A move to repeal U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) laws regarding meat products has resurfaced as part of the year-end funding bill. A vote on the bill is expected within days.
Congress has been facing pressure to repeal COOL after the World Trade Organization (WTO) in May deemed the laws unfair and inconsistent with free trade obligations. Canada and Mexico challenged the U.S. COOL laws, saying they discriminate against beef and pork from the two countries. The two countries vowed to seek retaliation in the form of tariffs on U.S. goods, and the WTO on December 7 authorized Mexico and Canada to issue more than $1 billion in tariffs.
While a bill to repeal COOL was approved in the House of Representatives, the Senate failed to pass such legislation. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, pushed for a similar bill to that one approved by the House, but it was never passed. Fellow ag committee member Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, proposed another piece of legislation that would make COOL voluntary. That legislation also stalled.
Roberts, in a press release, expressed hope that the bill which includes the repeal of COOL would be approved.
“For several years now, the writing has been on the wall that U.S. COOL requirements for meat were doomed at the WTO. Since its inception, I have warned that retaliation was coming, and I’m pleased American agriculture and businesses will escape these tariffs,” said Roberts. “With passage, American farmers, ranchers and small businesses will finally get the certainty they deserve from unnecessary trade retaliation.”
K. Michael Conaway, House Agriculture Committee chairman, said in a statement he was pleased to see the language about repealing COOL laws was included in the funding bill.
“By including this language, we will be back in compliance with our WTO obligations, avoid more than $1 billion in retaliation from Canada and Mexico, and prevent damages to our relationships with two of our top trade partners,” said Conaway.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Hubbard Premium Forum great success
The first Hubbard Premium Forum was an overwhelming success. The meeting centered on premium broiler products drew 106 attendees from 18 countries to Breukelen in the Netherlands. At the end of the forum, Hubbard promised customers that it will be the first of a series to be held in different parts of Europe. Hubbard is a global leader in the market of “Premium Chickens,” which includes organic, Label Rouge, 81-day Free range, 56-day Free Range, Certified, Freedom Food and Chicken of Tomorrow.
The event allowed the company’s main European customers to get to know each other better and to share technical and practical information from the field. The participants learned more about the growing differentiation of the broiler markets in the EU and how to get the best performance and optimal results for this growing segment of the market.
During two morning sessions, several presentations focused on various aspects of the premium products and markets in Europe. The recent developments of differentiated broiler production chains in the Netherlands such as “Beter Leven” and the “Chicken of Tomorrow” were given as a good example of how the industry can react to changing consumer demands. The European and U.S. are changing with the emerging production of Antibiotic Free (ABF) broilers and slower growing chickens. This year ABF broilers represent nearly 25 percent of the total output of broilers.
Frederic Fagnoul, geneticist for the Hubbard Premium product range, gave more insight in the work done at R&D level with a clear focus on robustness, welfare traits, productivity, efficiency and meat quality. Hubbard has been selecting slower growing broiler breeds for nearly 50 years and has adapted its breeding program to changes in consumption patterns and the increased demand for conformation and meat quality. For that, Hubbard has intensified its selection following these latest trends and is finalizing a multi-million Euro investment in its R&D and production center in Courtenay, France.
Marcel Vanlauwe, who has been involved in the selection of the Hubbard Premium products for several decades, summarized the excellent breeder results in the field for the Hubbard JA57, JA87, Redbro M and P6N. Results are gathered from Hubbard’s customers using the Hubbard Flock Recording system, which is available for free for all Hubbard customers. Based on these data, Marcel could proudly show that for all breeder females, the average production of hatching eggs per hen housed is above the Hubbard standard. He stressed that it is very important to develop a good carcass during the first period of rearing. It helps to achieve the ultimate in uniformity, combined with good appetite and egg size and to get peaks and good persistency.
Claude Toudic, Hubbard technical manager EMEA & Brazil, focused on the results of an experimental trial done by ITAVI and INRA on a multi-criteria evaluation of the Hubbard JA757 and JA957 broilers in indoor, winter garden and free range housing systems. He concluded that carcass quality tends to be better when birds have access to a winter garden or a ranging area, and these systems are improving consumers’ image of broiler growing. However, “free range” is a recognized category in the EU regulation, but the “winter garden” as used in the Netherlands is not. This makes the involvement of retailers in the communication to consumers extremely important.
