//31 Jan 2012
Pfizer Animal Health announces the promotion of Scott Webster, M.S., to director for the Improvest (gonadotropin releasing factor analog-diphtheria toxoid conjugate) team. He will provide leadership to the Improvest team and be responsible for outreach to customers, retailers and industry stakeholders.
Webster joined Pfizer Animal Health's U.S. Pork Business Unit as quality assurance manager in 2009. In this role, he developed and managed a team that ensured comprehensive quality assurance protocols were properly implemented for Improvest programs.
"Scott has made tremendous contributions during the launch of Improvest," says Gloria Basse, group director, U.S. Pork Business Unit. "He led the team that developed the unprecedented farm-to-market quality assurance program that ensures pork from pigs given Improvest continues to meet the same high quality standards consumers enjoy today."
Prior to joining Pfizer Animal Health in 2009, Webster was vice president of production operations at Murphy-Brown LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Smithfield Foods). He held positions of increasing responsibility during 17 years with various companies in the Smithfield Foods current holdings. He was also a nutritional consultant for DeKalb Feeds, Inc. Webster earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in animal science from the University of Missouri.
Webster is filling the Improvest team lead position vacated by Dr. Jim Bradford who, after a distinguished 39-year career in the veterinary industry, retired from Pfizer Animal Health at the end of 2011.
"Jim has made tremendous contributions to Pfizer Animal Health and is a credit to his profession," says Basse. "He continuously strives for excellence and always keeps the customer and the pork industry's best interests in mind. He will truly be missed for not only his professional contributions, but also his supportive nature, sense of integrity and ability to collaborate across boundaries."
Improvest is an FDA-approved veterinarian prescription immunological castration product that is a safe and effective alternative to surgical castration to manage unpleasant aromas that can occur in pork from some male pigs. It is a protein compound that uses the pig's own immune system to temporarily provide the same effect as surgical castration, but much later in a pig's life.
Important Safety Information
Improvest is only available by prescription from a veterinarian because professional expertise is required to properly administer the product and due to the significant impact on human reproductive function if self-injected. There is no risk of these effects on an individual who consumes pork from pigs given Improvest.
** Additional product information is available here.
31 January 2012
Elanco Animal Health: Lilly agrees to acquire ChemGen Corp.
//31 Jan 2012
Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, announced that Lilly has signed an agreement to acquire ChemGen Corp., a privately held bioscience company specialising in the development and commercialisation of innovative feed enzyme products that improve the efficiency of poultry, egg, and meat production.
eed enzymes are naturally occurring digestive enhancers that can help animals unlock and better use nutrients in the feed that were otherwise unavailable.
The acquisition will provide Elanco with a portfolio of leading feed enzyme products, as well as a pipeline of innovative compounds in development. ChemGen will continue research and administrative operations at its current location in Gaithersburg, Maryland and manufacturing activities at its facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, as well as its present sales and field service operations. Upon closing of the transaction, ChemGen will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly and an operating unit of Elanco.
"Meeting the growing demand for food is one of the most critical issues of our time. The acquisition of ChemGen and its premiere enzyme business further underscores Elanco's commitment to provide our customers with leading animal productivity solutions," said Jeff Simmons, senior vice president of Eli Lilly and Company and president of Elanco Animal Health.
ChemGen's strong presence in the poultry and swine markets in North America and Asia is well suited to Elanco's existing business, while Elanco's presence in Latin America and Europe represent growth opportunities. Given Elanco's global footprint, customer relationships, and market knowledge, we are well positioned to continue to grow product sales, as well as expand to new customers and geographies."
William Weldon, vice president of Elanco research and development added, "Meeting the growing demand for food requires us to develop and commercialize technology that improves the ability of livestock to get the most out of every pound of feed and natural resources used in production. Elanco is excited to combine our experience and approach in product development, fermentation and protein production with ChemGen's expertise in the development and commercialization of feed enzymes."
Bernie Treidl, president of ChemGen said, "Enzymes are naturally-occurring proteins that have been widely used and accepted in many industries for decades. ChemGen has been at work over the past 25 years improving the manufacturing and delivery process of enzymes for feed uses. Our focus at ChemGen is to develop innovative feed enzyme products, which aligns well with Elanco's goal of using technology solutions to meet the world's growing demand for food. My team at ChemGen looks forward to joining Elanco and working together to meet that goal."
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012, contingent upon clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. JPMorgan served as financial advisor to Lilly, while Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to ChemGen.
Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, announced that Lilly has signed an agreement to acquire ChemGen Corp., a privately held bioscience company specialising in the development and commercialisation of innovative feed enzyme products that improve the efficiency of poultry, egg, and meat production.
eed enzymes are naturally occurring digestive enhancers that can help animals unlock and better use nutrients in the feed that were otherwise unavailable.
The acquisition will provide Elanco with a portfolio of leading feed enzyme products, as well as a pipeline of innovative compounds in development. ChemGen will continue research and administrative operations at its current location in Gaithersburg, Maryland and manufacturing activities at its facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, as well as its present sales and field service operations. Upon closing of the transaction, ChemGen will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly and an operating unit of Elanco.
"Meeting the growing demand for food is one of the most critical issues of our time. The acquisition of ChemGen and its premiere enzyme business further underscores Elanco's commitment to provide our customers with leading animal productivity solutions," said Jeff Simmons, senior vice president of Eli Lilly and Company and president of Elanco Animal Health.
ChemGen's strong presence in the poultry and swine markets in North America and Asia is well suited to Elanco's existing business, while Elanco's presence in Latin America and Europe represent growth opportunities. Given Elanco's global footprint, customer relationships, and market knowledge, we are well positioned to continue to grow product sales, as well as expand to new customers and geographies."
William Weldon, vice president of Elanco research and development added, "Meeting the growing demand for food requires us to develop and commercialize technology that improves the ability of livestock to get the most out of every pound of feed and natural resources used in production. Elanco is excited to combine our experience and approach in product development, fermentation and protein production with ChemGen's expertise in the development and commercialization of feed enzymes."
Bernie Treidl, president of ChemGen said, "Enzymes are naturally-occurring proteins that have been widely used and accepted in many industries for decades. ChemGen has been at work over the past 25 years improving the manufacturing and delivery process of enzymes for feed uses. Our focus at ChemGen is to develop innovative feed enzyme products, which aligns well with Elanco's goal of using technology solutions to meet the world's growing demand for food. My team at ChemGen looks forward to joining Elanco and working together to meet that goal."
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012, contingent upon clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. JPMorgan served as financial advisor to Lilly, while Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to ChemGen.
Classical Swine Fever a threat to Belize
//31 Jan 2012
On the border with Belize is Guatemala, where a major outbreak of Classical Swine Fever has been detected. Due to the proximity, Belize is under threat and adopting strict measures to prevent its introduction into the country.
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have issued an alert informing the public about Guatemala’s outbreak and the current threat to Belize. The public have also be asked to notify officials if they spot any pig disease symptoms or problems.
Belize is considered free of Classical Swine Fever, therefore there are measures currently being undertaken to prevent the introduction and spread of Classical Swine Fever to Belize.
BAHA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture are making major efforts to not see the disease enter the country. The measures currently being carried out include: public awareness, movement control, 24 hours inspection at the border, active surveillance in high risk areas, improved bio-security at farms, prohibition of the importation of live pigs and pork products from Guatemala and the cleaning and disinfection of trucks used for transporting livestock to Guatemala.
Source: belizean.com
On the border with Belize is Guatemala, where a major outbreak of Classical Swine Fever has been detected. Due to the proximity, Belize is under threat and adopting strict measures to prevent its introduction into the country.
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have issued an alert informing the public about Guatemala’s outbreak and the current threat to Belize. The public have also be asked to notify officials if they spot any pig disease symptoms or problems.
Belize is considered free of Classical Swine Fever, therefore there are measures currently being undertaken to prevent the introduction and spread of Classical Swine Fever to Belize.
BAHA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture are making major efforts to not see the disease enter the country. The measures currently being carried out include: public awareness, movement control, 24 hours inspection at the border, active surveillance in high risk areas, improved bio-security at farms, prohibition of the importation of live pigs and pork products from Guatemala and the cleaning and disinfection of trucks used for transporting livestock to Guatemala.
Source: belizean.com
30 January 2012
EU in 2011: Pork exports up, imports down
//27 Jan 2012
Pork imports into the European Union came down in 2011 in comparison with one year earlier. Exports from the EU, however, went up by over 20%.
Figures, released by the European Commission, showed that the EU imported about 15% less pork than one year earlier. The largest volume of pork was imported from Switzerland (15,929 tonnes), followed by Chile (8,186 tonne) and the United States (5,559 tonne). Total import value until November 2011 was €43.4 million.
In contrast, exports from the EU grew strongly by 20.5% to a volume of 2.96 million tonnes of pork. Major shares went to Russia (788,788 tonnes), followed by Hong Kong (509,979 tonnes) and China (362,687 tonnes).
The total pork export value amounted to about €4.6 billion.
Related website:
European Commission
Pork imports into the European Union came down in 2011 in comparison with one year earlier. Exports from the EU, however, went up by over 20%.
Figures, released by the European Commission, showed that the EU imported about 15% less pork than one year earlier. The largest volume of pork was imported from Switzerland (15,929 tonnes), followed by Chile (8,186 tonne) and the United States (5,559 tonne). Total import value until November 2011 was €43.4 million.
In contrast, exports from the EU grew strongly by 20.5% to a volume of 2.96 million tonnes of pork. Major shares went to Russia (788,788 tonnes), followed by Hong Kong (509,979 tonnes) and China (362,687 tonnes).
The total pork export value amounted to about €4.6 billion.
Related website:
European Commission
Welfare of pigs can now scientifically be measured
//27 Jan 2012
Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of pigs are effective and should be used wherever possible, according to recent scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Recommendations of EFSA’s Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) are presented alongside a ‘toolbox’ from which scientists, veterinarians and farmers can select the appropriate animal-based measures for carrying out a welfare assessment of pigs.
The opinion on pigs is the first in a series of work on animal-based measures that will ultimately cover all farm species (the opinion for dairy cows is also ready).
The opinion supports the implementation of the recently adopted EU Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015.
New assessment
The use of animal-based measures to assess animal welfare is relatively new. Legislation related to the protection of animals usually focuses on the assessment of different factors that can impact on welfare rather than on the animal’s response to these factors.
Such factors may include both the resources available to the animal in its environment, for example space or bedding material, or the practices used to manage the animal on the farm, such as how and when the farmer feeds the animal or the procedures in place for weaning.
For example, current EU rules require that air circulation, dust levels, temperature and humidity in buildings that house farm animals must be kept within certain limits but they do not require measurements to be taken of the animal’s response to these factors.
Animal responses
The AHAW Panel’s latest scientific advice looks at the effectiveness of assessing the responses of the animal to factors in its environment as an alternative or sometimes complementary approach to assessing the factors themselves.
The rationale for this approach is that animal-based measures aim to directly determine the actual welfare status of the animal and therefore include both the effect of the environment as well as how the animal is managed.
The Panel concludes that animal-based measures can be effectively used to evaluate the welfare of pigs and dairy cows on farms.
Toolbox
The opinion also lays out a ‘toolbox’ approach, giving scientists, veterinarians and farmers a list of animal-based measures from which to tailor their own welfare assessment.
The AHAW Panel also notes that non-animal-based measures should continue to be used when it is clear that they will prevent animal welfare issues, for example the presence of sharp objects or protrusions in animal housing.
EFSA will present its recent work on animal welfare risk assessment at an international conference in Brussels (29 February - 1 March 2012) organised by the EC and the EU Danish presidency, entitled: “Implementing animal welfare through the new EU strategy: consumer empowerment and market opportunities”.
•Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare in pigs
•EU’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015
Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of pigs are effective and should be used wherever possible, according to recent scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Recommendations of EFSA’s Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) are presented alongside a ‘toolbox’ from which scientists, veterinarians and farmers can select the appropriate animal-based measures for carrying out a welfare assessment of pigs.
The opinion on pigs is the first in a series of work on animal-based measures that will ultimately cover all farm species (the opinion for dairy cows is also ready).
The opinion supports the implementation of the recently adopted EU Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015.
New assessment
The use of animal-based measures to assess animal welfare is relatively new. Legislation related to the protection of animals usually focuses on the assessment of different factors that can impact on welfare rather than on the animal’s response to these factors.
Such factors may include both the resources available to the animal in its environment, for example space or bedding material, or the practices used to manage the animal on the farm, such as how and when the farmer feeds the animal or the procedures in place for weaning.
For example, current EU rules require that air circulation, dust levels, temperature and humidity in buildings that house farm animals must be kept within certain limits but they do not require measurements to be taken of the animal’s response to these factors.
Animal responses
The AHAW Panel’s latest scientific advice looks at the effectiveness of assessing the responses of the animal to factors in its environment as an alternative or sometimes complementary approach to assessing the factors themselves.
The rationale for this approach is that animal-based measures aim to directly determine the actual welfare status of the animal and therefore include both the effect of the environment as well as how the animal is managed.
The Panel concludes that animal-based measures can be effectively used to evaluate the welfare of pigs and dairy cows on farms.
Toolbox
The opinion also lays out a ‘toolbox’ approach, giving scientists, veterinarians and farmers a list of animal-based measures from which to tailor their own welfare assessment.
The AHAW Panel also notes that non-animal-based measures should continue to be used when it is clear that they will prevent animal welfare issues, for example the presence of sharp objects or protrusions in animal housing.
EFSA will present its recent work on animal welfare risk assessment at an international conference in Brussels (29 February - 1 March 2012) organised by the EC and the EU Danish presidency, entitled: “Implementing animal welfare through the new EU strategy: consumer empowerment and market opportunities”.
•Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare in pigs
•EU’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015
New facility certification program for US pet food sector
//27 Jan 2012
At AFIA’s Pet Food Conference in Atlanta, Ga., American Feed Industry Association announced a new third-party facility certification program designed specifically for manufacturing pet food and pet food ingredients.
The Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program (PFMFCP) and the Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program (PFIFCP) were developed by AFIA’s pet food and quality committees with input from third-party food safety experts.
These two programs build upon AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food program, and are designed to monitor the process controls specifically related to the manufacturing of pet food.
“AFIA sees this as a model program for the entire pet food industry,” according to Joel G. Newman, AFIA’s president and CEO. “I commend the pet food committee for developing this program to help ‘raise the bar’ for their own industry.”
FDA recognition
The PFMF and PFIF certification programs were designed to meet and in some parts exceed the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act regulations.
AFIA is seeking recognition from the Food and Drug Administration of these programs and is encouraged that FDA may use these programs in their risk assessment of the industry for inspection priorities.
“In 2004 AFIA launched the first third-party feed facility certification program, Safe Feed/Safe Food program, addressing the needs of the feed industry. And then in 2010 the International Safe Feed/Safe Food program was added to provide a tool for companies that wish to meet the EU requirements. Now today, adding the Pet Food Facility program to the family of third-party certification program makes sense not only for our members, but for the pet food industry,” stated Newman.
For additional information on any of the third-party certification programs, visit www.safefeedsafefood.org.
At AFIA’s Pet Food Conference in Atlanta, Ga., American Feed Industry Association announced a new third-party facility certification program designed specifically for manufacturing pet food and pet food ingredients.
The Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program (PFMFCP) and the Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program (PFIFCP) were developed by AFIA’s pet food and quality committees with input from third-party food safety experts.
These two programs build upon AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food program, and are designed to monitor the process controls specifically related to the manufacturing of pet food.
“AFIA sees this as a model program for the entire pet food industry,” according to Joel G. Newman, AFIA’s president and CEO. “I commend the pet food committee for developing this program to help ‘raise the bar’ for their own industry.”
FDA recognition
The PFMF and PFIF certification programs were designed to meet and in some parts exceed the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act regulations.
AFIA is seeking recognition from the Food and Drug Administration of these programs and is encouraged that FDA may use these programs in their risk assessment of the industry for inspection priorities.
“In 2004 AFIA launched the first third-party feed facility certification program, Safe Feed/Safe Food program, addressing the needs of the feed industry. And then in 2010 the International Safe Feed/Safe Food program was added to provide a tool for companies that wish to meet the EU requirements. Now today, adding the Pet Food Facility program to the family of third-party certification program makes sense not only for our members, but for the pet food industry,” stated Newman.
For additional information on any of the third-party certification programs, visit www.safefeedsafefood.org.
Broken lock adds millions to costs of feed miller
//30 Jan 2012
Feed manufacturer ForFarmers is encountering damages of up to €50,000 per day due to a broken door in a lock between the IJssel River and the Twente Canal which is the main route for their supply of raw materials.
Early January one of the doors in the lock broke from its hinges and since then all ship traffic is on hold.
In the Twente Canal three locks operate to take care of a height of 21 meters to bridge. The first lock from the IJssel River into the canal broke down. Since the canal is a dead end, there is no route around.
ForFarmers has three feed mills alongside the canal and about half way there is also a grain terminal located. All raw materials have now to be shipped by truck, which adds about €50,000 extra transport costs per day for the company, said Jos Westerhof, spokesman of ForFarmers.
“Luckily at this time year thing are a bit slow in truck hauling, so the transport vehicles were readily available, but it makes quite a difference if you have to unload a truck of 30 tonnes or a ship of 3,000 tonnes,” he adds. The company works 24/7 to get all the raw materials delivered.
Not only the companies that depend on barge transport suffer, but the ship owners do as well, because they cannot enter the canal or – even worse – cannot exit the canal.
Dutch minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Melanie Schultz, has promised to partly compensate damages of ship owners and haulers.
The owner of the lock, Dutch Government Waterways, has jury rigged a temporary door for the lock, which allows up to 80% of the water traffic to pass, but when the new door arrives the lock will have to close down again. In total, repair time is estimated to take another 2 weeks.
Feed manufacturer ForFarmers is encountering damages of up to €50,000 per day due to a broken door in a lock between the IJssel River and the Twente Canal which is the main route for their supply of raw materials.
Early January one of the doors in the lock broke from its hinges and since then all ship traffic is on hold.
In the Twente Canal three locks operate to take care of a height of 21 meters to bridge. The first lock from the IJssel River into the canal broke down. Since the canal is a dead end, there is no route around.
ForFarmers has three feed mills alongside the canal and about half way there is also a grain terminal located. All raw materials have now to be shipped by truck, which adds about €50,000 extra transport costs per day for the company, said Jos Westerhof, spokesman of ForFarmers.
“Luckily at this time year thing are a bit slow in truck hauling, so the transport vehicles were readily available, but it makes quite a difference if you have to unload a truck of 30 tonnes or a ship of 3,000 tonnes,” he adds. The company works 24/7 to get all the raw materials delivered.
Not only the companies that depend on barge transport suffer, but the ship owners do as well, because they cannot enter the canal or – even worse – cannot exit the canal.
Dutch minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Melanie Schultz, has promised to partly compensate damages of ship owners and haulers.
The owner of the lock, Dutch Government Waterways, has jury rigged a temporary door for the lock, which allows up to 80% of the water traffic to pass, but when the new door arrives the lock will have to close down again. In total, repair time is estimated to take another 2 weeks.
Clean Feed: Using vegetable by-products for animal feed
//30 Jan 2012
AZTI-Tecnalia in Spain has successfully completed the second of three phases to characterise by-products as set out in the Clean Feed project with the aim to use vegetable by-products that are generated in the distribution sector and in the production and transformation processes of the foodstuffs industry, and incorporate them into animal feed.
The function of the R+D centre is to characterise and classify the by-products that have the best characteristics so that they can be used for animal consumption.
"Clean Feed" is funded by the European Union’s Life+ Programme and co-funded by the Directorate for Food Innovation and Industry and the Directorate for Environmental Quality of the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community.
The project is crucially important in the aim to prevent biodegradable products ending up in rubbish dumps.
In the BAC-Basque Autonomous Community, about three quarters of the more than 25,000 tonnes of vegetable products and by-products generated ends up in the rubbish tips.
To contribute towards mitigating this situation, AZTI-Tecnalia is working to characterise the various vegetable fractions produced in the BAC by drawing up a ‘generation inventory’, and carrying out sampling and laboratory analyses.
All this is designed to see whether the various vegetable by-products are suitable for incorporation into animal feed.
Potential sources
The various sectors of the foodstuffs industry that generate vegetable by-products are potato (29.6%), wine (27.7%), distribution (16.6%), cider (13.8 %), bread (11.3%), fruit and vegetable (0.8%) and coffee (0.1%).
AZTI-Tecnalia has exhaustively gathered information from these sectors in terms of the quantities, generation characteristics and current management of their by-products.
Providing a technical solution
The results of the analyses in the first of three phases of the sampling, which have yet to be confirmed by the analyses in the other two phases, highlight the high level of humidity in excess of 80%, low values of protein and fat, less than 1% in both cases, as well as about 5% in total sugars and 1-2% in total fibre.
As regards the presence of undesirable substances, no abnormal values have been highlighted.
Apart from the analytical studies, the Clean Feed project aims to provide a technical solution for these by-products and carry out a full-scale pilot experience that will allow it to be validated and fine-tuned.
The aim is to develop an effective, viable plan of action for the handling, processing, management and monitoring of the vegetable fractions for their use in animal feed.
Also participating in the project alongside AZTI-Tecnalia are the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community (region), the Basque Foundation for Food Safety Elika, and Tecnalia’s Industrial Systems Unit.
AZTI-Tecnalia in Spain has successfully completed the second of three phases to characterise by-products as set out in the Clean Feed project with the aim to use vegetable by-products that are generated in the distribution sector and in the production and transformation processes of the foodstuffs industry, and incorporate them into animal feed.
The function of the R+D centre is to characterise and classify the by-products that have the best characteristics so that they can be used for animal consumption.
"Clean Feed" is funded by the European Union’s Life+ Programme and co-funded by the Directorate for Food Innovation and Industry and the Directorate for Environmental Quality of the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community.
The project is crucially important in the aim to prevent biodegradable products ending up in rubbish dumps.
In the BAC-Basque Autonomous Community, about three quarters of the more than 25,000 tonnes of vegetable products and by-products generated ends up in the rubbish tips.
To contribute towards mitigating this situation, AZTI-Tecnalia is working to characterise the various vegetable fractions produced in the BAC by drawing up a ‘generation inventory’, and carrying out sampling and laboratory analyses.
All this is designed to see whether the various vegetable by-products are suitable for incorporation into animal feed.
Potential sources
The various sectors of the foodstuffs industry that generate vegetable by-products are potato (29.6%), wine (27.7%), distribution (16.6%), cider (13.8 %), bread (11.3%), fruit and vegetable (0.8%) and coffee (0.1%).
AZTI-Tecnalia has exhaustively gathered information from these sectors in terms of the quantities, generation characteristics and current management of their by-products.
Providing a technical solution
The results of the analyses in the first of three phases of the sampling, which have yet to be confirmed by the analyses in the other two phases, highlight the high level of humidity in excess of 80%, low values of protein and fat, less than 1% in both cases, as well as about 5% in total sugars and 1-2% in total fibre.
As regards the presence of undesirable substances, no abnormal values have been highlighted.
Apart from the analytical studies, the Clean Feed project aims to provide a technical solution for these by-products and carry out a full-scale pilot experience that will allow it to be validated and fine-tuned.
The aim is to develop an effective, viable plan of action for the handling, processing, management and monitoring of the vegetable fractions for their use in animal feed.
Also participating in the project alongside AZTI-Tecnalia are the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community (region), the Basque Foundation for Food Safety Elika, and Tecnalia’s Industrial Systems Unit.
Elanco acquires enzyme maker ChemGen
//30 Jan 2012
Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company has acquired ChemGen Corp., a privately held bioscience company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative feed enzyme products that improve the efficiency of poultry, egg, and meat production.
The acquisition will provide Elanco with a portfolio of leading feed enzyme products, as well as a pipeline of innovative compounds in development.
ChemGen will continue research and administrative operations at its current location in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA and manufacturing activities at its facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, as well as its present sales and field service operations.
Upon closing of the transaction, ChemGen will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly and an operating unit of Elanco.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012, contingent upon clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company has acquired ChemGen Corp., a privately held bioscience company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative feed enzyme products that improve the efficiency of poultry, egg, and meat production.
The acquisition will provide Elanco with a portfolio of leading feed enzyme products, as well as a pipeline of innovative compounds in development.
ChemGen will continue research and administrative operations at its current location in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA and manufacturing activities at its facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, as well as its present sales and field service operations.
Upon closing of the transaction, ChemGen will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly and an operating unit of Elanco.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012, contingent upon clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Thai CP Foods sees higher 2012 sales after acquisition
//27 Jan 2012
Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thailand's largest agribusiness company, expects sales in 2012 to exceed 300 billion baht ($9.55 billion), boosted by its purchase of a Hong Kong affiliate, its president said according to Reuters news agency.
CP Foods agreed to buy 74.2% of Hong Kong-listed CP Pokphand Co Ltd (CPP) for $2.1 billion in November last year.
The acquisition of the majority stake will help CP Foods expand in China and Vietnam. In particular, it will get access to 28 provinces in China.
The deal will also allow for better synergy between its animal feeds and farming businesses.
"We are seeing stronger sales growth this year, driven by the acquisition of CP Pokphand," President Adirek Sripratak told reporters, adding the company had completed the purchase on Jan. 18.
"We should start booking gains from this deal in the first quarter, either in February or March."
Established in 1987, CPP is the second-largest animal feed business in China and operates under the Chia Tai brand name. In Vietnam, it is the largest player in the feed business for poultry and swine farms.
"Sales this year are projected to top the 210-220 billion baht we made in 2011. There are good prospects in both markets. They're highly populated countries with strong economic growth. They will be good markets for us."
Once completed, the acquisition would make CP Foods the top listed livestock and aquaculture company in the Asia-Pacific region.
Food price increase
Adirek said food prices were expected to rise globally on the back of high oil prices and increasingly volatile weather conditions.
CP Foods' billionaire chairman, Dhanin Chearavanont, ranked Thailand's richest man by Forbes magazine last year, has been investing in farms and factories in India, Turkey and Russia to tap growing food demand.
Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thailand's largest agribusiness company, expects sales in 2012 to exceed 300 billion baht ($9.55 billion), boosted by its purchase of a Hong Kong affiliate, its president said according to Reuters news agency.
CP Foods agreed to buy 74.2% of Hong Kong-listed CP Pokphand Co Ltd (CPP) for $2.1 billion in November last year.
The acquisition of the majority stake will help CP Foods expand in China and Vietnam. In particular, it will get access to 28 provinces in China.
The deal will also allow for better synergy between its animal feeds and farming businesses.
"We are seeing stronger sales growth this year, driven by the acquisition of CP Pokphand," President Adirek Sripratak told reporters, adding the company had completed the purchase on Jan. 18.
"We should start booking gains from this deal in the first quarter, either in February or March."
Established in 1987, CPP is the second-largest animal feed business in China and operates under the Chia Tai brand name. In Vietnam, it is the largest player in the feed business for poultry and swine farms.
"Sales this year are projected to top the 210-220 billion baht we made in 2011. There are good prospects in both markets. They're highly populated countries with strong economic growth. They will be good markets for us."
Once completed, the acquisition would make CP Foods the top listed livestock and aquaculture company in the Asia-Pacific region.
Food price increase
Adirek said food prices were expected to rise globally on the back of high oil prices and increasingly volatile weather conditions.
CP Foods' billionaire chairman, Dhanin Chearavanont, ranked Thailand's richest man by Forbes magazine last year, has been investing in farms and factories in India, Turkey and Russia to tap growing food demand.
