UECBV NEWSLETTER 04/2009

TABLE OF CONTENT

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ulgaria: Meat processor invest 7mn in renewable energy.............................................. 7

ponsoring packages available ................................................................................. 10

TO/SPS Transparency – Private standards............................................................... 13

March 2009

QUOTE OF THE MONTH .........................................................3

EU and EUROPEAN AFFAIRS..........................................................4 Czech government looses confidence vote during EU Presidency ..................................... 4 Cheaper and more competitive agriculture requires simpler rules .................................... 4 CAP simplification: Target of 25% achievable by 2012 ................................................... 4 Euro Area annual inflation 1,2% ................................................................................. 4 Euro Area and EU 27 employment down by 0,3% ......................................................... 4 News from DG Agriculture ......................................................................................... 5

Speech on crisis & food security: More money and a liberals stance on GMOs ..............Commission adopts new rules for the introduction of personal consignments of animal products to the EU ................................................................................................... 5 News from the European Parliament ........................................................................... 5 Tenth Anniversary of European Consumers' Day: rethinking how we consume! ................. 6 Commissioners keen to help small businesses to grasp trade opportunities....................... 7 French farmers release pigs at slaughterhouse ............................................................. 7 UK Slaughter Statistics Jan ........................................................................................ 7 B

YOUNG EUROPEAN MEAT COMMITTEE NEWS ......................................8 Why you should be in Toulouse! ................................................................................. 8 Registration period prolonged! ................................................................................... 8 CEO’s and Meat Leaders gear up for Toulouse! ............................................................. 9 Sign up to the YEMCo Newsletter................................................................................ 9 Networking and extra-curricular activities – a true Highlight at the YEMCo conference........ 9 Many “Friends of YEMCo” published on YEMCo website................................................. 10 YEMCo goes multilingual ......................................................................................... 10

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WTO & INTERNATIONAL TRADE ................................................11 Canadian Slaughterhouse approved for export by European Union................................. 13 Meat & Wool New Zealand launches referendum ......................................................... 13 Brazilian beef exports to nearly double by 2018-19 ..................................................... 13 Russia slowly recovering ......................................................................................... 13 WTO Committee focuses on monitoring agriculture commitments.................................. 13 WTO Public Forum.................................................................................................. 13 W

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PUBLIC AND ANIMAL HEALTH ......................................................15 Too much Red Meat May Shorten Life Span................................................................ 15 Codex work ........................................................................................................... 16 Animal Health strategy – up-dated documents............................................................ 16 EFSA NEWS........................................................................................................... 16 Food Contaminants - Aflatoxins ................................................................................ 17 Towards better protection of and respect for animals................................................... 17 Antibiotic bill would compromise food safety, say farmers ............................................ 18 ECJ ruling on German ban on meat from uncastrated pigs............................................ 18 The Food and Veterinary Office ................................................................................ 19

NEW COMMUNITY LEGISLATION ...................................................20

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Historically, when faced with worries about food security, Europeans in positions of power have not always come up with great solutions. At the time of the French Revolution, when Marie Antoinette was told that her people had no bread, she of course replied: "Let them eat cake!" –

Mariann Fischer Boel - Member of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development talks about the global economic crisis, food security and environmental security

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EU and EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Czech government looses confidence vote during EU

Presidency Source: Reuters Date: 24/03

minority center-right

Czech Prime Minister Mirek

Topolanek's

government lost a vote of confidence Tuesday and will probably leave office after the country's term as European Union president finishes in June. Topolanek said he was ready to resign, although the opposition Social Democrats said his government could stay on until Prague hands over the EU's six-month's rotating presidency to Sweden. He said the vote would have no impact on the EU role. "At the moment this situation has no effect on the role of the President of the European Council," Topolanek said in a statement issued by the EU Presidency. Topolanek's ousting precedes a special EU summit with President Barack Obama on April 5 in Prague.

Cheaper and more competitive agriculture requires simpler rules

Source: www.eu2009.cz Date: 19/03

The EU wants to cut the administrative burden of farmers by as much as 25% by 2012. Committed to simpler and more efficient EU legislation as one of its priorities, the Czech Presidency makes a concerted effort to achieve this end. More

CAP simplification: Target of 25%

achievable by 2012 Source: Meat Int. Date: 18/03

Thanks to considerable progress already made in simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and other measures still to be carried out, the Commission is

confident that it will meet its objective of reducing the administrative burden arising from the CAP by 25 percent by 2012. This view is supported by the recently adopted opinion on agriculture of the Stoiber group. A new report highlights a number of measures taken over the past three and a half years which reduce red tape for farmers, companies involved in the food business and administrations, and promise to reduce annual costs by hundreds of millions of euros , which will render European farming more competitive. Click here

Euro Area annual inflation 1,2%

Source: EU Commission Date: 12/03

Euro area annual inflation was 1.2% in February 2009, up from 1.1% in January. A year earlier the rate was 3.3%. Monthly inflation was 0.4% in February 2009. EU annual inflation was 1.7% in February 2009, down from 1.8% in January. A year earlier the rate was 3.5%. Monthly inflation was 0.4% in February 2009. These figures come from Eurostat.