The event allowed the company’s main European customers to get to know each other better and to share technical and practical information from the field. The participants learned more about the growing differentiation of the broiler markets in the EU and how to get the best performance and optimal results for this growing segment of the market.
During two morning sessions, several presentations focused on various aspects of the premium products and markets in Europe. The recent developments of differentiated broiler production chains in the Netherlands such as “Beter Leven” and the “Chicken of Tomorrow” were given as a good example of how the industry can react to changing consumer demands. The European and U.S. are changing with the emerging production of Antibiotic Free (ABF) broilers and slower growing chickens. This year ABF broilers represent nearly 25 percent of the total output of broilers.
Frederic Fagnoul, geneticist for the Hubbard Premium product range, gave more insight in the work done at R&D level with a clear focus on robustness, welfare traits, productivity, efficiency and meat quality. Hubbard has been selecting slower growing broiler breeds for nearly 50 years and has adapted its breeding program to changes in consumption patterns and the increased demand for conformation and meat quality. For that, Hubbard has intensified its selection following these latest trends and is finalizing a multi-million Euro investment in its R&D and production center in Courtenay, France.
Marcel Vanlauwe, who has been involved in the selection of the Hubbard Premium products for several decades, summarized the excellent breeder results in the field for the Hubbard JA57, JA87, Redbro M and P6N. Results are gathered from Hubbard’s customers using the Hubbard Flock Recording system, which is available for free for all Hubbard customers. Based on these data, Marcel could proudly show that for all breeder females, the average production of hatching eggs per hen housed is above the Hubbard standard. He stressed that it is very important to develop a good carcass during the first period of rearing. It helps to achieve the ultimate in uniformity, combined with good appetite and egg size and to get peaks and good persistency.
Claude Toudic, Hubbard technical manager EMEA & Brazil, focused on the results of an experimental trial done by ITAVI and INRA on a multi-criteria evaluation of the Hubbard JA757 and JA957 broilers in indoor, winter garden and free range housing systems. He concluded that carcass quality tends to be better when birds have access to a winter garden or a ranging area, and these systems are improving consumers’ image of broiler growing. However, “free range” is a recognized category in the EU regulation, but the “winter garden” as used in the Netherlands is not. This makes the involvement of retailers in the communication to consumers extremely important.
IPVC abstracts accepted until January 8
Abstracts are being accepted for the 24th International Pig Veterinary Congress (IPVC) and 8th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM). The two events will be held in conjunction with each other on June 7-10, 2016, in Dublin, Ireland.
The deadline to submit abstracts is January 8, 2016. This is an opportunity for people in the swine health field to advance their careers, advance their departments and make industry connections.
Potential abstract topics include:
The deadline to submit abstracts is January 8, 2016. This is an opportunity for people in the swine health field to advance their careers, advance their departments and make industry connections.
Potential abstract topics include:
- Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)
- Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv)
- Classical swine fever or African swine fever
- Viral and viral diseases
- Porcine circovirus type 2 (PVC2)
- Swine influenza virus (SIV)
- Herd health management and economy
- Welfare and nutrition
- Reproduction
- Lawsonia
- Brachyspira
- Salmonella
- H. Parasuis
- S.suis
- Parasitic diseases
- Vaccinology and immunology
- Antimicrobial
- Mycoplasma
- Actinobacillus
- Clostridia
- E Coli
- Bacteriology and bacterial diseases
- Veterinary public health (food safety)
- Miscellaneous
Minnesota poultry lab to be renovated, expanded
Officials are preparing to break ground on an $8.5 million expansion and renovation of the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory in Willmar, Minnesota.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the lab expansion will be held December 21 at the Willmar Community and Activity Center, reported the West Central Tribune.
When completed in the fall of 2016, the new facility will provide a stronger defense against future outbreaks of the avian influenza.
The existing 3,665-square-foot laboratory was put to the test in 2015 during the avian influenza outbreak. Cases of avian influenza were confirmed at 108 sites in Minnesota in 2015, affecting an estimated 9 million birds.
Operated by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, the 20-year-old lab runs tests on garden variety poultry diseases but it has never been equipped to test for the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza. Because of that, couriers had to drive to the University of Minnesota’s diagnostic lab in St. Paul twice a day during the peak of the state’s avian influenza outbreak to get samples tested. In addition, some samples were even sent out of state to manage the overload of work.
