulties continue for French poultry producers

While overall poultry production in France may have declined throughout the past 10 years, broiler production has increased.
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French poultry production fell in the first quarter of 2014, yet the country’s demand for poultry meat continues to grow, with imports taking a greater share of the market. The French poultry sector is experiencing difficulties both at home and in international markets.
French poultry production fell sharply since the 1990s and the industry’s difficulties are continuing. Over the past decade, French production declined by an average of 2.3 percent each year, and this contraction was again evident over the opening months of 2014.
World poultry production has grown by an average of 3.8 percent per annum over the last 10 years. In the global market, French poultry producers have become increasingly uncompetitive, and on the home market a similar story has played out with French producers less able to compete against imports.
Despite these difficulties, however, the country remains Europe’s largest poultry producers if all species are considered, and the sector remains an important contributor to the economy with nearly 50,000 employees.
Poor start to the year
While 2013 may have been positive for French poultry production, figures released by France’s Ministry of Agriculture for the period show that the number or birds slaughtered from January to May this year stood at 382.5 million, while by weight the figure stood at 679,130 metric tons, decreases of 7.3 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.
The number of broilers slaughtered was 8.7 percent lower while broiler meat produced contracted by 5.5 percent. The same data revealed that the number of turkeys slaughtered contracted by 0.4 percent while the number of ducks processed increased by 1.1 percent.
The figures reveal a continuing worsening from the first quarter when 440,000 metric tons was recorded, a contraction of 4 percent in comparison with the year before. The Ministry attributes much of this decline to reduced exports.
Consumption growing
Yet French poultry meat consumption grew by 4.6 percent during the first quarter to stand at 431,300 metric tons, up on 2013’s record high. Broiler meat consumption was up by 6.6 percent to 270,000 tons, turkey meat consumption rose by 2.6 percent to 87,000 tons, while duck meat sales fell by 4.5 percent to 46,600 tons, the Ministry notes.

Per capita poultry meat consumption in France has followed an upward trend during the past 40 years.
Imports and exports
2014’s first quarter figures reveal a negative trade balance for meat and meat products. Exports have dropped sharply and imports continue to rise.
Overall poultry meat and poultry product imports stood at 136,000 metric tons, an increase of 3.4 percent over the quarter, while exports at 130,700 metric tons were 20 percent lower. As far as broiler meat and products are concerned, imports were 3.6 percent higher at 118,000 metric tons, while exports contracted by 20 percent to stand at 102,000 metric tons.
The situation is a marked turnaround from reports issued at the end of the first quarter last year, when poultry exports were described as “stable”.Where imports are concerned, the main supplying countries were Germany, Spain, Belgium and Brazil.
Egg production
A stronger position has been recorded in French egg production, although growth has slowed this year compared to last. Over the first quarter, production of table eggs grew by 5 percent in comparison with the same period last year,
Exports of table eggs and egg grew by 1.2 percent over the first quarter, while imports contracted by 17 percent.
Stimulated by this upturn in the export market, the producer price of eggs was 9 percent higher in May this year in comparison to May 2013.

Merial Avian Forum draws more than 500 attendees to Paris

The Merial Avian Forum, taking place April 23-25 in Paris, has attracted more than 500 participants. The three-day event is playing host to 23 international speakers with delegates coming from more than 68 countries.
Under the slogan “Let’s grow together,” Jerome Baudon, head of global strategic marketing - avian franchise at Merial, opened the proceedings and noted that, by 2020, poultry meat will have overtaken pork as the world’s meat of choice, and added that Merial’s mission was to help producers better and safely feed the world.
Offering an overview of the French poultry market, Dr. Jacques Bonin, country manager France, noted that France remained the largest poultry producer in the EU27, adding that, although the sector had undergone a degree of consolidation, more would be needed if French poultry producers were to be competitive on the international arena.
And like poultry producers in many other countries, the French poultry industry has to confront welfare issues and reduced use of antibiotics.
Topics covered during the first day included microorganisms’ variability, epidemiological consequences, the interaction between microorganisms and the immune system of birds, immune response versus the main avian pathogens, and the evolution of Gumboro vaccinology. 

French poultry, pig crises fuel tension toward Prime Minister at SPACE

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke September 12 at SPACE in Rennes, France, as protesters, who criticize Ayrault during this unstable time for French animal agriculture, gather outside the expo.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault's visit to SPACE 2013 was met with protesters from the pig and poultry industries and the boos and jeers of angry farmers as he quickly made his way through the breeding hall late on the third day of the show. Escorted by a large security detail - and with a troop of riot police standing by - his visit comes at a particularly unstable time for French animal agriculture.
The summer of 2013 has delivered a series of blows to the poultry, pork and eggs industries.
France's poultry sector took a sudden and significant hit after the European Commission repealed its poultry subsidies, which had allowed it to remain competitive against the world market, before its original January 2015 expiration date. As a result, Tilly-Sabco, Europe's No. 2 exporter of frozen poultry, announced a 40 percent reduction in production. This, topped with the financial problems of major producer Doux that began in 2012, has left many in Brittany, France, in fear of the future. Many SPACE attendees wore shirts warning of the potential loss of 50,000 jobs in the poultry industry if action isn't taken.