Euro Area and EU 27 employment

down by 0,3%

Source: EU Commission Date: 12/03

The number of persons employed in the euro area (EA15) fell by 0.3% (453 000 persons) in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat. In the same period, the number of persons employed in the EU27 also decreased by 0.3% (672 000 persons). In the third quarter of 2008, employment declined by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. These figures are seasonally adjusted.

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News from DG Agriculture

Source: EU Commission Date: 21/03

Commission to recover € 126.7 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States more...

CAP simplification: Commission well on the way to meeting target to reduce admin burden in agriculture by 25 percent by 2012 more...

Call for tender for a project on certification schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs more...

Commission publishes prospects for agricultural markets and income 2008-2015 more...

Commission publishes stakeholders' opinions on agricultural product quality policy more...

Speech on crisis & food security: More money and a liberals stance

on GMOs

Source: EU Commission Date: 21/03

Mariann Fischer Boel recently spoke on the global economic crisis, food security and environmental security. She said amongst others that “if we leave agriculture too exposed, we're gambling with the security of our food supply and our environment. It's quite possible that serious crises would wipe out large parts of our production base that are profitable under normal conditions. This would leave us with a narrower range of food suppliers and would also lead to environmental damage in many areas. by putting extra funding on the table to be spent on climate change, water management, renewable energy and biodiversity – as well as restructuring in the dairy sector. I also look forward to an agreement on freeing up further money as part of the planned "stimulus package" worth € 5 billion. As I've just mentioned renewable energy, I'll mention my third ingredient in the recipe – which is making the right use of all renewable energies.

On GMO’s she said “we need to be confident in a science-based approach to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It's beyond question that we must authorise only GMOs which are safe for people, animals and the environment. But within this framework, let's be open to what GM technology can do for us – for example, GM crops which are more resistant to heat or drought”.

Commission adopts new rules for

the introduction of personal consignments of animal products to

the EU

Source: EU Commission Date: 05/03 The European Commission adopted a Regulation on the introduction into the EU of animal products by travellers. The Regulation will enter into force on 1 May 2009 and replace the rules that are currently in place. This new legislation intends to clearly explain to the general public the rules concerning the introduction of animal products into the European Union. Indeed, animal products brought into the EU by travellers or sent through the post, could pose a risk to the health of EU livestock by carrying with them certain animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease or other diseases that may also affect humans. The general public therefore plays an important role in keeping such diseases out of the EU. EN FR DE EL News from the European Parliament Source: Meat Int. Date: 03/2009

Food prices in spotlight amid

concerns over supermarket domination – 23/03/2009 Monday evening saw MEPs consider the emotive subject of food prices in Europe. In particular the focus will be on the role of large supermarkets and the amount they pay farmers. At present shoppers can pay up to 5 times the cost of some items of food

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compared to the price at the farm gate. In the late 1950's farmers received half the retail price of food - this has now slumped to 7% in the UK and 18% in France. The report says that large retailers can sometimes abuse their position and distort competition to the detriment of shopper and farmers alike. In particular they are concerned about the effect of supermarket price wars on farm wages. It also notes the fact that many dare not complain for fear the supermarket will buy goods elsewhere. Read more...

Consumer protection - look back at

some EP measures In an ideal world, the consumer would be king. Today's consumer is alas often a victim - left feeling helpless and frustrated. One the keys areas where the EuropeanParliament can make a difference is consumers rights in everything from product labelling, toy safety, roaming charges for mobiles phones to compensation for late trains. As June's European elections draw closer we have a look at some consumer issues. If you...eat and drink, you might approve of your sugar, butter and coffee being sold in a wide range of package sizes and your vodka being made of any agricultural product (provided this is clearly indicated in the label)! As recently as March 2009, the EP debated new rules on labelling clearly indicating the place where food products and the ingredients in them were produced and processed, so that you can make informed choices when buying a product. Read more...

Food labelling - know what you eat and where it comes from! MEPs last week backed a new report for food labelling that clarifies the origin of food and where it is processed. Nowadays a great deal of food is produced in one place and then processed in another country or even another continent. A good example cited was ready-made chicken packaged in the UK using poultry bred in Thailand.

MEPs want consumers in future to know exactly what they are eating. It is pressing for the origin of all primary products to be stated as well as the place of origin of all the main ingredients and raw materials used. The report on "Ensuring Food Quality" was prompted by the Commission's Green Paper on agricultural product quality. Read more...

