With this finding, France is the 20th country that has detected H1N1 in animals. In all cases, the animals were infected by humans with flu characteristics. The disease symptoms in animals are mild.

The virus has been found in animals in Canada, Australia, Chile, UK, Ireland, Norway, Japan, Iceland, Indonesia, Finland, USA, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Russia, Denmark, Argentina, Serbia and France.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) watches over the risks that the virus is transmitted via meat consumption. The OIE advises to keep the control of the virus running to get a good insight of the spreading of the virus.

 

www.worldpoultry.net

Effective January 1, 2010 Russia has banned chickens from countries using chlorine in poultry processing. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin recently weighed into the Russian ban on US chicken imports. Putin made the Americans the “odd man out” saying that Russia was merely joining the EU in banning, for food safety reasons, chickens from chlorine-using countries.

Russia has announced that the country would import a total of 780,000 mt of poultry in 2010. The US quota is 600,000 mt for 2010. Since the ban, however, prices for American poultry in Russia are up about 20%.

Ozone is safe
"Our ozone treatment is a safe, chemical free solution as an effective antimicrobial," said Aquentium CEO Mark Taggatz.

The Aquentium complete line of commercial ozone equipment is an alternative to chemicals for disinfection of both air and water. In addition to purification of air and water, the ozone equipment extends the shelf life of fresh food naturally - without the use of chemicals.

The use of ozone in the food industry is approved by the USDA and FDA and is also approved for organic certification. The uniqueness of the equipment is that ozone is over 50% more effective than chemicals and over 3,000 times faster acting than chemicals. Ozone is generated from oxygen and is non-toxic.

How ozone destroys pathogens
Ozone eliminates or reduces pathogens by destroying the cell wall. Pathogens cannot develop resistance to ozone as they can to antibiotics, so there is no danger of developing superbugs through the use of ozone.

Organisms destroyed by ozone according to Taggatz include: bacteria, cysts, yeast, viruses, protozoa, algae, fungal pathogens. Ozone is the strongest disinfectant available, and is more than 3,100 times faster than chlorine in killing bacteria.

No harmful by-products
Ozone disinfection produces no harmful by-products. In contrast, chlorine disinfection creates carcinogenic by-products. Ozone dissolved in water completely reverts to regular oxygen within 20 minutes, so there is no residue. For this reason, disinfection must always be accomplished with ozone water fresh and cold from the tap.

Ozone dissolved in water is completely safe and rinsing your hands in ozone water will sanitize better than using any chemicals or soap and water.

 

www.worldpoultry.net

Over 500 exhibitors already reserved a space, covering 36 different countries. VIV Europe will be centered around innovation in the animal protein industry, say the organizers, adding that many companies have chosen this international platform to show their new products to the world.

Matchmaking at VIV Europe
Enterprise Europe Network Nederland proudly presents a unique platform for companies to meet new business & co-operation partners and share innovative technologies. Companies can request pre-arranged b2b-meetings according to their time schedule and co-operation interests. This matchmaking event will take place from 20-21 April. Participation is free of charge. For further information, click here.

Feed Tech pavilion
This year for the first time the market leaders of the Feed Technology Industry (machinery & equipment) will be present at VIV Europe. Companies active in the Feed Technology Industry will show their innovations to the attendees of VIV Europe. A special Feed Tech Pavilion will be the meeting point for anyone interested in the Feed Technology Industry (machinery & equipment).

Eggs!
This year for the first time present at VIV Europe 2010, is the special theme Eggs!, which will be visible on the Eggs! Pavilion, where several activities will take place.

Here, different speakers, from related companies as well as with an academic background, will give presentations on breeder management, incubation & hatchery, day-old chicks & rearing, layer farms, egg handling and egg processing.
The Eggs! Conference takes place on 20 and 21 April.

Meat Safety
The special theme Meat Safety will be present at VIV Europe 2010. Activities taking place at the pavilion include a Meat Safety Quiz, a Meat Safety Walk and a Meat Safety Information Lounge. The Meat Safety Conference will take place on 20 and 21 April. The conference will cover different subjects; farming & breeding, nutrition, slaughter & processing processes, retail & consumer, measuring & monitoring and opportunities & threats.

Country Pavilions
At the exhibition floor of VIV Europe 2010, different country pavilions will be present. These country pavilions are; a Spanish Pavilion, a French Pavilion, an Italian Pavilion and a Chinese Pavilion. Next to the country pavilions, several international delegations will be visiting VIV Europe 2010, like a Russian and an Iranian delegation.

 

www.worldpoultry.net

�gWe supply more than 7.5 million eggs worldwide each year and we want all of these to be free range well ahead of the EU changes regarding chicken farming in 2012," said Barry Samms of Garrets International�fs purchasing department, who is overseeing this project. �gWe are introducing this new policy in the UK, Belgium, Holland and Germany and are finding our clients are welcoming the opportunity to purchase more ethically�]produced eggs at our competitive prices."