Response from Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault
Ayrault tackled the issue during his afternoon address by announcing that the government will roll out emergency measures to keep hatcheries and the poultry industry afloat and will file an appeal against the European Commission's decision.
Meanwhile, after being rocked by the swine crisis, France's primary slaughterhouse and processor Gad SAS announced the closure of one of its production facilities and elimination of nearly 1,000 workers in an attempt to balance its books after it entered into a receivership earlier in the year.
Ayrault noted the government stands with its people and hopes to save jobs; however, it cannot "substitute for the leaders of these companies."
SPACE and the aforementioned companies are located in Brittany, a region in northwestern France with a rich tradition of animal agriculture; it accounts for most of the country's animal production.
Ayrault ended his speech by stating, "The Breton agricultural model is not dead."
This edition of SPACE reports record attendance boasting more than 100,000 attendees from around the world. The event, located in Rennes, will be the largest European livestock show in 2013. 

French poultry, pig crises fuel tension toward Prime Minister at SPACE

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke September 12 at SPACE in Rennes, France, as protesters, who criticize Ayrault during this unstable time for French animal agriculture, gather outside the expo.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault's visit to SPACE 2013 was met with protesters from the pig and poultry industries and the boos and jeers of angry farmers as he quickly made his way through the breeding hall late on the third day of the show. Escorted by a large security detail - and with a troop of riot police standing by - his visit comes at a particularly unstable time for French animal agriculture.
The summer of 2013 has delivered a series of blows to the poultry, pork and eggs industries.
France's poultry sector took a sudden and significant hit after the European Commission repealed its poultry subsidies, which had allowed it to remain competitive against the world market, before its original January 2015 expiration date. As a result, Tilly-Sabco, Europe's No. 2 exporter of frozen poultry, announced a 40 percent reduction in production. This, topped with the financial problems of major producer Doux that began in 2012, has left many in Brittany, France, in fear of the future. Many SPACE attendees wore shirts warning of the potential loss of 50,000 jobs in the poultry industry if action isn't taken.

Response from Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault
Ayrault tackled the issue during his afternoon address by announcing that the government will roll out emergency measures to keep hatcheries and the poultry industry afloat and will file an appeal against the European Commission's decision.
Meanwhile, after being rocked by the swine crisis, France's primary slaughterhouse and processor Gad SAS announced the closure of one of its production facilities and elimination of nearly 1,000 workers in an attempt to balance its books after it entered into a receivership earlier in the year.
Ayrault noted the government stands with its people and hopes to save jobs; however, it cannot "substitute for the leaders of these companies."
SPACE and the aforementioned companies are located in Brittany, a region in northwestern France with a rich tradition of animal agriculture; it accounts for most of the country's animal production.
Ayrault ended his speech by stating, "The Breton agricultural model is not dead."
This edition of SPACE reports record attendance boasting more than 100,000 attendees from around the world. The event, located in Rennes, will be the largest European livestock show in 2013. 

French poultry meat sector questions export refund suspension

A delegation from the French poultry industry met the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault during trade show SPACE to raise their concerns over the EU decision to suspend export refunds for poultry meat exports.
Export subsidies are thought to benefit two French companies in particular; however, indirectly they have an impact across various producers and supporting industries.
The poultry industry argues that while it is not against the eventual removal of export subsidies, it must be given time to adapt. Originally, export subsidies had been due to come to an end in 2015.
One-third of French chicken production is exported, mainly to the Middle East, and without support, these exports would not be competitive.
The sector notes that its main rival in export markets is Brazil, which has competitively devalued its currency. Further, other exporting countries have not removed the support offered to their exporters, adding to the disadvantages already experienced by French producers.
France has seen a gradual decline in its share of export markets and an increase in the volume of product imported. Its producers further note that even on the home market they are hampered by having social costs that are not imposed in other countries.
The delegation is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to delay the removal of subsidies and argues that failing to do so could be catastrophic. It says that the early removal would result in the loss of export markets. It would also destabilize the home market given that that chicken produced for export would no longer be able to sold in the market for which it was destined and end up flooding the French market.
This, in turn, would discourage the investment needed to help the sector modernize and result in closure and the possible loss of some 50,000 jobs along the production chain.
Producers are calling for the adoption of a number of measures to support the sector in addition to a delay in removing export support. All players must pull together, its representatives argue, to resist the change. There should not be any new taxes imposed on the sector; environmental policy should be developed in the support of agriculture; the government must help support the sector to become more competitive; and an investment fund should be created to renovate or replace buildings.