Viable rules on the welfare of animals at the time of slaughter All forms of unnecessary suffering by animals must be avoided, but religious freedom must be respected, says the Agriculture Committee, which voted on Monday on plans to tighten up the rules on animal welfare at the time of slaughter. Every year in the European Union, 360 million pigs, cattle, sheep and goats are killed, as are over 4 billion poultry birds and 25 million animals reared for fur. In a consultation report drafted by Janusz Wojciechowski (UEN, PL), the Agriculture Committee approved a European Commission proposal seeking to replace the 1993 directive on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter by a new regulation to improve animal welfare while allowing more uniform application of EU rules in Member States. MEPs' amendments are chiefly intended to clarify the rules so they can be more easily applied and protect animals effectively, to prevent red tape and to ensure that imports comply with EU standards. Stunning before death, except for religious slaughter Read more...

Tenth Anniversary of European Consumers' Day: rethinking how we

consume! Source: EESC Date: 13/03

European Consumers' Day, attended this year by Meglena Kuneva, Commissioner for consumer protection, and Marianne Thyssen MEP, is just one example of the EESC's proactive involvement in the debate on consumer protection. As EESC President Mario Sepi made clear, the

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event falls at a time when we need to rethink our behaviour as consumers, especially given the current economic crisis. Karel Machotka, Director-General at the Czech Ministry of Trade and Industry, spoke on behalf of the EU presidency. EN FR DE ES IT CS PL

Commissioners keen to help small

businesses to grasp trade opportunities

Source: EU Date: 26/03

In the current financial downturn European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be able to do business abroad and benefit from the opportunities that trade offers to them. There are more than 23 million SMEs, representing 99% of EU companies, but only 3% of them export outside the EU. How can this be changed and what can the Commission do to support SMEs wanting to do business abroad? How can existing tools be improved and which new initiatives should be launched? More than 150 representatives of SME organisations, the European Parliament, the Member States, and other SME stakeholders will debate this issue today at a High Level Stakeholder Conference organised by Vice-President Günter Verheugen and Commissioner Catherine Ashton. EN FR DE

French farmers release pigs at

slaughterhouse Source: Meat Int. Date: 12/03

A group of 40 pig farmers in southern Brittany, France disrupted the activities of a slaughterhouse at Josselin (Morbihan) by releasing 250 pigs to demand better prices for their pigs. The disruption came about on Sunday evening - the demonstrators also welded the gate of slaughterhouse company Europig, temporarily blocking the entry or exit of trucks. They painted slogans inside the factory including; "Certificate worst payer", "Pork bought for one euro, sold for seven euros. Who benefits from this crime?" The farmers accuse cooperative

slaughterhouses of an agreement to not rise pig prices. They promised new actions in the coming days. According to the farmers, the market prices of pork in Brittany stagnated at a "not satisfactory" level of €1.10 per kg, which they say is not profitable to grow pigs. "Production of pigs began to fall in some European countries, whereas consumption increased by 3% in January, not seen since a year," they said in a statement.

UK Slaughter Statistics Jan Source: Meat Int. Date: 12/03

The latest statistics produced by Defra from surveys of slaughterhouses run by the UK Agricultural Departments were released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. Monthly statistics on the slaughter of cattle, sheep and pigs, dressed carcase weights and meat production are published for the UK to January 2009. Click here for the full statistics report (PDF)

Bulgaria: Meat processor invest 7mn in

renewable energy

Source: Meat International Date: 12/03 Reportedly this is a move to diversify activity, Stefan Raychev, the company's president, said. Mekom, a Bulgarian meat processor will invest seven million euros in setting up an installation for biogas and electricity production. Installation Further reports state that the installation will occur in Silistra on the Danube River where the company's meat-processing plant is situated. This location is so that steam, gas and electricity from the new unit could be used at the plant. Also, according to Raychev, Mekom is currently seeking out acquisition opportunities in neighbouring markets such as FYROM, Serbia and Croatia.

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YOUNG EUROPEAN MEAT COMMITTEE

NEWS

YEMCo is the “Young European Meat Committee” of the UECBV - the European Livestock and Meat Trading Union. It serves as the leading “think tank” of over 200 young executives and managers of approx. 15 000 European commercial and industrial firms engaged in livestock and meat business across Europe that the UECBV represents through its national member federations. Twice a year, YEMCo organizes a major 2-day

conference. At these meetings, YEMCo is graced with the presence of VIPs representing not only the meat industry but also the agri-food industry who serve as advisers and guides to young entrepreneurs. SPONSORING OPPORTUNIES FOR COMPANIES EXSIST. Please contact the UECBV secretariat at info@uecbv.eu

YEMCo in Toulouse: “Building the Future: Strategies of the European Meat Industry”

Why you should be in Toulouse! Registration period prolonged!