25 January 2012
Bird flu and tax big blow to Bangladeshi poultry industry
//25 Jan 2012
The Bangladeshi poultry industry has demanded waiver of "turnover tax" on their businesses amid spread of the Avian influenza virus attack and higher import cost because of US dollar appreciation, industry people said.
They said if the poultry feed millers need to pay the newly imposed tax on their total sales during the current volatility of the poultry business due to attack of bird flu virus on the farms, they will fail to survive.
The government has imposed 0.5% tax on the turnover of the poultry feed millers from the current fiscal (2011-12). The poultry enterprises are paying 5% advance income tax (AIT) on imported maize and 5% import duty on pelleted feeds.
Tax blow
Md. Saiful Alam Khan, chief of a leading local poultry feed manufacturer Agro Industrial Trust (AIT), said though most of the poultry enterprises and farmers are facing losses due to outbreak of the bird flu, imposition of the turnover tax is a big blow to the struggling sub-sector.
"What a ridiculous policy of the government! If we face loss, we have to pay taxes on our total sales. How will we continue our business in this situation?" he asked.
Poultry owners claimed that hundreds of farms in the country had already been shut down in 2011 due to comeback of the bird flu virus after a deadly attack in 2007 and 2008 calendar years.
"Since we need big investments to run poultry feed manufacturing units, our turnover is also high. So, we need to pay a large margin of our sales to the state," said Alam Khan, also the president of the Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB).
Moshiur Rahman, owner of Paragon Group, said, "the finance minister in his last budget speech pledged not to impose turnover tax, but the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently served us notice to pay the tax which is a burden on the struggling poultry sub-sector."
Moshiur Rahman, also the convener of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Coordination Committee (BPICC), said the government has extended the tax exemption on poultry industry up to 2013 when imposition of the turnover tax on the struggling industry is unjustified.
Poultry sector leaders urged the finance minister to take necessary steps to withdraw the turnover tax to facilitate smooth supply of chicken and eggs at competitive price in the domestic market.
The Bangladeshi poultry industry has demanded waiver of "turnover tax" on their businesses amid spread of the Avian influenza virus attack and higher import cost because of US dollar appreciation, industry people said.
They said if the poultry feed millers need to pay the newly imposed tax on their total sales during the current volatility of the poultry business due to attack of bird flu virus on the farms, they will fail to survive.
The government has imposed 0.5% tax on the turnover of the poultry feed millers from the current fiscal (2011-12). The poultry enterprises are paying 5% advance income tax (AIT) on imported maize and 5% import duty on pelleted feeds.
Tax blow
Md. Saiful Alam Khan, chief of a leading local poultry feed manufacturer Agro Industrial Trust (AIT), said though most of the poultry enterprises and farmers are facing losses due to outbreak of the bird flu, imposition of the turnover tax is a big blow to the struggling sub-sector.
"What a ridiculous policy of the government! If we face loss, we have to pay taxes on our total sales. How will we continue our business in this situation?" he asked.
Poultry owners claimed that hundreds of farms in the country had already been shut down in 2011 due to comeback of the bird flu virus after a deadly attack in 2007 and 2008 calendar years.
"Since we need big investments to run poultry feed manufacturing units, our turnover is also high. So, we need to pay a large margin of our sales to the state," said Alam Khan, also the president of the Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB).
Moshiur Rahman, owner of Paragon Group, said, "the finance minister in his last budget speech pledged not to impose turnover tax, but the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently served us notice to pay the tax which is a burden on the struggling poultry sub-sector."
Moshiur Rahman, also the convener of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Coordination Committee (BPICC), said the government has extended the tax exemption on poultry industry up to 2013 when imposition of the turnover tax on the struggling industry is unjustified.
Poultry sector leaders urged the finance minister to take necessary steps to withdraw the turnover tax to facilitate smooth supply of chicken and eggs at competitive price in the domestic market.
Indonesia in bird flu alert condition
//25 Jan 2012
The general director of directorate general of livestock and animal health of Indonesia, Syukur Iwantoro recently reminded the public to be wary of bird flu during this rainy season.
From 1 January to 20 January 2012, Iwantoro said that bird flu cases in poultry have been found in seven villages in seven districts in six provinces. The six provinces are Central Java (in Sragen and Brebes), East Java (in Lamongan), Riau (in Pekanbaru), East Kalimantan (in Panajam Paser Utara), Jambi (in Muaro Jambi) and South Sulawesi (in Sidrap).
“Of the six provinces, the number of dead birds is as much as 1,073 birds. The largest number is in Sidrap, a total of 723 laying hens died,” Iwantoro informed.
Concerning cases of bird flu in humans that occurs in Jakarta, the ministry of health has claimed that two people died of bird flu. The first, a 23 year old man, on 7 January 2012 and the second, a 5 year old girl, on 16 January 2012.
The general director of directorate general of livestock and animal health of Indonesia, Syukur Iwantoro recently reminded the public to be wary of bird flu during this rainy season.
From 1 January to 20 January 2012, Iwantoro said that bird flu cases in poultry have been found in seven villages in seven districts in six provinces. The six provinces are Central Java (in Sragen and Brebes), East Java (in Lamongan), Riau (in Pekanbaru), East Kalimantan (in Panajam Paser Utara), Jambi (in Muaro Jambi) and South Sulawesi (in Sidrap).
“Of the six provinces, the number of dead birds is as much as 1,073 birds. The largest number is in Sidrap, a total of 723 laying hens died,” Iwantoro informed.
Concerning cases of bird flu in humans that occurs in Jakarta, the ministry of health has claimed that two people died of bird flu. The first, a 23 year old man, on 7 January 2012 and the second, a 5 year old girl, on 16 January 2012.
23 January 2012
East Java to prevent bird flu
//23 Jan 2012
The agency of animal husbandry of the province of East Java girds itself for another onset of bird flu in the territory after a case of bird flu in Jakarta recently. East Java province is known as one of the broiler and egg production centers in Indonesia.
Head of the agency of animal husbandry of East Java province, Suparwoko Adisumarto, said that they have prepared about three million doses of bird flu vaccine for poultry and 133,000 liter of disinfectants. These vaccines and disinfectants will be distributed to 38 districts in East Java, according to Adisumarto.
Adisumarto added that they would also optimize their LDCC (Local Disease Control Centre) team to prevent bird flu in the 38 districts.
“The LDCC team of 250 people will directly monitor backyard and commercial poultry. They will report their findings to PDSR (Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response) team,” he said.
In 2011, the agency of animal husbandry of East Java province noted that there have been as many as 53 cases of bird flu in the territory with a total of 17,139 birds having been culled.
The OIE (The World Organisation for Animal Health) considers the prevalence of the H5N1 virus in Indonesia as endemic and unlikely to be contained, given the epidemiology that concludes that the source of the outbreaks is largely due to the illegal movement of animals.
Source: Arief
The agency of animal husbandry of the province of East Java girds itself for another onset of bird flu in the territory after a case of bird flu in Jakarta recently. East Java province is known as one of the broiler and egg production centers in Indonesia.
Head of the agency of animal husbandry of East Java province, Suparwoko Adisumarto, said that they have prepared about three million doses of bird flu vaccine for poultry and 133,000 liter of disinfectants. These vaccines and disinfectants will be distributed to 38 districts in East Java, according to Adisumarto.
Adisumarto added that they would also optimize their LDCC (Local Disease Control Centre) team to prevent bird flu in the 38 districts.
“The LDCC team of 250 people will directly monitor backyard and commercial poultry. They will report their findings to PDSR (Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response) team,” he said.
In 2011, the agency of animal husbandry of East Java province noted that there have been as many as 53 cases of bird flu in the territory with a total of 17,139 birds having been culled.
The OIE (The World Organisation for Animal Health) considers the prevalence of the H5N1 virus in Indonesia as endemic and unlikely to be contained, given the epidemiology that concludes that the source of the outbreaks is largely due to the illegal movement of animals.
Source: Arief
Avian flu up in India
//23 Jan 2012
The highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1 has shown itself once again, with two outbreaks in poultry farms in the state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) and one in a state run farm in the state of Meghalaya, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports. Both states are in east India.
Mr Rudhra Gangadaran, secretary to the government of India, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries of the ministry of agriculture, has reported two ongoing outbreaks in the state of Odisha and one in the state of Meghalaya.
The national high security animal disease laboratory in Bhopal confirmed that birds from the two backyard poultry farms tested positive for the two polymerase chain reaction tests and for the virus isolation test.
The epidemiological investigation is still ongoing, with closure of poultry markets in a 10-km radius of the outbreak sites, and prohibition of transport, which are standard procedures.
So far 31,921 birds have been destroyed from the two outbreak sites in Odisha.
In Meghalaya (under Bhutan, site of an H5N1 outbreak over the New Year) similar quarantine restrictions have been put in place, and 4,666 birds have been destroyed at the government-run farm.
Epidemiological investigations are still ongoing.
Source: OIE
The highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1 has shown itself once again, with two outbreaks in poultry farms in the state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) and one in a state run farm in the state of Meghalaya, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports. Both states are in east India.
Mr Rudhra Gangadaran, secretary to the government of India, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries of the ministry of agriculture, has reported two ongoing outbreaks in the state of Odisha and one in the state of Meghalaya.
The national high security animal disease laboratory in Bhopal confirmed that birds from the two backyard poultry farms tested positive for the two polymerase chain reaction tests and for the virus isolation test.
The epidemiological investigation is still ongoing, with closure of poultry markets in a 10-km radius of the outbreak sites, and prohibition of transport, which are standard procedures.
So far 31,921 birds have been destroyed from the two outbreak sites in Odisha.
In Meghalaya (under Bhutan, site of an H5N1 outbreak over the New Year) similar quarantine restrictions have been put in place, and 4,666 birds have been destroyed at the government-run farm.
Epidemiological investigations are still ongoing.
Source: OIE
UK poultry sector continues to consolidate
//20 Jan 2012
A select group of over 70 UK companies is expected to dominate the market in the poultry industry over the coming year, industry analysts have predicted, although the outlook remains positive for small companies.
Plimsoll Publishing's latest study analysed a total of 758 companies in the UK poultry industry and identified 76 companies that have achieved an average 17% growth in the last year, despite growth in the UK only averaging 5% over the previous two years. It also found that 62 had lost 9% of their market share as a consequence of those high-growth companies. The remaining 620 had only realised a 4% growth in sales over the last year.
"This is absolute evidence that whatever growth there is in the market is being captured by a select group of companies," said David Pattison, author of the new study. Pattison also suggested that the reason the 76 companies were growing was because they had a better understanding of the market.
Despite concerns larger companies are forcing out their smaller competitors, the study found growth was still being achieved by small, innovative companies too. The analysts found no clear correlation between size and growth. While larger companies - those turning over £50m or more - included some of the biggest growers, they were also most likely to be affected by a fall in market share.
The full 758-page financial report, including the companies' financial performance over the last four years, is now available in PDF format, for £350 (+VAT) from Plimsoll.
Source: Farmers Weekly
A select group of over 70 UK companies is expected to dominate the market in the poultry industry over the coming year, industry analysts have predicted, although the outlook remains positive for small companies.
Plimsoll Publishing's latest study analysed a total of 758 companies in the UK poultry industry and identified 76 companies that have achieved an average 17% growth in the last year, despite growth in the UK only averaging 5% over the previous two years. It also found that 62 had lost 9% of their market share as a consequence of those high-growth companies. The remaining 620 had only realised a 4% growth in sales over the last year.
"This is absolute evidence that whatever growth there is in the market is being captured by a select group of companies," said David Pattison, author of the new study. Pattison also suggested that the reason the 76 companies were growing was because they had a better understanding of the market.
Despite concerns larger companies are forcing out their smaller competitors, the study found growth was still being achieved by small, innovative companies too. The analysts found no clear correlation between size and growth. While larger companies - those turning over £50m or more - included some of the biggest growers, they were also most likely to be affected by a fall in market share.
The full 758-page financial report, including the companies' financial performance over the last four years, is now available in PDF format, for £350 (+VAT) from Plimsoll.
Source: Farmers Weekly
18 January 2012
Asia dominates global waterfowl production
//04 Nov 2011
On a global scale, consumption of waterfowl products is playing a minor role. Yet, production has grown considerably in recent decades. Asia is clearly taking the lead, with China undoubtedly in a dominating position.
By Dr Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst, University of Vechta, Germany
Even though numerous analyses on patterns and dynamics of hen egg and chicken meat production and trade are available, almost no studies on the development and recent patterns of waterfowl production and trade have been published. This may be due to the fact that the contribution of duck and goose meat to global poultry meat production was quite low with together 6.8 % in 2009. To fill this gap, a detailed analysis of the development of waterfowl production and trade between 1990 and 2009 was elaborated to identify spatial shifts, the formation of production centres and to document trade flows.
Waterfowl meat production 1990-2009
Between 1990 and 2009, duck and goose meat production increased from 1.9 to 6.3 million tonnes or by 239%. The data in Table 1 show that the production volume of goose meat increased faster than that of duck meat. Whereas in 1990 duck meat production was almost twice as high as that of goose meat, the difference was only 54% in 2009. Nevertheless the difference in production volumes grew from 600,000 tonnes (1990) to 1.4 million tonnes (2009). The growth rates between 1990 and 2000 were much higher than in the following decade. Quite obviously, the per capita consumption of these two poultry meat types did no longer grow as fast as in the first decade of the analysed time period. Figure 1 shows that the Avian Influenza outbreaks in the first half of the past decade caused a plateau in the continuous upward trend.
Increase almost everywhere
A closer look at the dynamics on the basis of single continents reveals that duck meat production increased in all continents with the exception of Central and South America (Table 2). Asia dominated production of this meat type with a share of 83.7% in 2009, followed by Europe with 11.8%. All other continents were of minor importance. Between 1990 and 2009 the contribution of Asian countries to global production increased by 12.9% whereas that of European countries declined by 6.3%.
