China ractopamine ban leads Tyson to seek new export markets

Tyson Foods is seeking alternative export markets for pork products, after China implemented a ban on the import of pork products from several of Tyson’s pork processing facilities.
The USDA had earlier announced that China was barring pork imports from six U.S. processing plants and six cold storage facilities over the use of feed additive ractopamine, according to a Reuters report. China requires third-party verification that U.S. pork imports are free of ractopamine.
Tyson Foods spokesperson Gary Mickelson told the news agency that the company was confident in the quality and safety of its pork products. Tyson is working with U.S. government officials to try to resolve the trade issue. “In the meantime, we’ll find other markets for our products,” said Mickelson.
China bans pork products from multiple facilities
The Tyson Foods facilities mentioned in the ban are located in Perry, Iowa; Storm Lake, Iowa; and Logansport, Indiana. Other pork processing facilities mentioned in the ban are: Quality Pork Processors, Austin Minnesota; Triumph Foods, St. Joseph, Missouri; and Hormel Foods, Fremont, Nebraska.
China has also banned pork products from the following cold storage facilities: Cloverleaf Cold Storage, Fairmont, Minnesota; Frozen Assets Cold Storage, Chicago; Nor-Am Cold Storage, St. Joseph, Missouri; Millard Refrigerated Services, Edwardsville, Kansas; Hanson Cold Storage Company, Logansport, Indiana; and Americold Logistics LLC, Fremont, Nebraska.

Russia lifts ban on US turkey imports

Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, has lifted its ban on turkey imported from the United States. The ban had been in place for the past 12 months because of concerns over the use of growth promoter ractopamine in U.S. turkey products.
Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator Alfred Almanza had earlier in 2014 discussed the U.S. ractopamine-free program. At the time, Rosselkhoznadzor agreed to review the program, and if satisfied with the program, the import of U.S. turkey meat to Russia and the Customs Union (CU) would resume.
With the lifting of the ban, effective February 24, U.S. turkey processors Jennie-O Turkey Store and Butterball are able to resume exports to Russia and the CU, according to reports. The materials of a third turkey company, which had not previously exported to the CU, have been sent to the Customs Union for approval. 

Russia, Customs Union might resume import of U.S. turkey in February

Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance,can be expected in February to provide its conclusion of the United States' ractopamine-free program proposed by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). If Rosselkhoznadzor is satisfied with the program, the import of U.S. turkey meat to Russia and the Customs Union (CU) can be resumed.
Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, discussed the ractopamine-free program in a telephone conversation with FSIS Administrator Alfred Almanza. The program, Dankvert stressed, must provide for a mandatory laboratory control ensuring zero tolerance of ractopamine in products intended for Russian and CU markets.
Almanza, according to a Rosselkhoznadzor news release, expressed his appreciation for the inspection of turkey meat establishments carried out in December 2013, as well as for the timely review of the proposals regarding the export of ractopamine-free turkey meat to the CU. He also addressed Dankvert with the request to consider the feasibility of export of pork from several American plants enrolled in the ractopamine non-use program to Russia. It was agreed that FSIS would provide Rosselkhoznadzor with an official letter describing the proposed program for ractopamine-free pork production. The decision on resuming pork imports against guarantees of FSIS will be made following the review of the program by the Rosselkhoznadzor's experts.

US, Russia continuing talks on ractopamine-free turkey and pork

Not satisfied that the U.S. has done enough to assure turkey and pork exports to Russia would be free of ractopamine, the Russian veterinary and food safety agency, Rosselkhoznador, has scheduled additional talks with U.S. officials on August 21. In February, Russia placed a ban on U.S. turkey, pork and beef products because of worries over ractopamine use in feeds.
Parties from the two countries are continuing the talks after failing to reach an agreement on August 15. Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration are expected to participate.
The two nations are discussing a program proposed by the U.S. that assures the growth promoter ractopamine, or other beta-agonists would not be used in the production of turkey meat to be exported to Russia or Customs Union territory. The U.S. has expressed its readiness to ensure the export of ractopamine-free turkey meat to the Customs Union countries. However, Russian officials have expressed worries that inspections and tests for ractopamine use may have been conducted by the exporting companies and not the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. 

Pig study finds on-farm feed blending improves profitability

The results of a three-year trial confirm previous theories that altering pig diets more frequently than the standard industry practice can improve feed conversion and lower feed cost per pound of gain, according to Feedlogic Corp. 
The study demonstrates the value of blending feed on farm to more closely match the dietary requirements of pigs. The trial was conducted at a 1,200-head commercial hog finishing site in Minnesota and showed a net improvement in profitability of over $3.75 per marketed pig by blending feed versus feeding standard phase diets. The savings came primarily from a reduced feed cost per pound of gain. They also provide strong evidence that the blending does not come at the cost of carcass premiums.
More than 12,000 pigs were involved in the trial over a total of 10 turns. The trial facility was set up with a FeedSaver blending system which allowed half of the pigs (approx. 600 head) to be fed the standard phase diets and the other half to receive a blend of two standard diets – typically the first and fourth diets used in the standard phase program. 
Feed for both groups was weighed through the FeedSaver system, allowing an accurate comparison of feed consumption between the groups. The blended diets were changed with every 10 lbs/head of consumption; the phase diets as per the standard feed budgets.
Other standard protocols followed through the trial:
• All pigs placed at the same time and sorted evenly between pens (24 pens per group). The average weight of both groups was used as starting weight for all.