The company plans to extend its free�]range policy to customers throughout the world as soon as the right resources become more widely accessible.

�gBy supplying free-range eggs our seafarers are able to enjoy a high quality product which we offer with the knowledge that it also helps to support more ethical food production practices,�h explained Samms.

�gGarrets is already recognised for supplying high quality stores to its vessels and we intend to continue to maintain our high standards. Our free�]range egg policy is only the beginning for us and we now plan to expand our approach to include other free range and organic products for onboard consumption,�h he concluded.

 

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These results include an income tax benefit of $102.4 mln related to a net operating loss carryforward, and a net charge of $32.7 mln related to the company's reorganization. For the comparable quarter a year earlier, the company reported a net loss of $228.8 mln on total sales of nearly $1.9 bln.

"Our financial results have improved dramatically over the past year as we work to create a market-driven company clearly focused on delivering the highest levels of service, selection and value to our customers as efficiently as possible," said Don Jackson, Pilgrim's Pride president and CEO. "While we are pleased with the progress we have made, we recognize that there is much more work to be done in positioning Pilgrim's Pride for sustained, profitable growth. We will continue to focus on opportunities for improving our product mix, expanding our customer base and operating more efficiently."

Market pricing for chicken
Market pricing for chicken products during the quarter was mixed. The average market price for breast meat rose 8% and for wings increased by 37% versus the same period a year earlier. The average market price for leg quarters, however, declined 10% and Georgia Dock dropped about 5%. Pilgrim's Pride said its total US feed-ingredient costs in the quarter declined approx. $120 mln, or 20%, when compared to the same period a year ago.

Operating figures
The company reported an overall operating profit of $7.6 mln for the quarter, an improvement of $185.8 mln from a year earlier. Operating income was driven by higher gross profit and a $16 mln reduction - or nearly 17% drop - in Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses in the company's US operations as the company continued to benefit from expense reduction efforts during its reorganization.

"Today our business strategy is clear," said Dr. Jackson. "We are squarely focused on being a market-driven company that produces to the needs of our customers and the market. We have reduced our production of commodity chicken and are targeting higher-margin products. Our core retail and foodservice demand is driving supply. Our supply chain is focused on optimizing production, while our operations group is driving performance through safety, quality, productivity and cost efficiency."

 

www.worldpoultry.net

The program is open to National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association members with poultry processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills or rendering facilities that have injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workplace injury and illness rates for the poultry industry have reduced by 73 percent over a 15 year period (1994 through 2008).

Craig Wyvill, retired division chief of the Georgia  Tech Research Institute’s Food Processing Technology Division states, “The dramatic reduction in recordable injuries and illnesses is not surprising when you consider that over the past 25 years the industry has put considerable emphasis not only on complying with safety regulations but also on proactively tackling safety challenges.  (The industry’s) efforts have changed the way safety is handled in processing plants today.”

“The overriding purpose of establishing safety excellence awards for our member organizations is to recognize the outstanding safety performance achievements of member companies and to encourage continuous safety and health program improvement throughout our industry,” said Joint Poultry Industry Safety and Health Council Chairman Brian Rodgers, director, safety and risk management, Butterball, LLC.

Award program rules and applications may be obtained at http://www.poultryegg.org/files/SafetyAward.doc. The application deadline for this year’s awards is March 15, 2010. The annual awards will be presented during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, June 9-11, 2010, at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL .

The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council is made up of members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation.  Collectively, the three organizations represent 95 percent of the nation’s poultry products and employ hundreds of thousands of workers.

 

www.nationalchickencouncil.com

N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Co., Ltd., (NEO) announced the readiness of ILDEX Vietnam 2010 which will take place on March 25-27, 2010 at the New Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. At the Kick-off Launching of ILDEX Vietnam 2010, Ms. Ladda Mongkolchaivivat, General Manager, N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer (NEO) told industry representative that “ILDEX Vietnam 2010 will be the largest livestock exhibition in Vietnam. It will be a technology showcase of 125 companies from 22 countries including country pavilion from France, Singapore, Korea, China, Shanghai City, and the Netherlands. A number of international governmental and industrial bodies such as Korean Animal Health Products Association, Canadian Swine Association, British Pig Association, Vietnam Department of Animal Health, Vietnam Department of Livestock Production and CCPIT Shanghai have confirmed their participation at this industrial event.”

With heavy promotion campaign and full government support especially from the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development of Vietnam, NEO believes that ILDEX Vietnam 2010 will attract a lot of traders and buyers from over 46 cities and provinces surrounding Ho Chi Minh City. Free shuttle service will be provided for trade visitors from those areas.

ILDEX Vietnam 2010 comes in perfect timing as Vietnam livestock, dairy, meat-processing, and aquaculture industries are searching for new technology and business solutions to move the industry to the next level.