In goose meat production (Table 3), the dominance of Asia was even higher. In 2009, this continent contributed 94.6% to the global production volume, 16.2% more than in 1990. Europe lost almost 80% of its former share. In Africa production increased by 18,000 tonnes, but the contribution of this continent to global goose meat production fell from 3.0% (1990) to 1.5% (2009).
A comparison of the dynamics shows that Asia could further strengthen its dominating position and that Europe, in spite of a considerable increase in duck meat production, was the main loser over the past two decades. Goose meat data always includes guinea fowl meat as the FAO does not show data for goose meat separate from guinea fowl meat.
China in dominating role
Of all waterfowl species ducks are the most important on a global scale.
A closer look at the dynamics per country shows that the regional concentration in duck meat production further increased in the analysed time period and that China was in a dominating position in 2009 with a share of over 69% of the global production volume (Table 4). France still ranked second place, followed by Malaysia and Myanmar. Malaysia’s production volume was three times higher in 2009 than in 1990. Myanmar was not to be found among the ten leading countries in 1990 and 2000, but in 2009 it ranked as number four. Six of the top ten duck meat producing countries were located in Asia, three in Europe and one in North America.
The regional concentration of global goose meat production was extremely high (Table 5). In 1990, China already dominated global production with a share of 76.2%. In the following two decades China’s contribution grew constantly and reached 94.1% in 2009. Four of the ten leading countries were located in Asia, two in Africa and four in Europe. A comparison of the leading countries in 1990 and 2009 shows that France, Germany and the United Kingdom were no longer ranked among the top ten countries. They were replaced by Italy, Myanmar and Iran. Hungary, ranked as number two in 1990 was surpassed by Egypt. The four European countries together contributed only 2.6 % to global goose meat production.
The dominating role of China can best be seen from the fact that this country shared 79% of the global production volume of duck and goose meat in 2009. All other countries were only of minor importance in comparison to the almost five million tonnes of waterfowl meat which China produced.
Patterns of meat trade
Over the past two decades China’s contribution in world goose production grew constantly and reached 94.1% in 2009.
In a second step, patterns of duck and goose meat exports and imports will be analysed per continent and country (Table 6). In 2008, only about 3% of global duck meat production reached international markets and less than 2% of the goose meat. Quite obviously most of the waterfowl meat was produced for domestic consumption.
Over 90% of the global duck meat exports in 2008 were contributed by Europe and Asia (Table 7). Northern American countries ranked third place with 8.3%. In imports, Asian countries shared 60.8% of the import volume, followed by Europe with 36.2%. Most of the trade in Europe was intra-EU trade. The Netherlands, Hungary, Germany and France were the leading exporting countries; Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic the main importing countries.
In goose meat exports, European and Asian countries shared almost 100% of the trade volume in 2008 with Europe in a leading position. Here, too, most of the trade was intra-EU trade as can be concluded from a comparison of the export and import data. All other continents were either of minor importance or did not export respectively import goose meat at all. Poland and Hungary were the leading exporting countries. Germany was the dominating importing country with a share of 72.5% of European imports.
Regional concentration
The analysis of the situation on a country level shows that the regional concentration in duck meat exports was much higher than in imports (Table 8). The four leading exporting countries shared almost 65% of the overall export volume, the three leading importing countries 60.2% of the import volume. Six of the top ranked exporting countries were located in Europe, two in Northern America and two in Asia. Of the then leading duck meat importing countries four were located in Asia and six in Europe. Asian and European countries are dominating trade with this poultry meat type. In global goose meat trade, the regional concentration was even higher (Table 9). The ten leading countries shared 99.8% of the global export volume and 93.1% of the imports. Poland, China and Hungary alone contributed 90.0% to global goose meat exports and Germany imported 68.4% of the goose meat which reached the world market. Eight of the leading exporting and importing countries were located in Europe. Here, too most of the goose meat was traded between EU member countries.
Reference: FAO database http://faostat.fao.org
Source: Source: World Poultry, Vol. 27, No. 9, 2011
On a global scale, consumption of waterfowl products is playing a minor role. Yet, production has grown considerably in recent decades. Asia is clearly taking the lead, with China undoubtedly in a dominating position.
By Dr Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst, University of Vechta, Germany
Even though numerous analyses on patterns and dynamics of hen egg and chicken meat production and trade are available, almost no studies on the development and recent patterns of waterfowl production and trade have been published. This may be due to the fact that the contribution of duck and goose meat to global poultry meat production was quite low with together 6.8 % in 2009. To fill this gap, a detailed analysis of the development of waterfowl production and trade between 1990 and 2009 was elaborated to identify spatial shifts, the formation of production centres and to document trade flows.
Waterfowl meat production 1990-2009
Between 1990 and 2009, duck and goose meat production increased from 1.9 to 6.3 million tonnes or by 239%. The data in Table 1 show that the production volume of goose meat increased faster than that of duck meat. Whereas in 1990 duck meat production was almost twice as high as that of goose meat, the difference was only 54% in 2009. Nevertheless the difference in production volumes grew from 600,000 tonnes (1990) to 1.4 million tonnes (2009). The growth rates between 1990 and 2000 were much higher than in the following decade. Quite obviously, the per capita consumption of these two poultry meat types did no longer grow as fast as in the first decade of the analysed time period. Figure 1 shows that the Avian Influenza outbreaks in the first half of the past decade caused a plateau in the continuous upward trend.
Increase almost everywhere
A closer look at the dynamics on the basis of single continents reveals that duck meat production increased in all continents with the exception of Central and South America (Table 2). Asia dominated production of this meat type with a share of 83.7% in 2009, followed by Europe with 11.8%. All other continents were of minor importance. Between 1990 and 2009 the contribution of Asian countries to global production increased by 12.9% whereas that of European countries declined by 6.3%.
In goose meat production (Table 3), the dominance of Asia was even higher. In 2009, this continent contributed 94.6% to the global production volume, 16.2% more than in 1990. Europe lost almost 80% of its former share. In Africa production increased by 18,000 tonnes, but the contribution of this continent to global goose meat production fell from 3.0% (1990) to 1.5% (2009).
A comparison of the dynamics shows that Asia could further strengthen its dominating position and that Europe, in spite of a considerable increase in duck meat production, was the main loser over the past two decades. Goose meat data always includes guinea fowl meat as the FAO does not show data for goose meat separate from guinea fowl meat.
China in dominating role
Of all waterfowl species ducks are the most important on a global scale.
A closer look at the dynamics per country shows that the regional concentration in duck meat production further increased in the analysed time period and that China was in a dominating position in 2009 with a share of over 69% of the global production volume (Table 4). France still ranked second place, followed by Malaysia and Myanmar. Malaysia’s production volume was three times higher in 2009 than in 1990. Myanmar was not to be found among the ten leading countries in 1990 and 2000, but in 2009 it ranked as number four. Six of the top ten duck meat producing countries were located in Asia, three in Europe and one in North America.
The regional concentration of global goose meat production was extremely high (Table 5). In 1990, China already dominated global production with a share of 76.2%. In the following two decades China’s contribution grew constantly and reached 94.1% in 2009. Four of the ten leading countries were located in Asia, two in Africa and four in Europe. A comparison of the leading countries in 1990 and 2009 shows that France, Germany and the United Kingdom were no longer ranked among the top ten countries. They were replaced by Italy, Myanmar and Iran. Hungary, ranked as number two in 1990 was surpassed by Egypt. The four European countries together contributed only 2.6 % to global goose meat production.
The dominating role of China can best be seen from the fact that this country shared 79% of the global production volume of duck and goose meat in 2009. All other countries were only of minor importance in comparison to the almost five million tonnes of waterfowl meat which China produced.
Patterns of meat trade
Over the past two decades China’s contribution in world goose production grew constantly and reached 94.1% in 2009.
In a second step, patterns of duck and goose meat exports and imports will be analysed per continent and country (Table 6). In 2008, only about 3% of global duck meat production reached international markets and less than 2% of the goose meat. Quite obviously most of the waterfowl meat was produced for domestic consumption.
Over 90% of the global duck meat exports in 2008 were contributed by Europe and Asia (Table 7). Northern American countries ranked third place with 8.3%. In imports, Asian countries shared 60.8% of the import volume, followed by Europe with 36.2%. Most of the trade in Europe was intra-EU trade. The Netherlands, Hungary, Germany and France were the leading exporting countries; Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic the main importing countries.
In goose meat exports, European and Asian countries shared almost 100% of the trade volume in 2008 with Europe in a leading position. Here, too, most of the trade was intra-EU trade as can be concluded from a comparison of the export and import data. All other continents were either of minor importance or did not export respectively import goose meat at all. Poland and Hungary were the leading exporting countries. Germany was the dominating importing country with a share of 72.5% of European imports.
Regional concentration
The analysis of the situation on a country level shows that the regional concentration in duck meat exports was much higher than in imports (Table 8). The four leading exporting countries shared almost 65% of the overall export volume, the three leading importing countries 60.2% of the import volume. Six of the top ranked exporting countries were located in Europe, two in Northern America and two in Asia. Of the then leading duck meat importing countries four were located in Asia and six in Europe. Asian and European countries are dominating trade with this poultry meat type. In global goose meat trade, the regional concentration was even higher (Table 9). The ten leading countries shared 99.8% of the global export volume and 93.1% of the imports. Poland, China and Hungary alone contributed 90.0% to global goose meat exports and Germany imported 68.4% of the goose meat which reached the world market. Eight of the leading exporting and importing countries were located in Europe. Here, too most of the goose meat was traded between EU member countries.
Reference: FAO database http://faostat.fao.org
Source: Source: World Poultry, Vol. 27, No. 9, 2011
Antibiotic-resistant chicken found in German supermarkets
//18 Jan 2012
Half of the fresh chickens bought in shops in five German cities have been contaminated by germs resistant to antibiotics, a recent survey concluded.
Bund (Friends of the Earth Germany), a German environmental group announced its findings that of 20 samples of chicken meat bought at supermarkets across the country, 12 were infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The group acquired its chicken at supermarkets in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Nuremberg and the Stuttgart region. The study found that ten samples contained E. coli that produces ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) enzymes, while two had MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria.
"The extent of the contamination of foodstuffs with hospital germs is a clear warning signal of the collateral damage of industrial animal farming," said Hubert Weiger, the organisation's chairman, in a statement, which calls for an end to industrial farming.
The results come as the government is preparing new laws to cut down on the use of antibiotics in livestock breeding.“The toughening of the legal regulation aims to reduce the use of antibiotics to the absolute minimum necessary for the treatment of animal diseases and increase the competence of local authorities,” said Holger Eichele the spokesman for the ministry for consumer protection.
Helmut Born, secretary general of the German Farmers' Association, dismissed this new study as fearmongering, and said that the study contained "no real new insights."
The environmental group has also acknowledged that the study was "not representative" of all chicken sold across the country, and called for further study by the German government.
Source: Euronews, Deutsche Welle
Half of the fresh chickens bought in shops in five German cities have been contaminated by germs resistant to antibiotics, a recent survey concluded.
Bund (Friends of the Earth Germany), a German environmental group announced its findings that of 20 samples of chicken meat bought at supermarkets across the country, 12 were infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The group acquired its chicken at supermarkets in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Nuremberg and the Stuttgart region. The study found that ten samples contained E. coli that produces ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) enzymes, while two had MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria.
"The extent of the contamination of foodstuffs with hospital germs is a clear warning signal of the collateral damage of industrial animal farming," said Hubert Weiger, the organisation's chairman, in a statement, which calls for an end to industrial farming.
The results come as the government is preparing new laws to cut down on the use of antibiotics in livestock breeding.“The toughening of the legal regulation aims to reduce the use of antibiotics to the absolute minimum necessary for the treatment of animal diseases and increase the competence of local authorities,” said Holger Eichele the spokesman for the ministry for consumer protection.
Helmut Born, secretary general of the German Farmers' Association, dismissed this new study as fearmongering, and said that the study contained "no real new insights."
The environmental group has also acknowledged that the study was "not representative" of all chicken sold across the country, and called for further study by the German government.
Source: Euronews, Deutsche Welle
16 January 2012
China - Pigs found to have Foot and Mouth disease
//10 Jan 2012
China has reported Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The disease was found in the province of Hubei, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
FMD was found in 24 pigs in Badong county, however, all 24 affected pigs including the 71 also present have been culled.
According to the ministry, the epidemic, is under control.
The pigs were first discovered to have FMD on the 27 December. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown.
Foot and Mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids. The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness.
It is a severe plague for animal farming, since it is highly infectious and can be spread by infected animals through aerosols, through contact with contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing or feed, and by domestic and wild predators. Its containment demands considerable efforts in vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions and quarantines, and occasionally the elimination of millions of animals.
Susceptible animals include cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, deer, and bison. (Wikipedia)
Source: Reuters
China has reported Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The disease was found in the province of Hubei, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
FMD was found in 24 pigs in Badong county, however, all 24 affected pigs including the 71 also present have been culled.
According to the ministry, the epidemic, is under control.
The pigs were first discovered to have FMD on the 27 December. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown.
Foot and Mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids. The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness.
It is a severe plague for animal farming, since it is highly infectious and can be spread by infected animals through aerosols, through contact with contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing or feed, and by domestic and wild predators. Its containment demands considerable efforts in vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions and quarantines, and occasionally the elimination of millions of animals.
Susceptible animals include cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, deer, and bison. (Wikipedia)
Source: Reuters
Paraguay: Vet services destroy cattle, pigs due to FMD
//13 Jan 2012
Paraguayan veterinary services have destroyed 168 livestock mostly belonging to a farm where an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was confirmed in early January in San Pedro county north of the country.
According to Senacsa (animal health and food quality service) 154 cattle from the ‘Nazareth’ farm were sacrificed together with another nine cattle and three swine from neighbouring paddocks. Livestock were terminated with the sanitary rifle used by the army and later buried in a common grave.
The farm is only 15 kilometres away from a farm where last September the first Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak forced the killing of 820 livestock.
