TheBeefSite Newsletter - 15 September 2010

Wednesday 15th September 2010

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Strong Opinions On Badger Cull

Proposals for additional measures to help control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle in England, have been put forward for public consultation by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

Defra is consulting on a proposal to issue licences to farmers and landowners who wish to cull and/or vaccinate badgers at their own expense. These licences would be subject to strict licence criteria to ensure badger control is done effectively, humanely and with high regard for animal welfare.

The proposals have been welcomed by the farming industry, including the National Farmers' Union and the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Since January 2010, almost 14,000 cattle have been slaughtered due to TB. Last year, 25,000 cattle were culled in England.

Mr Paice says that it is almost guaranteed that any proposal put forward will be met with objections. "At the moment, we are working hard to ensure that we can overcome any objection met now or in the future," he said.

Farm organisations representing Spain, France, Ireland and Italy met earlier this week to discuss market prospects and the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) for the livestock sector.

It was decided that low cattle prices are a major problem across Europe and there are concerns that there will be a severe drop in beef supplies, as producers are forced out of business.

All organisations agreed that direct payments must be protected under the future of the CAP debate.

Regardless of how producers or consumers feel about direct payments, the fact of the matter is that without them, many EU farming systems are not viable.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

Opportunities for Offal
Consumption of offal in the UK rose by 67 per cent between 2003 and 2008 and was valued at £62 million, writes TheCattleSite senior editor Chris Harris.

Japan - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual
The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Miyazaki is unlikely to have a significant impact on national cattle and pig production this year due to the fact that the disease was contained by the end of July without spreading further to neighbouring prefectures and other major livestock-producing regions in Japan, according to the latest Beef and Pork Market Outlook from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate - September 2010
The forecast for 2011 has been reduced as higher feed prices encourage cattle producers to keep cattle on forage longer and tempers pork, broiler, and turkey production gains, according to the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

US Feed Outlook - September 2010
A decrease in corn production for 2010 has been seen from last month, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS).

Company News

Merial Statement On PETA Allegations Against PLRS
US - Merial has released a statement on allegations from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against Professional Laboratory and Research Services Inc. (PLRS).

Global Beef Cattle Industry News