International poultry intestinal health group formed

An independent panel of experts has unified to form the Intestinal Health Scientific Interest Group, and has already held several meetings on the topics of necrotic enteritis and dysbiosis.
The IHSIG meetings serve as a forum where experts can discuss current challenges of intestinal health management, with the goal of a better understanding of intestinal disorders and/or infections. ”Although necrotic enteritis is well studied, many research programs are still ongoing to get a better understanding of the disease,” said Professor Van Immerseel at the first meeting. “One of the activities of the IHSIG group is to establish common guidelines. For example, the IHSIG group has been discussing the utilization of uniform guidelines on how to score an affected gut.” IHSIG is working on forthcoming actions and will continue to meet frequently to work on the topic of intestinal health management and further prevention of necrotic enteritis using alternative solutions to antibiotics.
Members of IHSIG include:

• Professor Dr. H.M. Hafez (Free University Berlin, Germany) - chairman
• Professor Dr. Ir. Filip Van Immerseel (Ghent University, Belgium) -chairman
• Dr. Maria Francesch (IRTA, Spain)
• Dr. Luca Bano (Istituto Zooprofilattico, Italy)
• Professor Magne Kaldhusdal (National Veterinary Institute, Norway)
• Richard Rietema DVM (Pluimveepraktijk Noord-Oost; The Netherlands)
• Maarten De Gussem DVM (Vetworks BVBA, Belgium)
• Professor Roberto Marcello La Ragione (Veterinary Laboratories Agency, UK)
• Dr. Christine BUREL (ANSES Ploufragan, France) 

US poultry industry concerned over release of food safety data

The National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry and Egg Association have expressed concerns over the public release of establishment-specific food safety data, including the potential for misinterpretation of the data; adverse effects on international trade; the risk that confidential or proprietary information could be deduced; and adverse effects on inspector performance.
The groups believe that their concerns were not completely addressed in the final report released by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council, “The Potential Consequences of Public Release of Food Safety and Inspection Service Establishment-Specific Data.”  Without proper context, said the groups in a statement, there is concern that the amount of information will be subject to misinterpretation and confusion that could "needlessly alarm consumers and our trading partners.”
FSIS data may already be obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. Such data includes:

• Microbiological sampling and testing data.
• Residue sampling and testing data.
• Facility-specific noncompliance records identified during routine inspection activities.
• Food-safety assessments, evaluations of the entirety of a facility’s food-safety program, including the nature and source of raw materials, processes, the environment, and all other aspects included under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.
• Facility-specific HACCP verifications.
• Foodborne-disease outbreak investigation closeout reports.

“A strong food safety system is the number one priority of the poultry industry,” said the groups. “But as the report itself states, ‘It is not possible to make a direct causal link between public data access and specific food-safety improvements.’” 

China may increase corn and wheat imports, report predicts

The China National Grain and Oils Information Centre published its latest report, which expects China will increase its corn and wheat imports.
According to the report, in the year ending September 30, corn imports reached an estimated 4 million tons, up 3.02 million tons from last year, and wheat imports increased by 700,000 tons to 1.5 million tons in the year ending May 31.
CNGOIC's report predicted wheat consumption of 18 million tons, an 8.8% increase in corn consumption to 177.1 million tons, including 107.8 million tons of corn for feed use, up 7.8% from last year. Consumption of corn for industry use will increase by 5.5 million tons. 

US broiler eggs, chicks down last week of November

U.S. commercial hatcheries in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 19-state weekly program set 194 million eggs in incubators during the week ending November 26, down 6% from the eggs set the corresponding week in 2010.
Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 85%. Broiler growers in the program placed 156 million chicks for meat production during the week ending November 26, down 5% from 2010 numbers. Cumulative placements from January 2 through November 26 were 7.76 billion, down 3% from the same period in 2010.
For more information and statistics on U.S. poultry, visit www.wattagnet.com/marketdata.html. 

Nepal declares bird flu crisis, puts districts on alert

Nepal's government has declared the Bhaktapur district, which has been hit by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, an "emergency area," closing down two dozen schools and putting in place a high alert program in 26 surrounding districts.
The outbreak originated from a poultry farm near Manohara Khola, which reported an incident involving 35 dead chickens that were found to have died from bird flu. Actions were then taken to prevent the spread of the disease, including culling the birds. "Over 500 chickens and ducks have been slaughtered," said government health official Narayan Prasad Ghimire. "We also destroyed dozens of eggs and several kilos of poultry feed. We've banned the production and consumption of poultry products in the crisis-hit area. Poultry farming will not be allowed for at least one and-a-half months."
Bhaktapur is the second-largest chicken-producing district in Nepal, usually producing 10,000 kilograms of chicken and 150,000 eggs per day.

Mexico corn production cut due to extreme drought

Mexico's worst drought in 70 years has caused the country's government to cut its corn forecast a second time to 20 million metric tons, compared to a previously revised estimate of 23 million metric tons, according to reports.
Tens of thousands of acres of crops have already been lost in the drought that has affected nearly 70% of Mexico, and 450,000 cattle have died. Dams are at 30% to 40% capacity. The Mexican government has so far set aside some 1.6 billion pesos (US$113 million) in aid to cover losses. "It's a troubling situation, and is more worrisome because the rainy season is over," said Felipe Arreguin, deputy director of the National Water Commission. "The hope is that by June it starts to rain."
If the drought continues, analysts say authorities will have to raise food imports to cover lower domestic production.

High amounts of vomitoxin found on Ontario corn crop

The fungal disease vomitoxin is being reported in large amounts in Southwestern Ontario's corn crop, and some field tests are coming back with high levels of the type of vomitoxin that pigs are particularly sensitive to, according to reports.
The disease, which appears in overly wet conditions and can sicken livestock if consumed in high concentrations, is already being monitored by the industry. "We are well aware of the problem and are on top of it,'' said Angelo Ligori, head of GreenField Ethanol Inc's ethanol facility. 2010's corn crop was relatively vomitoxin-free, while 2006 and 2008's crops had high levels of the disease. The industry standard is two parts per million.
The extent of the problem won't be known until after the harvest is completed, according to farmers.