On January 4, the Paraguayan government declared a state of animal sanitary emergency in the San Pedro region and activated the National Animal Sanitary Emergency System.
The issue was addressed by president Fernando Lugo during his weekly ministerial cabinet meeting yesterday since beef and soybeans are Paraguay's main sources of income.
Related website:
• Senacsa
Paraguayan veterinary services have destroyed 168 livestock mostly belonging to a farm where an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was confirmed in early January in San Pedro county north of the country.
According to Senacsa (animal health and food quality service) 154 cattle from the ‘Nazareth’ farm were sacrificed together with another nine cattle and three swine from neighbouring paddocks. Livestock were terminated with the sanitary rifle used by the army and later buried in a common grave.
The farm is only 15 kilometres away from a farm where last September the first Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak forced the killing of 820 livestock.
On January 4, the Paraguayan government declared a state of animal sanitary emergency in the San Pedro region and activated the National Animal Sanitary Emergency System.
The issue was addressed by president Fernando Lugo during his weekly ministerial cabinet meeting yesterday since beef and soybeans are Paraguay's main sources of income.
Related website:
• Senacsa
CP aiming at number one position in feed and shrimp
//13 Jan 2012
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) is on its way to becoming number one worldwide in both feed-meal and integrated shrimp production after acquiring subsidiaries in China and Vietnam from parent firm CP Pokphand Co (CPP).
Through CPP, the company will be able to manage more feed meal in China and shrimp farms in Vietnam. This move is part of the company's strategy to revise its business structure towards more synergy and competitive costs.
CPF has been following five key goals:
to feed more than 3 billion people,
to be the leading corporate in the Asia-Pacific region,
to be the world's top or second-biggest producer of feed meal,
to become the world's biggest integrated shrimp-farm operator, and
to strengthen its market capitalisation and earnings to shareholders.
This month, CPF will hold a shareholders' meeting to seek support for the US$2.17 billion-acquisition of CPP, through which CPF will be able to manage more feed meal in China and shrimp farms in Vietnam, The Nation reports.
If the acquisition is approved, CPF will double its total sales to THB 300 billion (US$ 9.3 billion) in 2012 and experience an average annual growth of 15-20% in 14 countries, plus boost its food-processing, feed-meal and farming businesses.
The parent company would keep markets such as Burma, Cambodia and Indonesia and some food businesses in China, Bangkok Post reports.
Adirek Sripratak, president and CEO of CPF, said the company is also pushing to access countries with burgeoning economies such as Russia, India and the Philippines. It also targets promising economies in South Asia by focusing on feed meal and aquaculture.
"The approval from the shareholders [to acquire CPP] will immediately [allow us to] double our sales this year, and sales are expected to grow by an average of 15-20% through the next five years. Our revenue ratio between the domestic market and export will also change from 70:30 currently to 40:60 within the next five years,” Adirek said.
Thailand as trading and distribution centre
China's gross domestic product has risen by an average of 10% annually for more 10 years with a 1.4-billion population, while Vietnam has a 6-7% GDP growth with 88 million people.
"Even if we keep growing at this rate we will not be able to feed the population of Asia for the next 20 years. We will grow with the growth of the region," Adirek commented.
While CPF wants to help Thailand become a trading centre and distribution hub of CP brand products, it said China and Vietnam also have great potential as trading and distribution bases for export in the next decade.
Adirek said each country has its own exploitable advantage; for instance, Thailand will be the manufacturing centre for shrimp products and Vietnam will focus on freshwater-fish products because it has the best potential to become the worldwide leader within the next five years.
The feed meal will be distributed under various brands while food production will function under the policy of a single CP brand.
CPF is setting up Asia as its manufacturing and marketing base for the region while business networks in the United States and the European Union will be its trading hubs for business expansion.
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) is on its way to becoming number one worldwide in both feed-meal and integrated shrimp production after acquiring subsidiaries in China and Vietnam from parent firm CP Pokphand Co (CPP).
Through CPP, the company will be able to manage more feed meal in China and shrimp farms in Vietnam. This move is part of the company's strategy to revise its business structure towards more synergy and competitive costs.
CPF has been following five key goals:
to feed more than 3 billion people,
to be the leading corporate in the Asia-Pacific region,
to be the world's top or second-biggest producer of feed meal,
to become the world's biggest integrated shrimp-farm operator, and
to strengthen its market capitalisation and earnings to shareholders.
This month, CPF will hold a shareholders' meeting to seek support for the US$2.17 billion-acquisition of CPP, through which CPF will be able to manage more feed meal in China and shrimp farms in Vietnam, The Nation reports.
If the acquisition is approved, CPF will double its total sales to THB 300 billion (US$ 9.3 billion) in 2012 and experience an average annual growth of 15-20% in 14 countries, plus boost its food-processing, feed-meal and farming businesses.
The parent company would keep markets such as Burma, Cambodia and Indonesia and some food businesses in China, Bangkok Post reports.
Adirek Sripratak, president and CEO of CPF, said the company is also pushing to access countries with burgeoning economies such as Russia, India and the Philippines. It also targets promising economies in South Asia by focusing on feed meal and aquaculture.
"The approval from the shareholders [to acquire CPP] will immediately [allow us to] double our sales this year, and sales are expected to grow by an average of 15-20% through the next five years. Our revenue ratio between the domestic market and export will also change from 70:30 currently to 40:60 within the next five years,” Adirek said.
Thailand as trading and distribution centre
China's gross domestic product has risen by an average of 10% annually for more 10 years with a 1.4-billion population, while Vietnam has a 6-7% GDP growth with 88 million people.
"Even if we keep growing at this rate we will not be able to feed the population of Asia for the next 20 years. We will grow with the growth of the region," Adirek commented.
While CPF wants to help Thailand become a trading centre and distribution hub of CP brand products, it said China and Vietnam also have great potential as trading and distribution bases for export in the next decade.
Adirek said each country has its own exploitable advantage; for instance, Thailand will be the manufacturing centre for shrimp products and Vietnam will focus on freshwater-fish products because it has the best potential to become the worldwide leader within the next five years.
The feed meal will be distributed under various brands while food production will function under the policy of a single CP brand.
CPF is setting up Asia as its manufacturing and marketing base for the region while business networks in the United States and the European Union will be its trading hubs for business expansion.
13 January 2012
Indian poultry industry heading towards crisis, experts warn
//13 Jan 2012
The poultry industry in the Indian sate of Andhra Pradesh is heading for a major slump with thousands of marginal and big farmers incurring huge losses, The Times of India is reporting.
The rise in feed costs, particularly soyabean and maize, along with production costs in the last three months, have led experts to suggest there may be negative growth for the poultry industry in the coming months.
The production cost for broiler chicken has gone up from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg but the market rate has decreased from Rs 100 to Rs 70 a kg. "Skinless chicken is available at Rs 102 a kg, the dressed chicken at Rs 86 and live bird for Rs 50," A Gopal Reddy, executive director of a private hatchery, pointed out. The production cost was Rs 42 per kg a few months ago and the market rate of Rs 100 per kg was economically viable for the breeders.
One tonne of soyabean now costs Rs 16,000 as against Rs 12,000 in October/November last year. Similarly, a tonne of maize costs Rs 12,000 as against Rs 9,000 a year ago. The poultry farm owners also have another worry with the rates of 50 types of imported varieties of feed like amino acids and vitamins to breed chicken going up. Frequent power cuts have also plagued the industry.
Industry sources say as a result of increase in production costs, 14,000 poultry breeders and 95 hatcheries across the state are facing desparate times. Andhra Pradesh produces about three crore broiler chicken every month but with the industry facing a rough patch, the production could decline. Telangana is the worst-hit with 60% of the breeders belonging to the region.
Industry observers said the situation is grim in Medak (with 1,387 breeders), Ranga Reddy (826), Nalgonda (1,140), Mahbubnagar (1,140) along with Chittoor (1,191), West Godavari (658) and Krishna (772) districts which account for the majority poultry breeders in the state. As a solution to tide over the crisis, breeders want the government to ban forward trading in maize and soyabean immediately.
Source: The Times of India
The poultry industry in the Indian sate of Andhra Pradesh is heading for a major slump with thousands of marginal and big farmers incurring huge losses, The Times of India is reporting.
The rise in feed costs, particularly soyabean and maize, along with production costs in the last three months, have led experts to suggest there may be negative growth for the poultry industry in the coming months.
The production cost for broiler chicken has gone up from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg but the market rate has decreased from Rs 100 to Rs 70 a kg. "Skinless chicken is available at Rs 102 a kg, the dressed chicken at Rs 86 and live bird for Rs 50," A Gopal Reddy, executive director of a private hatchery, pointed out. The production cost was Rs 42 per kg a few months ago and the market rate of Rs 100 per kg was economically viable for the breeders.
One tonne of soyabean now costs Rs 16,000 as against Rs 12,000 in October/November last year. Similarly, a tonne of maize costs Rs 12,000 as against Rs 9,000 a year ago. The poultry farm owners also have another worry with the rates of 50 types of imported varieties of feed like amino acids and vitamins to breed chicken going up. Frequent power cuts have also plagued the industry.
Industry sources say as a result of increase in production costs, 14,000 poultry breeders and 95 hatcheries across the state are facing desparate times. Andhra Pradesh produces about three crore broiler chicken every month but with the industry facing a rough patch, the production could decline. Telangana is the worst-hit with 60% of the breeders belonging to the region.
Industry observers said the situation is grim in Medak (with 1,387 breeders), Ranga Reddy (826), Nalgonda (1,140), Mahbubnagar (1,140) along with Chittoor (1,191), West Godavari (658) and Krishna (772) districts which account for the majority poultry breeders in the state. As a solution to tide over the crisis, breeders want the government to ban forward trading in maize and soyabean immediately.
Source: The Times of India
Salmonella control programme works in German poultry
//11 Jan 2012
The annual national status report on Salmonella forms part of an EU control programme, which was established in 2008. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recently evaluated the 2010 data and found fewer Salmonellas in chicken than previous years.
Data for 2010 showed that 0.3% of chicken breeding flocks and 0.2% of broiler flocks had levels of salmonella relevant to the EU control programme. In 2009 the figures were 0.9% and 0.4% respectively.
"These figures consolidate a trend which already became manifest in previous years. Fewer poultry flocks are contaminated with Salmonella, meaning that the control programme is working," says BfR President Professor Andreas Hensel.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has analysed samples from more than 10,000 poultry flocks.
Compared to the salmonella findings in 2009 and 2008 and those of the baseline studies from the years 2004 to 2007, the numbers for the control-relevant Salmonella types S. Infantis, S. Hadar, S. Virchow as well as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium are on the decrease.
For laying hens, the detection rate was 1.9%, compared to 4.8% in 2009 and 2.7% in 2008. For breeding turkeys, no salmonella was detected, as had already been the case in the baseline studies. In contrast, low levels of Salmonella (0.6%) were detected in fattening turkeys.
The figures confirm the success of reaching the common goal set in the control program: a maximum of 1% of the sampled breeding chicken, broiler and turkey flocks are contaminated with control-relevant Salmonella. For laying hens, a reduction of the rate compared to the previous year by at least 10% applies.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003, the salmonella control programme comprises a monitoring programme in addition to protective measures against salmonella such as the duty to vaccinate laying hens in countries with high salmonella rates and strict rules governing feed.
The annual national status report on Salmonella forms part of an EU control programme, which was established in 2008. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recently evaluated the 2010 data and found fewer Salmonellas in chicken than previous years.
Data for 2010 showed that 0.3% of chicken breeding flocks and 0.2% of broiler flocks had levels of salmonella relevant to the EU control programme. In 2009 the figures were 0.9% and 0.4% respectively.
"These figures consolidate a trend which already became manifest in previous years. Fewer poultry flocks are contaminated with Salmonella, meaning that the control programme is working," says BfR President Professor Andreas Hensel.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has analysed samples from more than 10,000 poultry flocks.
Compared to the salmonella findings in 2009 and 2008 and those of the baseline studies from the years 2004 to 2007, the numbers for the control-relevant Salmonella types S. Infantis, S. Hadar, S. Virchow as well as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium are on the decrease.
For laying hens, the detection rate was 1.9%, compared to 4.8% in 2009 and 2.7% in 2008. For breeding turkeys, no salmonella was detected, as had already been the case in the baseline studies. In contrast, low levels of Salmonella (0.6%) were detected in fattening turkeys.
The figures confirm the success of reaching the common goal set in the control program: a maximum of 1% of the sampled breeding chicken, broiler and turkey flocks are contaminated with control-relevant Salmonella. For laying hens, a reduction of the rate compared to the previous year by at least 10% applies.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003, the salmonella control programme comprises a monitoring programme in addition to protective measures against salmonella such as the duty to vaccinate laying hens in countries with high salmonella rates and strict rules governing feed.
Brazil approved for pork exports to USA
//12 Jan 2012
The United States dropped barriers to imports of Brazilian pork after roughly a year-and-a-half of working to guarantee the meat will comply with sanitary standards.
The US Department of Agriculture recognized Brazilian inspectors as capable of approving slaughterhouses in Santa Catarina state to export raw pork to the US, Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said in a press release.
Cooked or processed pork from some other Brazilian states may also be exported via meatpacking plants in Santa Catarina, which the Agriculture Ministry says has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 2001.
Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of pork-industry association Abipecs, said the USDA's decision "finalizes a long process of authorization for Brazilian exports."
Neto doesn't foresee large volumes of pork being shipped to the US. The Agriculture Ministry now has to decide which slaughterhouses meet the norms.
The US agreed in June 2010 to allow pork imports as part of a broader pact to resolve a dispute over US cotton subsidies.
Later in 2010, the USDA recognized Santa Catarina as free of foot-and-mouth disease; however USDA remained concerned that Brazil didn't have enough federal inspectors to monitor the state's meatpacking plants.
In 2011, Brazil exported 516,419 metric tons of pork, down 4.4% from the previous year, with the biggest destinations being Hong Kong and Russia. The value of the exports rose 7% last year to $1.43 billion.