Source: YEMCo Date: 19/03

President Moser has prolonged the registration deadline until Friday March 27th 2009 for the YEMCo conference: “We are looking to innovative ways to build the future – we need input from young leaders all over the EU” she commented. Although the deadline for external events has expired and participation in these events cannot be guaranteed, the professional visits on Friday and the conference on Saturday offer a unique possibility to learn about the European Meat industry and the business opportunities, see regional and differentiated business processes and operations, learn about adopted business

models and marketing strategies as well as gain insights in the view of the leading CEOs in the business on future developments, opportunities and challenges. “The YEMCo conference should be an integrated part of training courses undergone in the slaughterhouses and the meat companies, it only happens twice a year and opens doors which normally remain closed” Vice President Mercedes CAMARA said. YEMCo Conference Toulouse - Programme - Rev.2 [EN] [FR] REGISTRATION FORM HOTEL BOOKING FORM [EN] [FR]

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CEO’s and Meat Leaders gear up for Toulouse!

Source: YEMCo Date: 19/03

Major CEO’s and leaders of the European Meat Industry are

gearing up to participate at the YEMCo conference in Toulouse in early April. They will provide Case studies and testimonies of their poultry meat, beef, and pig meat industries. The list includes the General Manager of SPANGHERO S.A. Mr. Jean-Marc Spanghero), Bigard-Socopa, Arterris Co-Operative (Francis Lamisse, General Manager of Arterris Co-Operative: turnover = EUR 600 million, number of employed people = 1100, number of members = 21000), Vitréenne d’Abattage (tbc), and Grampian/Vion (tbc). The latest addition to the programme Christine Walsh from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Running the successful course on integrated management in the read meat industry for future and being mentor to many young leaders in the UK, she will address strategic planning for the meat industry in turbulent times”. Find out about the YEMCo Top 12 Speakers (2001-2008) [EN]

Sign up to the YEMCo Newsletter

Source: YEMCo Date: 13/03

To sign up to the YEMCo Newsletter*, all interested parties are asked to simply send an e-mail to info@uecbv.eu and you will receive the newsletter several times a year. This also means that the UECBV Newsletter has now become a “Members only” Newsletter and does not have to distribute to national YEMCo members. *Signing up to the Newsletter means you automatically agree that your contact details (first name, Family name, name of the company and E-mail address) will be available to the public on the YEMCO website unless you specifically indicate for us not to publish it.

Networking and extra-curricular activities – a true Highlight at the

YEMCo conference

Source: YEMCo Date: 19/03

The list of activities around the visits to the meat processing plants and slaughterhouses as well as the conference on Saturday really compement and complete this year’s YEMCo conference making it not only a business trip but also a nice week-end get away with lots of networking opportunity through social events. The highlight surely is the visit to the AIRBUS A380 Assembly Site. The visit starts in the « Passenger Loading Lounge » with a presentation on the AIRBUS A380 programme. This is followed by a coach tour outside the Jean-Luc Lagardère facility. After this tour, you will enter the site and discover, from a facility-integrated lookout, the general test stations, the exterior test stations, and get a general view over the whole site. Also Indoor Karting will be offered. Apart from the many culinary delights during dinners and lunches, one should highlight the tasting of the REAL Cassoulet of Castelnaudary, which can only be done in this region. These moments offer valuable networking opportunities which could lead to more business opportunities. For accompanying persons, YEMCo offers a guided sightseeing tour by foot in Old Toulouse through narrow streets and squares, discovering mansions, religious buildings and lots of remarkable edifices: Saint-Sernin Basilica or the Jacobins Convent.

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Many “Friends of YEMCo”

published on YEMCo website

Source: YEMCo Date: 17/03

Friends of YEMCo from more than 15 EU countries can now be found on our Website. This valuable source gives networking and business opportunities and shows the relevance and united strength of YEMCo. Click here

YEMCo goes multilingual

Source: YEMCo Date: 19/03

In our efforts to boots participation in YEMCo we have begun to translate the infopage about YEMCo in several European languages to facilitate understanding. We are proud to offer it to you for download in: [Deutsch] [Bulgarian] [Spanish] [Swedish] [Italian] [Nederlands] YEMCo is looking for volunteers to translate the text into other languages as well, especially from the New Member States (this is in YOUR countries interest!). If you can and want to help, please send a message to info@uecbv.eu and we will supply you with the English text for your translation.

Sponsoring packages available

Source: YEMCo Date: 13/03

YEMCo depends on active sponsoring of companies who wish to use the popular online space of our

one-stop-shop webpage to

advertise their logo and their services. Or how about a stand at the next conference, with direct access to the future leaders of the meat industry? Several sponsorship

packages to suit your needs are available for you, simply contact the UECBV / YEMCo secretariat for more information and a quote: info@uecbv.eu

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WTO & INTERNATIONAL TRADE

WTO sees 9% global trade decline in 2009 as recession strikes

Source: Meat International Date: 23/03

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The collapse in global demand brought on by the biggest economic downturn in decades will drive exports down by roughly 9% in volume terms in 2009, the biggest such contraction since the Second World War, WTO economists forecast today (25 March 2009). “Trade can be a potent tool in lifting the world from these economic doldrums. In London G20 leaders will have a unique opportunity to unite in moving from pledges to action and refrain from any further protectionist measure which will render global recovery efforts less effective,” said Director-General Pascal Lamy. Click here