Partnership with hatchery company increases Cobb500 broiler breeder market share in France

A new partnership for Cobb-Vantress with hatchery company Grelier is leading to a significant increase in the market share for the Cobb500 broiler breeder in France.
Grelier, the broiler distribution subsidiary of Hendrix Genetics, is a leader in day-old chick sales in the French market. Now known as Caringa, the company has a very strong position in many parts of France for both colored and standard broilers.
According to Paul Brochard, Cobb manager in France: "Cobb has been associated with Grelier over the past two years in the production and distribution of hatching eggs and day-old chicks in France and in export markets, and now the French poultry integrators are fully recognizing the breed's advantages - from more chicks at the hatchery to the higher meat yield at the processing plant.
"The Cobb500 is regularly showing more than one percent higher yield than dwarf breeds at weights under 2kg.  French hatcheries have also [learned] very quickly how to manage the breed and get good performances in terms of hatching eggs and hatchability, with a very low number of floor eggs.
"On the broiler farm, many growers confirm that the bird is easy to manage and achieving good performances whether in feed conversion or daily weight gain with good liveability."
Mathieu Lemarie, general manager of Grelier Poussins Accouveurs/Caringa, added, "The Cobb involvement in France, and the technical support it provides at all the levels, is showing the real potential of the Cobb breed which will continue to strengthen its market share."

French poultry farmers smash eggs in protest of prices, higher production costs

Poultry farmers in France have reportedly threatened to intensify a protest over low egg prices by smashing thousands of eggs on the streets of Brittany, France's main poultry producing region.
French egg farmers are angry due to over production and expensive renovations needed to meet European standards on hen houses. Farmers say they are making just $0.94 per kilogram of eggs, down from $1.47 per kilogram in 2012.
The head of Brittany's egg producers' lobby, Yves-Marie Beaudet, says he "understands the movement" that began August 6, when local reports say nearly 15 masked farmers dumped pallets of thousands of eggs in front of a grocery store in Ploumagoar. The action has continued nightly in the region since.

French poultry breeders merge activites

Hendrix Genetics and Maïsadour have signed an agreement to merge their respective broiler and guinea fowl breeding and hatching activities in the southwest of France. The merged activities will be conducted under the name Société Landaise d'Aviculture, which will then be renamed Caringa Sud-Ouest at a later date. Hendrix Genetics will have majority control and manage Caringa. The former joint-venture between Maïsadour and Boyé (Terrena), Accouvage Landais, will be absorbed and merged into Caringa Sud-Ouest. The logistic activities in the region will be fully absorbed by ALS, the logistics company of Hendrix Genetics. The merger is effective August 1, 2013.

Jean-Louis Zwick, director of distribution for Groupe Maïsadour, said, "This merger is the product of negotiations that started more than a year ago. It fits our strategy to create vertical aligned value chains but with specialized partners for the parts in which we have not our main focus. With a blocking minority in Caringa Sud-Ouest we have safeguarded our strategic connection and assured good continuation of these activities in our area of operation while we can benefit from the economies of scale and expertise that Hendrix Genetics and Caringa bring in this field. We have got comfortable, as leading cooperative in the southwest of France, to bundle our forces with the pragmatic and business oriented, privately owned, international Hendrix Genetics and have found in Caringa the dedication and professionalism that this business needs to be successful."

Mathieu Lemarié, general manager of Caringa, said, "We announced end of last year that we would transform our broiler distribution activities, at that time called Grelier Poussins Accouveur sas, to a new fifth division in Hendrix Genetics, called Caringa. This division focuses on specialized breeding and distribution for traditional poultry — traditional layers, label and certified broilers, colored turkeys and guinea fowls — and heavy broilers — Cobb. This step with Maïsadour is an exciting development for our company as it means a significant strengthening of our position in traditional poultry in France. It will create economies of scale and market leadership in the southwest of France that forms a strong base for the local market as well as for exports to Italy, Spain and Portugal. We have the right team and strategy to make Caringa Sud-Ouest successful for all stakeholders involved."

French court approves partial offers for Doux sites

A French court has approved the partial offers for five of eight sites operated by Doux Frais, the fresh produce division of indebted poultry group Doux, which is now in line to be partially acquired by Barclays.
Doux Frais was placed under a liquidation order on August 1 but was allowed to continue trading until September 10 so potential buyers could emerge, according to reports. The Doux Frais site in Pleucadeuc, France, has been acquired by Galina Doux, and the plants in Laval and Sérent have been acquired by LDC. Glon Sanders (Sofiprotéol), in association with Duc, have acquired the plants in Boynes and Blancafort. No bids were submitted for the other the sites.