The United States dropped barriers to imports of Brazilian pork after roughly a year-and-a-half of working to guarantee the meat will comply with sanitary standards.
The US Department of Agriculture recognized Brazilian inspectors as capable of approving slaughterhouses in Santa Catarina state to export raw pork to the US, Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said in a press release.
Cooked or processed pork from some other Brazilian states may also be exported via meatpacking plants in Santa Catarina, which the Agriculture Ministry says has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 2001.
Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of pork-industry association Abipecs, said the USDA's decision "finalizes a long process of authorization for Brazilian exports."
Neto doesn't foresee large volumes of pork being shipped to the US. The Agriculture Ministry now has to decide which slaughterhouses meet the norms.
The US agreed in June 2010 to allow pork imports as part of a broader pact to resolve a dispute over US cotton subsidies.
Later in 2010, the USDA recognized Santa Catarina as free of foot-and-mouth disease; however USDA remained concerned that Brazil didn't have enough federal inspectors to monitor the state's meatpacking plants.
In 2011, Brazil exported 516,419 metric tons of pork, down 4.4% from the previous year, with the biggest destinations being Hong Kong and Russia. The value of the exports rose 7% last year to $1.43 billion.
Global veterinary health products market grows to over $28 billion by 2017
//11 Jan 2012
TriMarkPublications.com cites in its newly published "Veterinary Health Markets" report that the global veterinary health products market is forecasted to spike to over $28 billion by 2017.
Veterinary health products can be categorized into three main groups: veterinary pharmaceuticals, biologicals and medicated feed additives (MFAs).
The veterinary health market for 2011 is estimated at $21.1 billion and 63% of this amount is accounted for by pharmaceuticals ($13.3 billion), 25% by biologicals ($5.27 billion) and 12% by medicinal feed additives ($2.5 billion).
Food animal healthcare comprised $12.45 billion of the total 2011 market; companion animal healthcare comprised $8.64 billion.
Detailed charts with sales forecasts and market share data are included. For more information, visit TriMarkPublications.com
The "Veterinary Health Markets" report examines companies manufacturing veterinary health equipment and supplies in the world. Companies covered include: Abaxis, Abbott, Adiagene, Adisseo France, Alpharma, Avian, BASF, Bayer, Biobest, Biocurex, BioVet, Boehringer Ingelheim, CEVA Sante Animale, CJ, Cyprus, Dabaco Viet Nam, DayMoon, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Qualicon, ECO, EIPICO, Elanco, Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH, Eurovet Animal Health, Gene Check, Heska, Huvepharma, Idexx, IWAKI & Co., Jansen, Laboklin, Medika, Merck & Co., Merial, MetaMorphix, Microbix, Momina krepost AD Veliko Tarnovo, Mosaic, Neogen, Norbrook, Novartis, Novus International, OptiGen, Orion, PETCO, PetSmart, PAHC, Phylaxia 1912 Holding NyRt, Piedmont, Pfizer, Prionics AG, Randox, Sanofi-Aventis, Sequent Scientific, Skystar, Sunwin International Nutraceuticals, Synbiotics, Teva, The Arab Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs Mfg. Co., ThermoGenesis, VCA Antech, Velefarm ad Beograd, Veterinarski Zavod Subotica ad Subotica, Vetoquinol, Virbac and Woogene.
TriMarkPublications.com cites in its newly published "Veterinary Health Markets" report that the global veterinary health products market is forecasted to spike to over $28 billion by 2017.
Veterinary health products can be categorized into three main groups: veterinary pharmaceuticals, biologicals and medicated feed additives (MFAs).
The veterinary health market for 2011 is estimated at $21.1 billion and 63% of this amount is accounted for by pharmaceuticals ($13.3 billion), 25% by biologicals ($5.27 billion) and 12% by medicinal feed additives ($2.5 billion).
Food animal healthcare comprised $12.45 billion of the total 2011 market; companion animal healthcare comprised $8.64 billion.
Detailed charts with sales forecasts and market share data are included. For more information, visit TriMarkPublications.com
The "Veterinary Health Markets" report examines companies manufacturing veterinary health equipment and supplies in the world. Companies covered include: Abaxis, Abbott, Adiagene, Adisseo France, Alpharma, Avian, BASF, Bayer, Biobest, Biocurex, BioVet, Boehringer Ingelheim, CEVA Sante Animale, CJ, Cyprus, Dabaco Viet Nam, DayMoon, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Qualicon, ECO, EIPICO, Elanco, Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH, Eurovet Animal Health, Gene Check, Heska, Huvepharma, Idexx, IWAKI & Co., Jansen, Laboklin, Medika, Merck & Co., Merial, MetaMorphix, Microbix, Momina krepost AD Veliko Tarnovo, Mosaic, Neogen, Norbrook, Novartis, Novus International, OptiGen, Orion, PETCO, PetSmart, PAHC, Phylaxia 1912 Holding NyRt, Piedmont, Pfizer, Prionics AG, Randox, Sanofi-Aventis, Sequent Scientific, Skystar, Sunwin International Nutraceuticals, Synbiotics, Teva, The Arab Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs Mfg. Co., ThermoGenesis, VCA Antech, Velefarm ad Beograd, Veterinarski Zavod Subotica ad Subotica, Vetoquinol, Virbac and Woogene.
09 January 2012
Elanco improves poultry tonic to boost producer profits
//06 Jan 2012
Elanco has launched a new poultry product that it thinks could prove just the tonic for the poultry industry in the face of rising fuel and feed costs.
Following on from the acquisition of Janssen Animal Health, Elanco has improved the former company’s existing poultry tonic. Elanco Poultry Tonic HD Plus contains new ingredients – a vitamin D3 metabolite and a natural antioxidant blend – that aim to support birds during the most demanding periods of productivity, during growth and peak laying. One study has demonstrated as much as a 5:1 return on investment can be made as a result of supplementing the D3 metabolite alone.
The vitamin D3 metabolite has been shown to increase egg weights (by around 2%) and improve feed conversion and feed intake. It is more available to the body than vitamin D3, which plays a role in calcium metabolism (and therefore egg production). The benefits are significant for commercial egg producers but also for hatcheries, as egg size correlates with chick weight. The metabolite can also improve bone strength, potentially resulting in healthier, more robust poults.
The new antioxidant blend contains natural preparations of vitamins that are better absorbed and used in the body, as well as more complex antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, such as flavanoids, polyphenols and carotenoids. Antioxidants mop up free radicals produced by day-to-day metabolism, which would otherwise cause cell damage or play active roles in the development of some diseases. The requirement for antioxidants can be increased in certain physiologically stressful situations – such as when additional demands are placed on the body by production.
Elanco’s new Poultry Tonic HD Plus is suitable for layers, broilers, breeders and turkeys and is available from vets and animal health retailers. The company is also launching Game Bird Tonic HD Plus at the same time.
Related website:
Elanco
Elanco has launched a new poultry product that it thinks could prove just the tonic for the poultry industry in the face of rising fuel and feed costs.
Following on from the acquisition of Janssen Animal Health, Elanco has improved the former company’s existing poultry tonic. Elanco Poultry Tonic HD Plus contains new ingredients – a vitamin D3 metabolite and a natural antioxidant blend – that aim to support birds during the most demanding periods of productivity, during growth and peak laying. One study has demonstrated as much as a 5:1 return on investment can be made as a result of supplementing the D3 metabolite alone.
The vitamin D3 metabolite has been shown to increase egg weights (by around 2%) and improve feed conversion and feed intake. It is more available to the body than vitamin D3, which plays a role in calcium metabolism (and therefore egg production). The benefits are significant for commercial egg producers but also for hatcheries, as egg size correlates with chick weight. The metabolite can also improve bone strength, potentially resulting in healthier, more robust poults.
The new antioxidant blend contains natural preparations of vitamins that are better absorbed and used in the body, as well as more complex antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, such as flavanoids, polyphenols and carotenoids. Antioxidants mop up free radicals produced by day-to-day metabolism, which would otherwise cause cell damage or play active roles in the development of some diseases. The requirement for antioxidants can be increased in certain physiologically stressful situations – such as when additional demands are placed on the body by production.
Elanco’s new Poultry Tonic HD Plus is suitable for layers, broilers, breeders and turkeys and is available from vets and animal health retailers. The company is also launching Game Bird Tonic HD Plus at the same time.
Related website:
Elanco
FDA prohibits use of some antimicrobial drugs in poultry
//06 Jan 2012
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an order that prohibits certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys effective April 5, 2012.
This new order takes into consideration the substantial public comment FDA received on a similar order that it issued in 2008, but revoked prior to implementation.
Preserve the effectiveness
FDA is taking this action to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating disease in humans. Prohibiting these uses is intended to reduce the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens.
Cephalosporins are commonly used in humans to treat pneumonia as well as to treat skin and soft tissue infections. If cephalosporins are not effective in treating these diseases, doctors may have to use drugs that are not as effective or that have greater side effects.
In its order, FDA is prohibiting what are called “extralabel” or unapproved uses of cephalosporins in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys, the so-called major species of food-producing animals. Specifically, the prohibited uses include:
using cephalosporin drugs at unapproved dose levels, frequencies, durations, or routes of administration;
using cephalosporin drugs in cattle, swine, chickens or turkeys that are not approved for use in that species (e.g., cephalosporin drugs intended for humans or companion animals);
using cephalosporin drugs for disease prevention.
"We believe this is an imperative step in preserving the effectiveness of this class of important antimicrobials that takes into account the need to protect the health of both humans and animals," said Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods.
National Chicken Council statement
“Antibiotics are a valuable tool in ensuring animal health and in producing wholesome food for the consuming public," said National Chicken Council Vice President of Communications Tom Super in a statement.
“Antibiotics are used sparingly in chicken production, and only if they are approved by the FDA. A majority of the antibiotics, such as Ceftiofur, are not used in human medicine meaning the threat of creating resistance is essentially reduced to zero.
“Consumers should know that chicken is safe, wholesome and that all chicken produced in the United States is inspected by the USDA. Inspectors test meat samples for chemical and antimicrobial residues – poultry must be in compliance with USDA standards. When antibiotics are used in chicken production, strict withdrawal periods must be followed before the birds are processed for food. Chicken consistently has the best record of any product tested by USDA.
“We share the concerns of others that FDA’s rule on extralabel drug use will take medical decisions to treat animals out of the hands of veterinarians. We question any substantive link or scientific basis between veterinary use of cephalosporins and antibiotic resistance in humans.”
The new order of prohibition has a comment period that will begin on Jan. 6, 2012 and close on March 6, 2012. To comment on the order of prohibition, visit www.regulations.gov and enter FDA-2008-N-0326 in the keyword box.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an order that prohibits certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys effective April 5, 2012.
This new order takes into consideration the substantial public comment FDA received on a similar order that it issued in 2008, but revoked prior to implementation.
Preserve the effectiveness
FDA is taking this action to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating disease in humans. Prohibiting these uses is intended to reduce the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens.
Cephalosporins are commonly used in humans to treat pneumonia as well as to treat skin and soft tissue infections. If cephalosporins are not effective in treating these diseases, doctors may have to use drugs that are not as effective or that have greater side effects.
In its order, FDA is prohibiting what are called “extralabel” or unapproved uses of cephalosporins in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys, the so-called major species of food-producing animals. Specifically, the prohibited uses include:
using cephalosporin drugs at unapproved dose levels, frequencies, durations, or routes of administration;
using cephalosporin drugs in cattle, swine, chickens or turkeys that are not approved for use in that species (e.g., cephalosporin drugs intended for humans or companion animals);
using cephalosporin drugs for disease prevention.
"We believe this is an imperative step in preserving the effectiveness of this class of important antimicrobials that takes into account the need to protect the health of both humans and animals," said Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods.
National Chicken Council statement
“Antibiotics are a valuable tool in ensuring animal health and in producing wholesome food for the consuming public," said National Chicken Council Vice President of Communications Tom Super in a statement.
“Antibiotics are used sparingly in chicken production, and only if they are approved by the FDA. A majority of the antibiotics, such as Ceftiofur, are not used in human medicine meaning the threat of creating resistance is essentially reduced to zero.
“Consumers should know that chicken is safe, wholesome and that all chicken produced in the United States is inspected by the USDA. Inspectors test meat samples for chemical and antimicrobial residues – poultry must be in compliance with USDA standards. When antibiotics are used in chicken production, strict withdrawal periods must be followed before the birds are processed for food. Chicken consistently has the best record of any product tested by USDA.
“We share the concerns of others that FDA’s rule on extralabel drug use will take medical decisions to treat animals out of the hands of veterinarians. We question any substantive link or scientific basis between veterinary use of cephalosporins and antibiotic resistance in humans.”
The new order of prohibition has a comment period that will begin on Jan. 6, 2012 and close on March 6, 2012. To comment on the order of prohibition, visit www.regulations.gov and enter FDA-2008-N-0326 in the keyword box.
Report suggests brighter outlook for poultry in 2012
//09 Jan 2012
Poultry producers face a positive outlook in 2012, according to international analysts at Rabobank, with margins expected to improve for both farmers and processors.
However, with fragile market conditions persisting in the wider economy, experts say supply discipline will be required to aid the EU meat industry's performance.
According to the Rabobank report, "swing factors" such as feed prices, the economy, export markets and exchange rates could easily shift and create uncertainty in 2012. "Predictions show the industry will yet again experience major challenges in the year ahead," the researchers said. "More disciplined supply growth will make the industry more flexible in times of unfavourable cost-price developments."
Reduction in supply last year has restored the market balance, they added, resulting in better prices and margins, and projections for this year are positive. Low production in the red meat sector also means beef prices are expected to remain high, which will support prices for poultry - the main competing meat.