2009: International meat trade faces

uncertainties

Source: Meat International Date: 19/03 Uncertainty is the most noticeable conclusion of the Gira Meat Club in their

market prediction for the international meat trade in 2009. “The international economic recession,

changes in exchange rate, biofuel, animal diseases and the global power of distribution are only a few of the factors that have a major impact on the meat trade and they are hard to predict”, René Maillard, manager of the VLAM’s Belgian Meat Office, summarises the conclusions. Meat consumption worldwide is increasing A growing world population and the evolution to more urbanisation. These two factors are making meat consumption worldwide increase. “The fast evolution of the last few years has slowed down however. Above all poultry and pork are still benefiting from the greater demand for

meat,” adds Maillard. “A great part of the growth can furthermore be attributed to the developments in China. And it is precisely there that the economy has suddenly geared down.” 2008 a year of two halves However well the meat trade was doing in the first half of 2008, that same meat trade had a very tough time of it at the end of 2008. Until August there was still clear economic growth; during the fourth quarter

the economy plummeted in all areas. The oil price followed the same sharp rise and sudden fall. This had an immediate effect on the purchasing power in oil-producing countries such as Russia for example. “This has immediate consequences for the European meat trade”, Maillard clarifies. “Less consumption of meat in Russia led to a sharp fall in the German export to Russia. From Germany as the pivot of the European meat trade, the effect quickly spread to the other meat-producing countries.” In 2009 the international economy will not pick up straight away. Maillard expects the recession to continue in the United States, Europe and Japan. Meat consumption depends on standard of living The bigger the available income of a section of the population, the greater the amount of meat consumed. The United States are the absolute number one with their meat consumption of over 120 kg per

person. Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Brazil have a greater meat consumption than their purchasing power would have you suspect. Even meat consumption in China is clearly on the up and up. The big European countries on the other hand have slight underconsumption compared to the median. Expensive euro makes export difficult Exchange rates determine the relative competitiveness of a country. Since the credit crisis, export out of Europe has been difficult. After all, the rate of the euro is very high. “This makes our export to countries where the currency is weaker such as Great Britain, Russia and Poland difficult”, according to Maillard, who also notices a hopeful evolution in the United States. “The American dollar on the other hand recently regained terrain on other currencies. This plays into the cards of the European meat suppliers.” Competition between feed crops and biofuel “Every year biofuel is becoming increasingly important. Last year, 25% of the production of corn and maize were used for biofuel in the United States. And initiatives for energy production are also developing on other countries too. With immediate consequences for feed crops”, Maillard emphasises. “The costs of feed and food crops are rising due to the imbalance caused by supply and demand. In Europe we are furthermore being confronted with a negative attitude to GMOs, whilst our competitors in North and South America are resolutely opting for GMOs and thus gaining a considerable advantage in international trade.” Attention to animal disease and animal welfare In the past, BSE and other animal diseases have seriously disrupted the market. The biggest impact seems to have ebbed away but the meat sector has to remain very vigilant for new occurrences. Maillard sketches the impact on the meat trade: “In the meantime the sector is struggling with lasting costs due to stricter measures. Now the amended legislation imposes feeds and inspections are also

increasingly strict. The government furthermore increasingly shifts responsibility to the sector itself and offers less and less financial intervention.” In addition, animal rights activists have upped the fight to improve animal welfare. “Transport of live animals, castration of piglets without anaesthetic, suffering during slaughter and intensive livestock farming are the most recent subjects that are being played on in the media. And the solutions to these issues will also be accompanied by an increase in production costs”, Maillard predicts. Conclusion “2009 is clearly a year with many question marks,” concludes Maillard. “In any case the consumer won’t eat less, even in times of crisis. But he will adapt his buying behaviour. For example he will opt for cheaper products more and he perhaps demand less quality. Even when he buys meat.” Maillard finally predicts that the hard discounters will profit from the recession and that they will further expand their range of fresh meat.

New US Trade Representative: Ron

Kirk

Source: US Trade Rep. Office Date: 19/03 The United States Senate approved the nomination of USTR designee Ron Kirk as the nation’s 16th

trade representative.

As United States Trade Representative (USTR), Kirk is member of President Obama’s Cabinet and serves as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. He is the first African American to serve in the post. Kirk draws upon more than 25 years of diverse legislative and legal experience on local, state and federal levels. The office of USTR is responsible for the development and oversight of U.S. trade

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policy, including strategy, negotiation, implementation and enforcement of multilateral, regional/bilateral and sector-specific trade agreements. These include the ongoing Doha Development Agenda multilateral trade negotiations, as well as seventeen Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to which the United States is currently a party. As well, Ambassador Kirk is responsible for U.S. trade policy involving agriculture; industry; services and investment; intellectual property; environment; labor; development and preference programs.