During the construction process, the lab will temporarily be housed at an off-site location.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the lab expansion will be held December 21 at the Willmar Community and Activity Center, reported the West Central Tribune.
When completed in the fall of 2016, the new facility will provide a stronger defense against future outbreaks of the avian influenza.
The existing 3,665-square-foot laboratory was put to the test in 2015 during the avian influenza outbreak. Cases of avian influenza were confirmed at 108 sites in Minnesota in 2015, affecting an estimated 9 million birds.
Operated by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, the 20-year-old lab runs tests on garden variety poultry diseases but it has never been equipped to test for the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza. Because of that, couriers had to drive to the University of Minnesota’s diagnostic lab in St. Paul twice a day during the peak of the state’s avian influenza outbreak to get samples tested. In addition, some samples were even sent out of state to manage the overload of work.
During the construction process, the lab will temporarily be housed at an off-site location.
Wen’s Food Group plans new pig complex in Anhui, China
Wen’s Food Group recently signed an agreement involving a new project－a pig complex－with the government of Suzhou City, Anhui Province.
According to the report of Wen’s Group, the company plans to invest US$92.88 million to build a feed mill, four pig breeding farms and an office building. Based on the model of “Company Plus Family Farms,”the project adopts the integrated operation that concerns the whole industrial chain. The products to be produced are sold by the complex can put 600,000 head pigs on the market.
Wen’s Group currently owns more than 170 subsidiaries in 23 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions). The total assets of Wen’s total US$3.84 billion and the sales revenue of the group in 2014 was US$5.88 billion.
In terms of industrial structure, the business of the Group is dominated by traditional animal farming of which the output value of the poultry division (40 percent) and pig division (55 percent) accounts for 95 percent of the total output value of Wen’s Group.
The size of the hog supply of Wen’s to the domestic market is now the largest among all players in China. In 2014, a total of 12.18 million hogs were sold by Wen’s Group.
According to the report of Wen’s Group, the company plans to invest US$92.88 million to build a feed mill, four pig breeding farms and an office building. Based on the model of “Company Plus Family Farms,”the project adopts the integrated operation that concerns the whole industrial chain. The products to be produced are sold by the complex can put 600,000 head pigs on the market.
Wen’s Group currently owns more than 170 subsidiaries in 23 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions). The total assets of Wen’s total US$3.84 billion and the sales revenue of the group in 2014 was US$5.88 billion.
In terms of industrial structure, the business of the Group is dominated by traditional animal farming of which the output value of the poultry division (40 percent) and pig division (55 percent) accounts for 95 percent of the total output value of Wen’s Group.
The size of the hog supply of Wen’s to the domestic market is now the largest among all players in China. In 2014, a total of 12.18 million hogs were sold by Wen’s Group.
Perdue truckers deliver 'Wreaths Across America'
For the ninth straight year, Perdue’s professional truck drivers are helping deliver wreaths to veterans’ cemeteries as part of the nationwide “Wreaths Across America” mission.
Perdue Transportation Inc. driver Keith Clark delivered more than 3,800 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, on Dec. 12. The load is part of more than 23,600 wreaths that 11 Perdue truckers are transporting from Maine to 11 veterans’ cemeteries in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New York and Virginia. Some of the stops include Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the U.S. Military Academy West Point Cemetery in New York.
“For me, it’s an absolute honor to be part of the Wreaths Across America mission and to honor and pay respect to the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Clark, an Air Force veteran. “This is my fourth year delivering wreaths to Arlington. I’m just so happy that Perdue supports this effort and gives me the opportunity to participate.”
Chairman Jim Perdue said, “I’m very proud of our drivers for their role in representing Perdue in the Wreaths Across America project. It’s important that we are able to recognize their contributions in this effort, but also for their own military service.
“When you think of the thousands of people who are serving in the military all around the world and the sacrifices that they and their families are making at this time of the year, the ability for us to help share and show respect for that sacrifice, especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, is really important,” said Perdue.
The Wreaths Across America mission is to place a holiday wreath at the graves markers at all veterans’ cemeteries across the country. For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Perdue Transportation Inc. driver Keith Clark delivered more than 3,800 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, on Dec. 12. The load is part of more than 23,600 wreaths that 11 Perdue truckers are transporting from Maine to 11 veterans’ cemeteries in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New York and Virginia. Some of the stops include Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the U.S. Military Academy West Point Cemetery in New York.