• Feed pricing was based on average delivered cost of diets for each turn.

• Both groups were fed an identical diet with Paylean (ractopamine) for the last 14 to 21 days of a turn, as per the standard procedure in the producer’s commercial system.

• Standard marketing procedures were followed – the largest pigs from either group were shipped first. Pigs from each group were tattooed separately to allow tracking of carcass data by group.
Key results from the trial:
• Feed conversion for the blend-fed group was 5% better than the control group (2.56:1 vs. 2.69:1).

• Blend-fed pigs averaged slightly better average daily gain (1.92 lbs vs. 1.89 lbs for the control group).

• Carcass yield, lean percentage, and backfat thickness were all virtually identical between groups.

• The average carcass premium per pig (which included sort loss) was $5.23 for the blend-fed group and $5.24 for the control group.

• Feed cost per pound of gain averaged $0.27 for the blend-fed group vs. $0.29 for the control group. 
Aside from improving pig producer profitability, the blending concept demonstrated in the trial also has benefit to feed mills since it reduces the number of diets that need to be manufactured and simplifies the feed delivery process. The same diet can be stored in a feed bin for a longer period of time, making it easier for truck drivers to manage. 

Smithfield poised to meet rising demand for ractopamine-free pork

Several of Smithfield Foods pork processing plants have been ractopamine-free since 2012 and its North Carolina facility, the world’s largest pork processing plant will be fully compliant on March 1 with new regulatory requirements from China.
The pork producer has been leveraging its integrated platform to supply ractopamine-free pork to export customers for some time. Combined, these two plants will supply the market with more than 43,000 ractopamine-free hogs per day. Hogs will be sourced from company-owned farms, as well as contract producers, and will be fed from feed mills that are entirely ractopamine-free.
C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer, said, "As the largest hog producer in the world, Smithfield is positioned to deliver differentiated products to meet customer specifications — both domestically and abroad.”
"The conversion of these plants to ractopamine-free is just one example of the flexibility that our vertically integrated model affords us in our ability to adapt to changing consumer demands in the U.S. and in international markets. We believe that this platform will continue to provide a competitive advantage for our company that will add value by fostering customer relationships to increase market share and generate growth," he continued.
In regard to the new third party verification requirement, Mr. Pope remarked that, "We urge the U.S. government to work to quickly and decisively resolve this issue. We are in close contact with the U.S. government to address this situation and our customers in China and Russia are also encouraging their respective governments to develop a protocol with the U.S. government that is acceptable to all parties."
Ractopamine is a safe and effective FDA-approved feed supplement used in the hog farming industry for many years to produce leaner pork. Smithfield will continue to produce pork with and without this supplement according to customer specifications.

China announces additional testing for all US pork March 1

China has announced that beginning on March 1, 2013 all U.S. pork products will be tested for ractopamine, a feed additive used to promote lean muscle growth by a third-party testing firm, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The feed additive has been found to be safe and certain levels are deemed acceptable by the United Nations.
China is the world's biggest producer and consumer of pig meat and the third-largest market for U.S. pork. The announcement is odd considering that no pork products from the US have tested positive for the feed additive, recently. U.S. pork exports to China and Hong Kong, totaled $886 million in 2012.
Some industry insiders see the move as a way to protect its domestic pig production, and earlier in February, Russia barred any U.S. meat products that contain ractopamine. If China were to ban pork imports from the United States, it would boost pig production in Canada, Brazil and the European Union.

Russia imposing temporary ban on U.S. turkey

Russia will soon ban imports of U.S. turkey because of concerns about the use of the feed additive ractopamine, according to the country's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service. The ban includes U.S. turkey meat, as well as finished products containing turkey meat.
The service will impose a temporary ban, effective February 11. It earlier decided to ban imports of U.S. beef and pork from the same date, also because of ractopamine concerns. Reports of a potential ban on U.S. chicken products are unfounded, as U.S. government officials have said they have received no communication concerning chicken.
Poultry trade groups have said U.S. turkey companies that ship to Russia do not use the growth stimulant ractopamine. It is banned in some countries because of concerns it could remain in the meat and cause health problems, despite scientific evidence showing it is safe.
The U.S., through November 2012, exported 3,930 tons of turkey to Russia valued at $7.8 million, which was up 115 and 118 percent from 2011 in terms of quantity and value, respectively, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.
A USDA spokesman said they were aware of reports of a planned ban on imports of U.S. turkey products, but "have received no official communications from the Russian Veterinary Service on this matter. Clearly we would have great concerns about any such action" if it were to occur, he said to Reuter's.