Canadian Slaughterhouse approved

for export by European Union

Source: Meat International Date: 23/03 Montreal based Lucyporcs Yamachiche, Quebec hog slaughter and pork cutting plant has been granted approval to export pork products to the European Union. Read more…

Meat & Wool New Zealand launches

referendum

Source: Meat International Date: 13/03 Meat & Wool New Zealand has put a discussion document to sheep and beef farmers, proposing more focus and six activity areas of levy-funded investment for the next five years. Read more..

Brazilian beef exports to nearly

double by 2018-19

Source: Meat International Date: 18/03

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture is forecasting a 93% increase in beef exports during the next ten years (to

2018-19), totalling 4.63 million tonnes cwt (accounting for 61% of total world beef trade from the current 31%), with a 49% increase in production to 15.5 million tonnes cwt. Read more..

Russia slowly recovering

Source: Meat International Date: 13/03 There are early signs that beef buying from Russia is picking up. Imports increased last month, following low levels over the previous three months. Read more..

WTO Committee focuses on monitoring agriculture commitments

Source: WTO Date: 12/03 EU and US domestic support featured among delegations’ questions in a 12 March 2009 committee meeting devoted almost entirely to monitoring how WTO members are implementing their present commitments in agriculture. Click here

WTO Public Forum

Source: WTO Date: 05/03 28 - 30 September 2009: Over the past few years, the WTO Public Forum has firmly established itself as the major opportunity for governments, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses and students to come together to discuss issues regarding the multilateral trading system. The title of this year's Forum is “Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”. UECBV has actively participated in every public forum. Click here for more

WTO/SPS Transparency – Private standards

Source: WTO Date: 25/03

• EC Activity reports: January 2009

• WTO/SPS - Private Standards

Additional information: Document GEN/891 of 8 December 2008 - Research

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And Researchers on Private Standards

• WTO/SPS - Private Standards

Additional information: Questionnaire G/SPS/W/232 of 8 December 2008 on SPS-Related Private Standards - EC response dated on 16 February 2009

• WTO/SPS - Private Standards

Additional information: Work on private food safety and health standards moves to new phase – Outcome on 26 February 2009 in the framework of SPS area

PUBLIC AND ANIMAL HEALTH Too much Red Meat May Shorten Life

Span

Source: HealthDay News Date: 23/03 Diets high in red meat and in processed meat shorten life span not just from cancer and heart disease but from Alzheimer's, stomach ulcers and an array of other conditions as well, a U.S. National Cancer Institute study has found. In fact, reducing meat consumption to the amount eaten by the bottom 20 percent seen in the study would save 11 percent of men's lives and 16 percent of women's, according to the study. "The consumption of red meat was associated with a modest increase in total mortality," said Rashmi Sinha, lead author of the study in the March 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. "This fits together with the findings of the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Society, which recommend limiting the consumption of red meat," added Sinha, who is a senior investigator with the nutrition epidemiological branch in the cancer epidemiology and genetics division at the Cancer Institute. "This is something new in the sense of mortality." Previous studies of red meat had mostly found an association with cancer incidence. The authors pointed out that many pooled studies had been conducted by vegetarian groups. Last year, U.S. National Cancer Institute researchers reported that a quarter-pound hamburger or a small pork chop eaten daily could put you at increased risk for a variety of cancers. The message from the latest study echoes that finding: The more red meat and processed meat you eat, the greater your risk for dying of cancer. But the American Meat Institute objected to the conclusion, saying in a statement that the study relied on "notoriously unreliable self-reporting about what was eaten in the preceding five years. This imprecise approach is like relying on consumers' personal characterization of

their driving habits in prior years in determining their likelihood of having an accident in the future." "Meat is an excellent source of zinc, iron, B12 and other essential vitamins and minerals," the statement continued. "The U.S. Dietary Guidelines say to eat a balanced diet that includes lean meat. In this way, you derive a wide array of nutrients from many different sources. It's the best return on a nutritional investment you can get." Dr. Michael Thun, vice president emeritus of epidemiology and surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, however, said the study's findings "support previous studies and also support the American Cancer Society nutrition guidelines." Those guidelines include choosing fish, poultry or beans instead of beef, pork and lamb; choosing leaner cuts of meat; and baking, broiling or poaching meat rather than frying or charbroiling it. For the study, the researchers looked at what more than a half-million people, ages 50 to 71, were eating over the span of a decade. Participants tended to be white and educated with fewer smokers and more vegetable-and-fruit eaters than in the general population. During that time, more than 71,000 people died. Men and women eating the highest amount of red meat were found to have a 31 percent and 36 percent, respectively, higher risk of dying from any cause than those eating the least amount. Women eating the most processed meat were 25 percent more likely to die early than those eating the least of this type of meat, while men had a 16 percent increased risk, the study found. Causes of death for those in the study included diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, ulcers, pneumonia, influenza, liver disease, HIV, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and more. Dying from cancer also was more likely among those eating the most red meat: 22 percent higher for men, 20 percent for women. The risk for death from cancer increased 12 percent for men and 11 percent for women who ate the greatest amount of processed meat.