“For me, it’s an absolute honor to be part of the Wreaths Across America mission and to honor and pay respect to the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Clark, an Air Force veteran. “This is my fourth year delivering wreaths to Arlington. I’m just so happy that Perdue supports this effort and gives me the opportunity to participate.”
Chairman Jim Perdue said, “I’m very proud of our drivers for their role in representing Perdue in the Wreaths Across America project. It’s important that we are able to recognize their contributions in this effort, but also for their own military service.
“When you think of the thousands of people who are serving in the military all around the world and the sacrifices that they and their families are making at this time of the year, the ability for us to help share and show respect for that sacrifice, especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, is really important,” said Perdue.
The Wreaths Across America mission is to place a holiday wreath at the graves markers at all veterans’ cemeteries across the country. For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
PEDv becoming a notifiable disease in England
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus will become a notifiable disease in England, effective December 18. Pig keepers and veterinarians will be legally required to inform the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of any suspicion of the disease. The measure has been introduced by government at the request of pig industry bodies, including the National Pig Association (NPA).
If a test for PED virus proves positive, government action will be limited to informing industry, so that tracings can be carried out and improved biosecurity measures put in place. This is similar to the consensual Canadian approach to combatting the disease, which has proved effective, stated the NPA.
PED remains a significant threat to British pig-keepers. Outbreaks of high-impact strains caused up to 100 percent mortality in young pigs in the United States, knocking out around 10 percent of pig production in 2013-2014, and the disease has since spread to Ukraine. Even with milder European Union strains, piglet mortality as high as 70 percent has been reported.
NPA is calling the new measure “lightweight” notifiable because unlike with other notifiable diseases there will be no statutory movement controls, no compulsory slaughter and no blocks on exports.
Under the new legislation in England, APHA will be legally permitted to inform AHDB Pork — which is the agreed “appropriate organization” — in confidence of suspect and confirmed cases. AHDB Pork will then provide biosecurity guidance to the pig unit concerned. It will also carry out tracings and alert at-risk contacts as necessary.
The aim will be to prevent spread of PED virus and to eliminate the disease from the pig unit. There will be no requirement to slaughter affected animals.
PED virus has been made lightweight notifiable following an informal consultation process with the pig industry. NPA and others called for the measure so that any outbreak can be identified as quickly as possible, spread can be prevented, and the disease can then be eliminated from the unit concerned.
“The industry’s method of tackling the disease and ensuring it doesn't spread will be to introduce a raft of biosecurity measures,” said NPA chief executive Dr. Zoe Davies. “It worked in Canada and we are confident it will work here — as long as it is identified at the earliest possible stage.”
If a test for PED virus proves positive, government action will be limited to informing industry, so that tracings can be carried out and improved biosecurity measures put in place. This is similar to the consensual Canadian approach to combatting the disease, which has proved effective, stated the NPA.
PED remains a significant threat to British pig-keepers. Outbreaks of high-impact strains caused up to 100 percent mortality in young pigs in the United States, knocking out around 10 percent of pig production in 2013-2014, and the disease has since spread to Ukraine. Even with milder European Union strains, piglet mortality as high as 70 percent has been reported.
NPA is calling the new measure “lightweight” notifiable because unlike with other notifiable diseases there will be no statutory movement controls, no compulsory slaughter and no blocks on exports.
Under the new legislation in England, APHA will be legally permitted to inform AHDB Pork — which is the agreed “appropriate organization” — in confidence of suspect and confirmed cases. AHDB Pork will then provide biosecurity guidance to the pig unit concerned. It will also carry out tracings and alert at-risk contacts as necessary.
The aim will be to prevent spread of PED virus and to eliminate the disease from the pig unit. There will be no requirement to slaughter affected animals.
PED virus has been made lightweight notifiable following an informal consultation process with the pig industry. NPA and others called for the measure so that any outbreak can be identified as quickly as possible, spread can be prevented, and the disease can then be eliminated from the unit concerned.
“The industry’s method of tackling the disease and ensuring it doesn't spread will be to introduce a raft of biosecurity measures,” said NPA chief executive Dr. Zoe Davies. “It worked in Canada and we are confident it will work here — as long as it is identified at the earliest possible stage.”
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