Unlike other mea-producing sectors, a downturn in the economic conditions within the EU is likely to benefit the poultry industry as consumers trade down and poultry consumption is expected to increase between 0.7% and 1.5%.Rabobank also predicts the sector will benefit from increased demand in world markets, with the main growth areas being Hong Kong, Africa and Middle Eastern countries.
The tight supply of global meat markets is expected to lead to a 5-7% increase of poultry export volumes, albeit at a slower pace than 2010/11. Pork and beef exports are expected to decline due to lower production levels. But volatile exchange rates could impact on trade in 2012, depending on economic developments within the EU, Rabobank has warned.
Economic developments also remain a key swing factor for grain and oilseed prices, with a possible downturn affecting the demand for grain and fuel. Although the outlook for these markets remains fragile, predictions indicate a slight decline in prices. This is particularly positive for the poultry industry, with research showing feed costs account for 50-70% of total production costs.
Overall Rabobank predicts EU poultry production will rise by 1.2% this year to support demand growth and export potential. "In the poultry sector, the integrated structure and opportunities to easily adjust production will support 2012 margins."
Source: FWi
Poultry producers face a positive outlook in 2012, according to international analysts at Rabobank, with margins expected to improve for both farmers and processors.
However, with fragile market conditions persisting in the wider economy, experts say supply discipline will be required to aid the EU meat industry's performance.
According to the Rabobank report, "swing factors" such as feed prices, the economy, export markets and exchange rates could easily shift and create uncertainty in 2012. "Predictions show the industry will yet again experience major challenges in the year ahead," the researchers said. "More disciplined supply growth will make the industry more flexible in times of unfavourable cost-price developments."
Reduction in supply last year has restored the market balance, they added, resulting in better prices and margins, and projections for this year are positive. Low production in the red meat sector also means beef prices are expected to remain high, which will support prices for poultry - the main competing meat.
Unlike other mea-producing sectors, a downturn in the economic conditions within the EU is likely to benefit the poultry industry as consumers trade down and poultry consumption is expected to increase between 0.7% and 1.5%.Rabobank also predicts the sector will benefit from increased demand in world markets, with the main growth areas being Hong Kong, Africa and Middle Eastern countries.
The tight supply of global meat markets is expected to lead to a 5-7% increase of poultry export volumes, albeit at a slower pace than 2010/11. Pork and beef exports are expected to decline due to lower production levels. But volatile exchange rates could impact on trade in 2012, depending on economic developments within the EU, Rabobank has warned.
Economic developments also remain a key swing factor for grain and oilseed prices, with a possible downturn affecting the demand for grain and fuel. Although the outlook for these markets remains fragile, predictions indicate a slight decline in prices. This is particularly positive for the poultry industry, with research showing feed costs account for 50-70% of total production costs.
Overall Rabobank predicts EU poultry production will rise by 1.2% this year to support demand growth and export potential. "In the poultry sector, the integrated structure and opportunities to easily adjust production will support 2012 margins."
Source: FWi
Antibiotics lead us into death
//04 Jan 2012
Author: Dick Ziggers
More people in hospitals become infected with resistant bacteria that doctors cannot treat with antibiotics. In Europe it is estimated that 25,000 people die because of this. Some of the bacteria also occur in the livestock industry, such as MRSA and ESBL. Because of a long and intensive use of antibiotics in animal husbandry these bacteria have become resistant to most antibiotics used in hospitals. Healthy people won’t die of these killer bugs, but to people with a strongly reduced general resistance, such as cancer patients, they can be lethal.
MRSA (Methicilline resistant Staphylocossus aureus) develops on pig farms and with transports of piglets and finishers the bacteria have spread rapidly. About 40% of the pig farmers in the Netherlands carry MRSA-bacteria and if they have to go to hospital they have to be cared for separately and quarantined.
ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) develops on poultry farms and spreads through the food chain. In certain countries up to 90% of poultry in supermarkets is infected. The number of antibiotics working against ESBL is limited.
In most countries the situation is still manageable, but has already become critical in Greece and Turkey where it is almost impossible to treat infected patients with antibiotics that work. In Greece a MRSA-type has emerged that is resistant to all antibiotics. The situation is also critical because no new antibiotics are to be expected in the short term.
In order to avoid this horror scenario for other countries, antibiotic use in the livestock industry has to be minimised. This is possible with vaccinations against diseases, better feed and better housing. It will lead to decreased growth rate of animals and possibly to fewer farms, because some are too infected to continue.
In some regions of the world the mental change -- from using only antibiotics to alternative means of treatment and from curing to preventing disease or even an antibiotic free livestock industry -- has taken place and is accepted in the heads of people working in the food chain. In some other places, such as the USA and Eastern Europe, this different way of thinking has not yet taken place. The industry is still in the denial phase and keeps on emphasising the disadvantages of withdrawal of antibiotics instead of looking for opportunities of a new disease management system.
As a consequence our chicken filet and pork chop may become a little bit more expensive. I have no problem with that if it ensures me of a risk-free hospital use when necessary and ensures a healthy (health-wise and economically) living for farmers.
It is still not too late, but it is up to governments in cooperation with the feed and food chain to resist the lobby of animal drug companies and make a clear move in reducing antibiotic use in livestock - for a healthier future.
Author: Dick Ziggers
More people in hospitals become infected with resistant bacteria that doctors cannot treat with antibiotics. In Europe it is estimated that 25,000 people die because of this. Some of the bacteria also occur in the livestock industry, such as MRSA and ESBL. Because of a long and intensive use of antibiotics in animal husbandry these bacteria have become resistant to most antibiotics used in hospitals. Healthy people won’t die of these killer bugs, but to people with a strongly reduced general resistance, such as cancer patients, they can be lethal.
MRSA (Methicilline resistant Staphylocossus aureus) develops on pig farms and with transports of piglets and finishers the bacteria have spread rapidly. About 40% of the pig farmers in the Netherlands carry MRSA-bacteria and if they have to go to hospital they have to be cared for separately and quarantined.
ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) develops on poultry farms and spreads through the food chain. In certain countries up to 90% of poultry in supermarkets is infected. The number of antibiotics working against ESBL is limited.
In most countries the situation is still manageable, but has already become critical in Greece and Turkey where it is almost impossible to treat infected patients with antibiotics that work. In Greece a MRSA-type has emerged that is resistant to all antibiotics. The situation is also critical because no new antibiotics are to be expected in the short term.
In order to avoid this horror scenario for other countries, antibiotic use in the livestock industry has to be minimised. This is possible with vaccinations against diseases, better feed and better housing. It will lead to decreased growth rate of animals and possibly to fewer farms, because some are too infected to continue.
In some regions of the world the mental change -- from using only antibiotics to alternative means of treatment and from curing to preventing disease or even an antibiotic free livestock industry -- has taken place and is accepted in the heads of people working in the food chain. In some other places, such as the USA and Eastern Europe, this different way of thinking has not yet taken place. The industry is still in the denial phase and keeps on emphasising the disadvantages of withdrawal of antibiotics instead of looking for opportunities of a new disease management system.
As a consequence our chicken filet and pork chop may become a little bit more expensive. I have no problem with that if it ensures me of a risk-free hospital use when necessary and ensures a healthy (health-wise and economically) living for farmers.
It is still not too late, but it is up to governments in cooperation with the feed and food chain to resist the lobby of animal drug companies and make a clear move in reducing antibiotic use in livestock - for a healthier future.
05 January 2012
US veterinarians in favour of antibiotics
//04 Jan 2012
The president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has sent a letter to US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterating the risk of limiting antibiotic use in food producing animals without careful consideration of the consequences for human and animal health.
The letter was sent following remarks by Secretary Vilsack that some interpreted as a sign that the USDA was moving to limit the use of antibiotics in food animals. The department later clarified that no change in policy had been made.
In the letter to Secretary Vilsack, AVMA President Dr. René Carlson expressed the association's appreciation that there had been no policy change and reiterated the important role antibiotics play in helping veterinarians protect animal and public health.
"The AVMA strongly supports the judicious use of antibiotics in food producing animals," Dr. Carlson said. "This includes the administration of antibiotics for treatment, control, and prevention of animal diseases to promote food safety as well as assure the health and well-being of food producing animals."
Secretary Vilsack's comments, made while discussing the Obama administration's food safety efforts, were interpreted by some critics of the use of antibiotics in food animals as a signal that the USDA was preparing for a shift in their position.
USDA spokeswoman Courtney Rowe quickly clarified that the secretary's comments did not reflect a change in policy for the department.
"To restrict certain uses of antibiotics without careful consideration of the risks and benefits to both humans and animals removes a very valuable tool in the veterinarian's medical bag for preventing and minimizing animal disease and suffering while also ensuring a safe and wholesome food supply," Dr. Carlson said.
The president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has sent a letter to US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterating the risk of limiting antibiotic use in food producing animals without careful consideration of the consequences for human and animal health.
The letter was sent following remarks by Secretary Vilsack that some interpreted as a sign that the USDA was moving to limit the use of antibiotics in food animals. The department later clarified that no change in policy had been made.
In the letter to Secretary Vilsack, AVMA President Dr. René Carlson expressed the association's appreciation that there had been no policy change and reiterated the important role antibiotics play in helping veterinarians protect animal and public health.
"The AVMA strongly supports the judicious use of antibiotics in food producing animals," Dr. Carlson said. "This includes the administration of antibiotics for treatment, control, and prevention of animal diseases to promote food safety as well as assure the health and well-being of food producing animals."
Secretary Vilsack's comments, made while discussing the Obama administration's food safety efforts, were interpreted by some critics of the use of antibiotics in food animals as a signal that the USDA was preparing for a shift in their position.
USDA spokeswoman Courtney Rowe quickly clarified that the secretary's comments did not reflect a change in policy for the department.
"To restrict certain uses of antibiotics without careful consideration of the risks and benefits to both humans and animals removes a very valuable tool in the veterinarian's medical bag for preventing and minimizing animal disease and suffering while also ensuring a safe and wholesome food supply," Dr. Carlson said.
DDGs use to exceed supply
//05 Jan 2012
Production of distillers’ grains (DDGs) has quadrupled since 2004/05, paralleling the rapid growth of US ethanol production. As a feedstuff supply can hardly keep up with demand.
Despite initial concerns about the capacity of US or foreign livestock feeders to utilise DDGs, they are now the second largest category of processed feed used in the US, amounting to an estimated 29.1 million metric tonnes in 2010/11.
The US Economic Research Service projections point to further growth in DDGs production. For the foreseeable future, however, potential feed use of DDGs in the US exceeds projected supply.
Initially, observers questioned the industry’s ability to process and market a high-quality, storeable, DDGs product and the degree to which the nutritional characteristics were suited to certain types of livestock/poultry.
Nevertheless, both US and international feeders rapidly adopted DDGs, which possess at least the same energy as corn and protein content between that of corn and soybean meal.
All livestock and poultry can use the nutrients from DDGs, but ruminants can use them more readily than monogastrics.
Furthermore, technological advances are making it possible to change the composition of DDGs and tailor them to the nutrient needs of each type of animal.
As much as one-quarter of US DDGs supply has been exported, which will support continued growth in its use. Main markets include China, Mexico, and Canada. Exports have benefited from technical assistance from US trade groups.
(Image from http://www.grainacademymuseum.com/images/27_-_Off_to_the_Orient.JPG)
Production of distillers’ grains (DDGs) has quadrupled since 2004/05, paralleling the rapid growth of US ethanol production. As a feedstuff supply can hardly keep up with demand.
Despite initial concerns about the capacity of US or foreign livestock feeders to utilise DDGs, they are now the second largest category of processed feed used in the US, amounting to an estimated 29.1 million metric tonnes in 2010/11.
The US Economic Research Service projections point to further growth in DDGs production. For the foreseeable future, however, potential feed use of DDGs in the US exceeds projected supply.
Initially, observers questioned the industry’s ability to process and market a high-quality, storeable, DDGs product and the degree to which the nutritional characteristics were suited to certain types of livestock/poultry.
Nevertheless, both US and international feeders rapidly adopted DDGs, which possess at least the same energy as corn and protein content between that of corn and soybean meal.
All livestock and poultry can use the nutrients from DDGs, but ruminants can use them more readily than monogastrics.
Furthermore, technological advances are making it possible to change the composition of DDGs and tailor them to the nutrient needs of each type of animal.
As much as one-quarter of US DDGs supply has been exported, which will support continued growth in its use. Main markets include China, Mexico, and Canada. Exports have benefited from technical assistance from US trade groups.
(Image from http://www.grainacademymuseum.com/images/27_-_Off_to_the_Orient.JPG)
Research: The role of carbohydrates in intestinal health of pigs
//05 Jan 2012
Scientists from Aarhus University in Tjele, Denmark studied the role of carbohydrates in intestinal health in pigs. Carbohydrates are naturally occurring compounds with a diverse composition and present in all plant feeds.
The linkages between the different carbohydrate components and the way the carbohydrate molecules are organised have a great impact on the site of its digestion and how the carbohydrates influence the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.
The paper in Animal Feed Science and Technology adresses the impact of carbohydrates on the gastrointestinal environment, the commensal microbiota, the fermentation processes and the resistance to infection diseases as exemplified by the influence on post weaning enteric disorders and swine dysentery.
The gastrointestinal tract of pigs can be considered as a tube with regions that have different structure and functional elements, which provide optimal conditions for the digestion and absorption processes.
In the immediate post-weaning period, the secretion of α-amylase is compromised, which leads to malabsorption of starch in the small intestine the first 2 weeks after weaning.
These conditions make it difficult to assess a specific effect of dietary carbohydrates on gut health expressed by the protection to post-weaning digestive disorders.
However, inclusion of fructose containing oligo- and polysaccharides seem to stimulate beneficial bacteria, i.e. lactobacilli, which may give rise to some protection.
Two routes have been shown to protect against the expression of swine dysentery:
feeding a highly digestible cooked rice-animal protein based diet providing limited amounts of fermentable carbohydrates to the large intestine or
feeding diets containing prebiotic carbohydrates, i.e. fructose containing oligo- and/or polysaccharides, which stimulate beneficial microorganism.