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Similarly, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was higher by 27 percent for men and 50 percent for women; for processed red meat, the risk was 9 percent higher for men and 38 percent higher for women. However, people who ate the most white meat showed a lower risk of dying. The authors also noted a 24 percent higher risk of dying from heart problems among men who had never smoked and who ate more white meat. Women faced a 20 percent higher risk. Meat contains many carcinogens as well as saturated fat, which might explain the increased mortality risk, the authors stated. Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., described the study's findings as "provocative." "The question is how much of it is the meat and how much is the extra calories," Brooks said. "Calories per se are a strong determinant for death from cancer and heart disease. This should make us think about our calorie intake."

Codex work

Source: EU Date: 23/03

• Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TFAMR) EC comments on:Codex Circular Letter CL 2008/33-AMR: "Request for comments on the Proposed Draft Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance". ES and FR translat ions avai lable

• Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) Thirtieth Session - Balatonalmadi, Hungary, 9 - 13 March 2009 European Communi ty comments on: i tems 2, 3a, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11

• Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) 3rd Session - European Community comments on Agenda Item 5 & Agenda Item 9 e)

Animal Health strategy – up-dated documents

Source: EU Date: 23/03

• The new Animal Health Strategy - Strategy's progress 2. - Animal Health Communication Plan Annual Communication Plan

• The new Animal Health Strategy - Strategy's progress 2. - Animal Health Communication Plan Action Plan

• The new Animal Health Strategy - Strategy's progress 30. Surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic agents by the use of antibiotics in animals Reflection paper on use of 3rd and 4th generat ion cephalosporins in food-producing animals

• Animal Diseases - Eradication and Monitoring Programmes - Legislation Veterinary programmes 2009 Commission Decision 2008/897/EC (approving annual and multi-annual programmes and the financial contribution from the Community for the eradication, control and monitoring of certain animal diseases and zoonoses presented by the Member States for 2009 and following years.)

EFSA NEWS

Source: EFSA Date: 03/2009

EFSA sets lower tolerable intake level

for cadmium in food EFSA’s Panel on contaminants in the food chain has set a reduced tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for cadmium of 2.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, based on an analysis of new data. Cadmium is a heavy metal that enters the environment from natural sources as well as industry and agriculture. Foodstuffs are the main source of cadmium exposure for the non-smoking population.

EFSA publishes opinion on the

potential risks arising from nanotechnologies on food and feed safety EFSA’s Scientific Committee has concluded that established international approaches to risk assessment can also be applied to

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engineered nano materials. It also concluded that a case-by-case approach would be necessary due to current data limitations and a lack of validated test methodologies.

Genetic TSE resistance in goats

Question number: EFSA-Q-2008-774

Published: 24 mars 2009 Adopted: 5 mars 2009 Summary (0.1Mb) Opinion (0.2Mb)

Highlighted Scientific committee

requests & mandates Animal cloning: call for data to support scientific advice EFSA has launched a call for data on the implications of animal cloning. This follows a request from the European Commission to provide further scientific advice on this issue, building on the recommendations included in EFSA’s 2008 opinion on the implications of animal cloning on food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment. The Commission has asked EFSA to further investigate the health and welfare of clones during their life span and the causes of disease and mortality during the gestation period and at early stages of life. EFSA will also consider the extent to which current knowledge on the cloning of cattle and pigs can be applied to sheep, goats and chicken. EFSA’s Scientific Committee will deliver its advice by June 2009. The call for data is aimed at all parties holding relevant information which has become available since January 2008, such as new publications or scientific information which has not yet been published. Request from the European Commission

to EFSA - 26 February 2009 (0.3Mb) EFSA's reply to the European

Commission - 6 March 2009 (0.2Mb)

Human health risk-benefit assessment of foods Mandate proposed to EFSA by the Scientific Committee on human health risk-benefit assessment of foods Benchmark Dose Approach in Risk Assessment Mandate proposed to EFSA by the Scientific Committee on the use of the Benchmark Dose Approach in Risk Assessment Animal welfare Mandate proposed to EFSA by the Scientific Committee on the implementation of a pro-active policy on the welfare of animals in the context of EFSA’s mission and tasks as stated in Regulation 178/2002

Food Contaminants - Aflatoxins

Source: EU Date: 23/03 • Guidance document for

competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation on aflatoxins As of March 2009

Towards better protection of and

respect for animals

Source: EU Date: 23/03

On 23 March 2009, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council adopted conclusions backing international efforts to gain support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The Council deems it important to achieve world-wide recognition of the need for animal welfare as an issue of common interest. It invites the member states and the Commission to support the initiative in international fora. Animal welfare is an established principle of the European Union that is dealt with in

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a protocol annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty. In the protocol, member states confirm their wish "to ensure improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings". It applies in particular to "the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies". The main motivation behind the declaration is an ethical concern. It aims to achieve global agreement on standards for animal welfare based on "five freedoms":

• freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition;

• from fear and distress; • from physical and thermal

discomfort; • from pain, injury and disease; and • freedom to express normal

patterns of behaviour. The declaration would consist of a set of principles and standards covering farm animals, pets, zoo and circus animals, animals in scientific research and wild animals. They would not only protect animals and their welfare needs, but also promote human health as they would contribute to sustainable farming systems and the improvement of food safety.

