TheDairySite Newsletter - 30 July 2010

TheDairySite Weekly Newsletter

Friday 30th July 2010

Our Sponsors Helping keep you updated for free!

ON-LINE SHOP News Company News Events Articles Diseases Treatments Employment Cattle Breeds SEARCH

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Moving The Industry Forward

The European Commission has authorised six genetically modified (GM) varieties of maize for food and feed uses.

The six GM maize varieties in question have received positive safety assessments and anything produced from these crops will be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules.

An increasing number of feed producers are joining the GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance Scheme. There are currently more than 11,000 participants in 67 countries.

Stricter market requirements, changes in the certification scheme and positive effects for the certified companies have meant that the scheme administrator, GMP+ International, expects a further increase in the number of participants.

China has been praised for its remarkable achievements in the prevention and control of animal epidemics so far this year.

Japan this week announced that it has lifted its state of emergency concerning foot-and-mouth disease, which involved the ban on the movement of animals being removed.

Namibia has also been praised this week by the FAO, for its swift action in halting the spread of Rift Valley Fever in the country following recent outbreaks.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 3 new features this week:

The Future Of European Dairy Policy
This report examines the EU dairy sector and international market developments. Particular attention is paid to the decline in intervention prices as applied in recent years and the possible impact of the abolition of the milk quota system. It also analyses the potential impact of a new WTO agreement and stricter environmental legislation.

Assessing Cow Comfort On Dairy Farms
One of the most important criteria for designing dairy barns is a comfortable place for cows to lie down. Producers spend millions of dollars renovating or building new facilities with cow comfort in mind, but what changes work and how can we evaluate them?

Residue Testing Shows Low Positive Level
In 2009, just 0.3 per cent of samples from Irish animals and products were positive for residues according to the the National Residue Control Plan for 2009.

Company News

Sanofi-aventis, Merck Appoint CEO For New JV
GLOBAL - Sanofi-aventis and Merck have announced their intention to combine Merial with Intervet/Schering-Plough, to create a new global leader in Animal Health to be called Merial-Intervet. Raul Kohan has been appointed CEO of the new joint venture when it is approved by regulatory authorities and closes, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2011.

New, Easier-To-Use Antibiotic Spray
UK - A new oxytetracycline antibiotic spray that promises greater convenience and less product wastage for livestock farmers is available from veterinary practices.

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News