However, whilst the protective effect of the highly digestible cooked rice diet have not been proved outside Australia, the concept of stimulating beneficial microorganism by fructose containing oligo- and polysaccharides have demonstrated protective effects both in Europe and Australia.
Scientists from Aarhus University in Tjele, Denmark studied the role of carbohydrates in intestinal health in pigs. Carbohydrates are naturally occurring compounds with a diverse composition and present in all plant feeds.
The linkages between the different carbohydrate components and the way the carbohydrate molecules are organised have a great impact on the site of its digestion and how the carbohydrates influence the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.
The paper in Animal Feed Science and Technology adresses the impact of carbohydrates on the gastrointestinal environment, the commensal microbiota, the fermentation processes and the resistance to infection diseases as exemplified by the influence on post weaning enteric disorders and swine dysentery.
The gastrointestinal tract of pigs can be considered as a tube with regions that have different structure and functional elements, which provide optimal conditions for the digestion and absorption processes.
In the immediate post-weaning period, the secretion of α-amylase is compromised, which leads to malabsorption of starch in the small intestine the first 2 weeks after weaning.
These conditions make it difficult to assess a specific effect of dietary carbohydrates on gut health expressed by the protection to post-weaning digestive disorders.
However, inclusion of fructose containing oligo- and polysaccharides seem to stimulate beneficial bacteria, i.e. lactobacilli, which may give rise to some protection.
Two routes have been shown to protect against the expression of swine dysentery:
feeding a highly digestible cooked rice-animal protein based diet providing limited amounts of fermentable carbohydrates to the large intestine or
feeding diets containing prebiotic carbohydrates, i.e. fructose containing oligo- and/or polysaccharides, which stimulate beneficial microorganism.
However, whilst the protective effect of the highly digestible cooked rice diet have not been proved outside Australia, the concept of stimulating beneficial microorganism by fructose containing oligo- and polysaccharides have demonstrated protective effects both in Europe and Australia.
FDA issues order restricting antimicrobial drug use in animals
//05 Jan 2012
The FDA has issued an order to restrict the use of cephalosporin antibiotics, which are given to some cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys before slaughter.
Under the new restrictions extralabel drug use (ELDU) of cephalosporins will only be allowed for use to treat or control, but not prevent a disease, and must be used at the labeled dose, frequency, duration and route of administration approved for that species and production class. These new restrictions apply to major species, while ELDU use is permitted for minor species.
Today’s ruling significantly revises a 2008 rule by FDA that prohibited all ELDU uses of cephalosporins and was later withdrawn.
Cephalosporin antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia, skin infections and meningitis, among other diseases, in humans.
The final rule was published in the January 2, 2012 Federal Register with a comment period that closes March 6, 2012.
The FDA has issued an order to restrict the use of cephalosporin antibiotics, which are given to some cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys before slaughter.
Under the new restrictions extralabel drug use (ELDU) of cephalosporins will only be allowed for use to treat or control, but not prevent a disease, and must be used at the labeled dose, frequency, duration and route of administration approved for that species and production class. These new restrictions apply to major species, while ELDU use is permitted for minor species.
Today’s ruling significantly revises a 2008 rule by FDA that prohibited all ELDU uses of cephalosporins and was later withdrawn.
Cephalosporin antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia, skin infections and meningitis, among other diseases, in humans.
The final rule was published in the January 2, 2012 Federal Register with a comment period that closes March 6, 2012.
03 January 2012
FDA silently continues backing certain antibiotics in feed
//02 Jan 2012
The US Food and Drug Administration has decided not to withdraw penicillin and tetracyclines in animal feed, backing away from the agency's initial intention to do so. The news was not announced, but was published in the Federal Register just before the holidays.
In 1977, the FDA first announced its intention to withdraw the animal drug approvals - penicillin outright and the subtherapeutic use of tetracycline - citing microbial food safety concerns, but now the agency is planning to "focus its efforts for now on the potential for voluntary reform and the promotion of the judicious use of antimicrobials in the interest of public health," according to the notice.
FDA said in the notice that despite this action, the agency "remains concerned about the issue of antimicrobial resistance."
"Today's action should not be interpreted as a sign that FDA no longer has safety concerns or that FDA will not consider re-proposing withdrawal proceedings in the future, if necessary," said the notice.
"FDA has not ruled out the prospect of future regulatory action, either with respect to the antimicrobial new animal drugs covered by the 1977 NOOHs (Notice for Opportunity for Hearing) or any others."
The agency says it will focus on voluntary reforms and if that strategy "does not yield satisfactory results" the possibility of pursuing withdrawals is still on the table.
Silent note
Maryn McKenna, public health journalist and author of Superbug, broke the story, which is likely to get lost in the holiday bustle.
"There is a lot of background to this, but here is the takeaway: For 34 years, the FDA has been contending that administering small doses of antibiotics to healthy animals is an inappropriate use of increasingly scarce drugs - a position in which it is supported by organizations as mainstream as the American Medical Association," wrote McKenna.
"With this withdrawal, it backs away from the actions it took to support that assertion -- which may indicate there will be no further government action on the issue until after the 2012 election."
Environmental groups dismayed
Environmental and consumer groups have condemned FDA’s move to renege on its long-held policy to regulate the use of human antibiotics in animal feed.
Critics say the U-turn, which comes amid the FDA's own stated concerns over food safety, is at odds with its obligations to protect the public.
The groups also criticised the timing of the announcement, which was made during the holiday season and disclosed only in the federal register.
The use of low doses of antibiotics in agricultural animal feed contributes to drug-resistant superbugs, according to food and health experts.
"It's dismaying, and obviously something they felt sheepish about, otherwise it wouldn't have been released this week," Michael Pollan, author of the Onmivore's Dilemma and Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, told the Guardian.
"When Margaret Hamburg became the head of the FDA, she indicated this was a high priority for them and that she realised how much of a problem the profligate use of antibiotics was. She said she was going to treat this issue as if her hair was on fire. This isn't the way someone acts when their hair is on fire."
Pollan said there was "no question" that meat could be produced without human antibiotics, as the EU has already banned them.
Powerful industry
The problem, said Pollan, boils down to a lack of political will in the face of powerful industry interests.
"There's a lot of corporate money in politics these days," he said. "Here you're going up against not just one powerful industry, but two. This administration has had enough trouble going after individual powerful industries. That they would prevail against two of them joined together was too much to hope for."
Avinash Kar, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), described the move as a "step backwards" for the FDA.
Kar believes the move is an attempt to get around a lawsuit filed by the NRDC to force the FDA to withdraw approval for the practice of mixing human antibiotics into animal feed.
The lawsuit, filed in May, asked the court to declare that the FDA had violated federal law by failing to withdraw approval of using penicillin and tetracycline in animal feed when animal health is not at stake.
"This action by the FDA is a response to our lawsuit" said Kar. "The findings in 1977 were included in the notice for opportunity for a hearing, and they think they can get around the lawsuit by withdrawing the notices for opportunities for a hearing. But we will not allow the FDA to ignore public health."
In response to the FDA's reliance on voluntary regulations, Kar said: "We don't believe that the industry will voluntarily regulate itself, because for the last 33 years the approach has been voluntary and the use of antibiotics in livestock has not gone down but – based on estimates – has gone up."
Slaughter disappointed
Politicians also expressed dismay at the FDA's move. In a statement on her website, Democratic congresswoman Louise Slaughter, the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (Pamta), a legislative framework aimed at tackling antibiotic resistance, she expressed her opinion.
"Every year, 100,000 Americans die from bacterial infections acquired in the hospital and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Seventy percent of these infections are resistant to drugs commonly used to treat them. I wonder how many lives could have been saved if these proposals were adopted in 1977 as they should have been.
"We need to get our head out of the sand and start taking public health advice from scientists rather than industry lobbyists."
The US Food and Drug Administration has decided not to withdraw penicillin and tetracyclines in animal feed, backing away from the agency's initial intention to do so. The news was not announced, but was published in the Federal Register just before the holidays.
In 1977, the FDA first announced its intention to withdraw the animal drug approvals - penicillin outright and the subtherapeutic use of tetracycline - citing microbial food safety concerns, but now the agency is planning to "focus its efforts for now on the potential for voluntary reform and the promotion of the judicious use of antimicrobials in the interest of public health," according to the notice.
FDA said in the notice that despite this action, the agency "remains concerned about the issue of antimicrobial resistance."
"Today's action should not be interpreted as a sign that FDA no longer has safety concerns or that FDA will not consider re-proposing withdrawal proceedings in the future, if necessary," said the notice.
"FDA has not ruled out the prospect of future regulatory action, either with respect to the antimicrobial new animal drugs covered by the 1977 NOOHs (Notice for Opportunity for Hearing) or any others."
The agency says it will focus on voluntary reforms and if that strategy "does not yield satisfactory results" the possibility of pursuing withdrawals is still on the table.
Silent note
Maryn McKenna, public health journalist and author of Superbug, broke the story, which is likely to get lost in the holiday bustle.
"There is a lot of background to this, but here is the takeaway: For 34 years, the FDA has been contending that administering small doses of antibiotics to healthy animals is an inappropriate use of increasingly scarce drugs - a position in which it is supported by organizations as mainstream as the American Medical Association," wrote McKenna.
"With this withdrawal, it backs away from the actions it took to support that assertion -- which may indicate there will be no further government action on the issue until after the 2012 election."
Environmental groups dismayed
Environmental and consumer groups have condemned FDA’s move to renege on its long-held policy to regulate the use of human antibiotics in animal feed.
Critics say the U-turn, which comes amid the FDA's own stated concerns over food safety, is at odds with its obligations to protect the public.
The groups also criticised the timing of the announcement, which was made during the holiday season and disclosed only in the federal register.
The use of low doses of antibiotics in agricultural animal feed contributes to drug-resistant superbugs, according to food and health experts.
"It's dismaying, and obviously something they felt sheepish about, otherwise it wouldn't have been released this week," Michael Pollan, author of the Onmivore's Dilemma and Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, told the Guardian.
"When Margaret Hamburg became the head of the FDA, she indicated this was a high priority for them and that she realised how much of a problem the profligate use of antibiotics was. She said she was going to treat this issue as if her hair was on fire. This isn't the way someone acts when their hair is on fire."
Pollan said there was "no question" that meat could be produced without human antibiotics, as the EU has already banned them.
Powerful industry
The problem, said Pollan, boils down to a lack of political will in the face of powerful industry interests.
"There's a lot of corporate money in politics these days," he said. "Here you're going up against not just one powerful industry, but two. This administration has had enough trouble going after individual powerful industries. That they would prevail against two of them joined together was too much to hope for."
Avinash Kar, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), described the move as a "step backwards" for the FDA.
Kar believes the move is an attempt to get around a lawsuit filed by the NRDC to force the FDA to withdraw approval for the practice of mixing human antibiotics into animal feed.
The lawsuit, filed in May, asked the court to declare that the FDA had violated federal law by failing to withdraw approval of using penicillin and tetracycline in animal feed when animal health is not at stake.
"This action by the FDA is a response to our lawsuit" said Kar. "The findings in 1977 were included in the notice for opportunity for a hearing, and they think they can get around the lawsuit by withdrawing the notices for opportunities for a hearing. But we will not allow the FDA to ignore public health."
In response to the FDA's reliance on voluntary regulations, Kar said: "We don't believe that the industry will voluntarily regulate itself, because for the last 33 years the approach has been voluntary and the use of antibiotics in livestock has not gone down but – based on estimates – has gone up."
Slaughter disappointed
Politicians also expressed dismay at the FDA's move. In a statement on her website, Democratic congresswoman Louise Slaughter, the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (Pamta), a legislative framework aimed at tackling antibiotic resistance, she expressed her opinion.
"Every year, 100,000 Americans die from bacterial infections acquired in the hospital and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Seventy percent of these infections are resistant to drugs commonly used to treat them. I wonder how many lives could have been saved if these proposals were adopted in 1977 as they should have been.
"We need to get our head out of the sand and start taking public health advice from scientists rather than industry lobbyists."
China bans ractopamine growth promoter
//02 Jan 2012
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced that the country has banned the production and sale of ractopamine, a controversial feed additive used to promote lean meat growth in food animals.
The ban already became effective on Dec. 5, according to a document posted on the ministry's website on Dec. 24.
The order came after a major pork contamination scandal hit China this spring when the Shuanghui Group, China's largest meat-processing company, was found to be purchasing pigs that had been fed with adulterated pig feed, prompting a national crackdown on the use of what's called as "lean meat powder."
Yu Kangzhen, China's chief veterinary officer, said that "lean meat powder" includes around ten kinds of categories such as clenbuterol and ractopamine.
Major markets, including the US and the EU, banned the use of clenbuterol in late 1980s due to its dangerous side effects such as nausea, dizziness and headaches.
Later, US firms developed another kind of growth promoting chemical, ractopamine, which carries minor toxicity. Currently, ractopamine is still allowed to be used as a feed additive in around 20 countries, such as the US, Canada, and Mexico.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced that the country has banned the production and sale of ractopamine, a controversial feed additive used to promote lean meat growth in food animals.
The ban already became effective on Dec. 5, according to a document posted on the ministry's website on Dec. 24.
The order came after a major pork contamination scandal hit China this spring when the Shuanghui Group, China's largest meat-processing company, was found to be purchasing pigs that had been fed with adulterated pig feed, prompting a national crackdown on the use of what's called as "lean meat powder."
Yu Kangzhen, China's chief veterinary officer, said that "lean meat powder" includes around ten kinds of categories such as clenbuterol and ractopamine.
Major markets, including the US and the EU, banned the use of clenbuterol in late 1980s due to its dangerous side effects such as nausea, dizziness and headaches.
Later, US firms developed another kind of growth promoting chemical, ractopamine, which carries minor toxicity. Currently, ractopamine is still allowed to be used as a feed additive in around 20 countries, such as the US, Canada, and Mexico.
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