More information:

Council conclusions (pdf) Council webcast of press conference

Antibiotic bill would compromise food

safety, say farmers

Source: Foodproductiondaily Date: 26/03

Legislation that aims to stop the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals would impair the health of livestock and poultry as well as undermining the safety of the US food supply, claims the president of the largest US farm group. “Antibiotics are critically important to the health and welfare of the animals and to the safety of the food produced,” stated the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Bob Stallman, in a letter to Congress.

The proposed bills would ban the use of antibiotics important to human health from being used on cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry unless animals are ill. Read more...

ECJ ruling on German ban on meat

from uncastrated pigs

Source: EU/Agrafacts Date: 24/03

Danish meat producers are entitled to pursue the German government for compensation for its false implementation of the 1991 Fresh Meat Directive, according to a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) this week – seemingly the first time that the Court has confirmed that a Member State can be held liable for poor transposition of EU legislation. In a long-running saga, the case relates to the German ban on imports of pigmeat from non castrated male pigs (from 1993-1999), which went against EU veterinary & meat rules. (The German rules fixed maximum androstenon limits on the meat, claiming that meat with high levels of this hormone smelled bad.) The ECJ ruled in 1998 that this was against EU rules, as such meat was not defined at EU level as unfit for human consumption, and the Germans changed the law in mid-1999. However, the row over compensation has continued, under pressure from the Danish meat industry association Danske Slagterier. This latest instalment in the dispute relates to questions raised by the German Supreme Court, with the ECJ also saying that the rules on any time limit for making compensation claims is unclear. see the judgment

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The Food and Veterinary Office Source: EU Date: 23/03

Belgium 2008-7945

Live animals - intracommunity trade; identification, registration, sheep & goats

07/2008 Report details

Romania 2008-8003

Control of residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products, including controls on veterinary medicinal products

11/2008 Report details

Bulgaria 2008-8013

Control of residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products, including controls on veterinary medicinal products

12/2008 Report details

Ecuador 2008-7771

Control of residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products, including controls on veterinary medicinal products

10/2008 Report details

• The Food and Veterinary Off ice - Country Prof i les France Updated

NEW COMMUNITY LEGISLATION

Commission Decision of 20 March 2009 concerning the draft Regulations from Ireland on the labelling of country of origin of poultrymeat, pigmeat and sheepmeat (notified under document number C(2009) 1931) (1)

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Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

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Commission Decision of 19 March 2009 excluding from Community financing certain expenditure incurred by the Member States under the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) (notified under document number C(2009) 1945)

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Commission Decision of 20 March 2009 amending Decision 2008/855/EC as regards animal health control measures relating to classical swine fever in Germany (notified under document number C(2009) 1668) (1)

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Commission Decision of 20 March 2009 amending Decision 2003/135/EC as regards the eradication and emergency vaccination plans for classical swine fever in feral pigs in certain areas of the Federal States of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) (notified under document number C(2009) 1669)

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 225/2009 of 19 March 2009 on the issue of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quotas opened by Regulation (EC) No 533/2007 for poultrymeat

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 227/2009 of 19 March 2009 on the issue of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quota opened by Regulation (EC) No 1385/2007 for poultrymeat

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 228/2009 of 19 March 2009 on the issue of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quota opened by Regulation (EC) No 1384/2007 for poultrymeat originating in Israel

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 229/2009 of 19 March 2009 on the issue of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quota opened by Regulation (EC) No 1383/2007 for poultrymeat originating in Turkey

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 211/2009 of 18 March 2009 on the issuing of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quota opened by Regulation (EC) No 1399/2007 for sausages and certain meat products originating in Switzerland

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 212/2009 of 18 March 2009 on the issuing of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of March 2009 under the tariff quota opened by Regulation (EC) No 1382/2007 for pigmeat

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Commission Decision of 18 March 2009 amending Decision 2008/185/EC as regards the animal health conditions for trade in pigs between Member States or regions thereof which are free of Aujeszky’s disease (notified under document number C(2009) 1687) (1)

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 199/2009 of 13 March 2009 laying down a transitional measure derogating from Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards direct supply of small quantities of fresh meat derived from flocks of broilers and turkeys (1)

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