Russia bans US pork, beef imports over ractopamine

Russia will ban U.S. pork and beef imports starting on Feb. 11 over concerns about ractopamine, a feed additive used in North America to boost growth and leanness that is increasingly controversial overseas, according to Rosselkhoznadzor.
Yevgeny Nepoklonov, deputy head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, addressed a letter to Ronald Jones, assistant administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the US Department of Agriculture. In spite of repeated appeals from the Rosselkhoznadzor, the United States has given no guarantees on the absence of beta-adenostimulator (ractopamine) in animal product consignments supplied on the Russian market.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the United States continues exporting meat containing ractopamine residues, which are detected during laboratory monitoring of the imported product. Failure to supply reliable ractopamine-free meat results in undue additional costs spent by the Russian members of foreign trade on disposal, recycling or re-export of products non-compliant with the safety requirements.
As a result, the Rosselkhoznadzor considered it necessary to impose temporary restrictions on importation of pork and beef, pork and beef raw products and pork and beef finished products from the United States to Russia.

Ractopamine safe for use in Brazil pork

Animal scientists in Brazil have found that a small dose of the feed additive ractopamine can boost pork production without changing how pork looks or tastes.
In the latest issue of the Journal of Animal Science, researchers said that a 5 mg/kg dose of ractopamine increased muscle mass and feed efficiency, and had no noticeable effect on pork marbling, fat content, toughness or color. The researchers came to this conclusion by testing pork from 340 pigs raised under commercial conditions. "We found that if [pork producers] use 5 mg/kg of ractopamine in the finishing diet of swine that should result in no detrimental effects on fresh pork quality and cooked pork palatability," said Natália Bortoleto Athayde, an animal scientist at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil.
However, some scientists have reported reduced pork quality with higher doses of ractopamine. The researchers found that pork from the 10 mg/kg pigs was lighter and less tender than pork from control group pigs. Athayde said this confirms previous studies showing that 5 mg/kg is an appropriate dose in Brazilian commercial pork production. "Pork is the most animal protein consumed in the world, and Brazil is currently the fourth-largest producer of this meat," said Athayde. "We export about 15 percent of pork we produce and we believe it is extremely important to know the quality of the meat that we offer to the world."
Athayde said she recommends further studies of how ractopamine affects animal behavior, consumer health and the environment.

US calls on Russia to suspend ractopamine testing requirements

Russia has implemented a requirement that all pork and beef imported from the U.S. be tested and certified free of the feed additive ractopamine, a move which could affect more than $500 million a year in U.S. meat exports to the country, according to reports.
In response, the U.S. has called for a suspension of the requirement, with some saying the implementation is retaliation for a Senate bill that expands bilateral trade while punishing Russian human rights violators. "The United States is very concerned that Russia has taken these actions, which appear to be inconsistent with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization," said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. "The United States calls on Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products.
"The United States sought, and Russia committed as part of its WTO accession package, to ensure that it adhered rigorously to WTO requirements and that it would use international standards unless it had a risk assessment to justify use of a more stringent standard," they said. "Especially in light of its commitment to use international standards, this is an important opportunity for Russia to demonstrate that it takes its WTO commitments seriously."

National Pork Producers Council objects to Taiwan trade negotiations

The National Pork Producers Council has expressed its strong objection to the U.S. re-opening Trade and Investment Framework Agreement negotiations with Taiwan because of that country’s continued failure to lift a ban on ractopamine use in pork production.
The Taiwanese parliament recently voted to ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports from cattle produced with ractopamine, but left the ban in place on pork produced with the same product. Ractopamine is a dietary additive used to improve the feed efficiency, growth rate and lean carcass percentage of live hogs and cattle. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by the food-safety agencies in 24 other countries. The U.N.’s Codex Alimentarius, which sets international standards for food products, has approved a maximum residue limit for ractopamine, which U.S. pork meets.
The council asked U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to make clear to Taiwan that lifting the ractopamine ban for beef only will not prompt the U.S. to re-open agreement talks with Taiwan. The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement provides a framework for expanding trade and resolving trade disputes between countries. The pork organization also urged the U.S. officials to “up the ante” on Taiwan by indicating that the U.S. will not support the Asian nation’s entry into negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade pact, until it drops its ractopamine ban on pork imports.
If Taiwan were to lift the ractopamine ban on pork imports, U.S. pork exports to that country would increase to $417 million within 10 years, according to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes. Just $53.8 million of U.S. pork was shipped to Taiwan in 2011.