French court holds off on Doux takeover decision

A French court has decided to delay the decision of indebted poultry group Doux's possible takeover until at least October, according to reports.
Two competing plans were submitted: one involving giving Barclays bank an 80 percent stake in the company in exchange for €140 million (US$172.42 million) in debt forgiveness; and the other a takeover offer from a consortium of French agri-business groups led by oilseed company Sofiproteol. The commercial court has extended its deliberations until Oct. 9 and, in the meantime, ordered the liquidation of Doux's fresh poultry activity and called for bids for the business to be submitted by Aug. 10.
Doux employs roughly 4,000 people, and either plan will include the loss of 1,000 jobs.

Bank Barclays proposes 80 percent stake in Doux

Barclays, the main bank creditor of indebted French poultry group Doux, has proposed to swap a €140 million (US$169.73 million) loan for an 80 percent stake in the company, leaving Doux a 20 percent minority stakeholder in the business, according to reports. Barclays has said it wants to then sell off parts of its holding to potential partners.
The leading competing bid to take over Doux has come from oilseed financial group Sofiproteol, and a court hearing is scheduled for July 27 to review proposed plans. Roughly 1,000 jobs are expected to be lost no matter who wins the bid. While Sofiproteol has put forward an offer to take over some of Doux's assets, it would not take over the company's debts, as it would be part of a sale process following a bankruptcy.
The judge directing the hearing is set to adjourn its decision for further deliberation, and a verdict isn't likely until August at the earliest, according to reports.

Doux takes drivers to court as they threaten strike

French poultry group Doux, currently in the midst of considering several takeover bids, went to court on July 12 to stop its drivers from striking over unpaid bills, according to reports. The drivers have said they will stop work if around 8,000 bills aren't paid by July 13.
Doux, which in June received enough money to continue day-to-day operations, is still in negotiations to find the capital to pay off debts to its breeders, which take precedence over the company's other debts. Doux said it is asking the drivers not to add a crisis to a crisis. "The administrators would like to remind the drivers as to the consequences which would unfold from a day of stoppage in terms of loss of turnover in an already critical period," said Doux. "This day would have no possible advantage for the transporters."

Ten takeover bids submitted for Doux

Ten takeover bids by seven groups have been submitted for French poultry exporter Doux, including bids by Daviet, Cavac Ciab, Financière Turenne Lafayette, LDC, Sofiprotéol, Tilly-Sabco and Terrena.
Sofiprotéol is leading a consortium that submitted a bid for Doux and brings together Sofiprotéol's subsidiary Glon Sanders, Duc, LDC, Terrena, Tilly-Sabco and Triskalia. In addition, Doux's current shareholders have submitted a plan to keep the indebted business running. "It's our understanding that the judicial administrators will use the period between now and the week commencing 23 July to incite the bidders to improve their offers ahead of an audience at the Paris commercial court scheduled to be held before the end of the month," said a Doux spokesman.
The current prediction is that judicial administrators will favor a global bid for the company, which will retain the maximum number of jobs and allow Doux to meet its commitments to its creditors.

French consortium may make full offer for Doux

A French consortium led by oilseed company Sofiproteol has gained approval from the French government to join those bidding for indebted poultry exporter Doux. The group is making an offer for the entire company, according to reports.
The deadline for takeover bids was the afternoon of July 5, the end of the most recent step in Doux's attempts to remain in business. The company stopped paying its creditors in June with a debt of €340 million (US$423 million). Roughly 3,400 staff and 800 poultry farmers in France are currently at risk for losing their jobs and business if an agreement isn't reached.

French poultry group Doux in talks with potential buyers

Doux's debt currently stands at €340 million (US$426 million).

The latest trends in French broiler production, consumption

Paul Brochard, account manager for France with Cobb, gives an overview of the state of play of the French poultry industry. Watch the video here.

SPACE 2011: SPACE celebrates 25th edition

The French animal husbandry trade show SPACE celebrated its 25th edition this year, with a record number of exhibitors — 1,300. The show’s organizers note that requests for space this year could not be fully met, particularly in the dairy and poultry farming sectors.
While the overwhelming number of exhibitors, 700, at the event were from France, SPACE is increasingly placing itself as an international event, and welcomed ministers and delegations from around the world. Its organizers noted that while the show was unrecognizable in comparison with 25 years ago, it remained a “friendly” place to do business.
Visitor numbers on day one of the event may have been a little low in the poultry halls but the show was not without excitement. As in previous years, the event witnessed a protest from local farmers — this time from the pig industry — however, it was nothing like last year’s protests when a lockdown had to be implemented and riot police charged.
Some 100,000 visitors are expected over the course of the event, and day one saw the French Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire, absent for the last three years, attend the event. He recognized the difficult climate that France’s livestock producers are facing and, for poultry producers, promised that despite budgetary constraints there would be no restrictions on the €20 million earmarked for the next three years to help producers modernize and make their buildings legally compliant.