Aiming to provide the industry representative with clearer perspective of Vietnam livestock and aquaculture industries, ILDEX invited Professor Hoang Kim Giao, Director of Department of Livestock Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr. Nguyen Van Trong, Vice Director-General, Aquaculture Research Institute II of Vietnam to give keynote speeches on “Husbandry in Vietnam – Current Status and Development Goals” and “Overview Aquaculture in Vietnam” respectively.

Prof. Hoang Kim Giao underlined the important of Vietnam livestock industry. However, he said that “it is time for Vietnam to change the structure of its agriculture and rural development. Priority should be given to development of livestock industry including industrialization of livestock farming and food production management to produce high-quality livestock products that meet international food safety standard and enough to serve rising domestic and export demands. Equally important is to protect the natural environment for sustainable development.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Trong echoed the needs for technology and modern business solutions for Vietnam aquaculture industry. Although fish and shrimp have been growing rapidly, both have been facing continuous challenges especially rising production costs, lowering prices and disease management. “Our aquaculture industry might be growing a little too fast especially for catfish farming. The industry must seriously look into sustainable farming management. This time around, the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity to ensure that growth will continue at sustainable pace. Pangasius for example, we are having market problems so while expanding into new markets we need to be certain that Vietnam’s products meet safety standards and food hygiene, required by importers.”

Apart from technology and business solutions on the exhibition floors, ILDEX Vietnam Aquaculture Conference 2010 under the theme ‘the new dimensions for Vietnam Aquaculture Industry’ will be a good education forum for stakeholders along the production chain from pond/hatchery operators to technical level personnel to managers, feed manufacturers, government officers to grasp the issues facing by the industry and develop suitable policies and aquaculture suppliers supporting the industry. 

For more information of ILDEX Vietnam 2010 and ILDEX Vietnam Aquaculture Conference 2010, please contact Mr. Lertwat Chanthatarath – Senior Sales Manager at Tel: +66 2 203 4261-4, E-mail: lertwat@Qsncc.com or visit www.ildex.com

 

www.ildex.com

The Forum is a joint effort of US Poultry & Egg Association and the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association.

Dr. Paul Aho, Poultry Perspective, said that he expects US bulk leg quarter prices will be lower in the first half of 2010 than they were in the same period in 2009. In the second half of the year, he expects leg quarter prices will exceed year before levels and will end the year around $0.10 per pound higher than at the end of 2009. He said that trade difficulties with Russia will create a drag on leg quarters early in 2009, but he expects some resolution to the dispute and that Russia will buy US leg quarters in 2010.

Boneless skinless breast meat prices should be higher in the US throughout 2010 than in 2009, according to Aho.

Mike Donohue, Agri Stats, said that because of higher grain and energy prices, live production performance is more important than it has been in 20 years. Fortunately, 2009 was an outstanding year for the US industry in terms of live performance.

Donohue credited a number of factors for the long-term trend of improvement, including improvements in bird genetics and in on-farm equipment and housing. Average livability for the industry was over 96% in 2009, up 1.5% from 20 years ago. Improved flock health has also resulted in a roughly two thirds reduction in the rate of field condemnations at the processing plant from the levels of 20 years ago. Donohue also explained that some of 2009’s outstanding live broiler performance can be attributed to increased downtime between broiler flocks which was a result of production cutbacks.

The range between the best and poorest performing companies in terms of feed cost per live pound of broiler has increased from around $0.05 per pound in 2005 to $0.11 per pound in 2009. Donohue said that this increased spread results from the costs of grain purchasing positions, logistics of moving grain and differences in bird performance.

Subsidized corn-based ethanol production in the US continues to cost the US broiler, turkey and egg industries billions of dollars, according to Donohue. Over the last 2.5 years he estimated that based on Agri Stats data, US poultry producers have spent $18.5 bln more for corn because of the ethanol mandates, subsidies and tariffs.

Commenting on projected profitability of the US poultry industry, Donohue said, “2010 should be a good year for the industry.”

 

www.worldpoultry.net

“We destroyed 50 ducks and 150 chickens in Pralay Meas village today,” said Thai Ly, Takeo province’s chief officer of domesticated animals.
Thai Ly said that authorities would continue the cull until all fowl in the village were eliminated.

“At that point, we will closely monitor the village [for infections] for the next 30 days and continue to ensure that no poultry is sold or trafficked through the area,” he said.

Thai Ly said that officials will soon hold talks with farmers and vendors across Koh Andeth district to discuss the ban on selling poultry and other temporary measures critical to containing the bird flu outbreak.

Nhib Sron, director of the Takeo agriculture office, said that almost all of the ducks in the village had been destroyed on the first day of the cull, allowing authorities to focus their attention on elusive and highly mobile chickens.

“There aren’t nearly as many chickens as ducks in the village, which makes them harder to pin down, compounded with the fact that unlike ducks they tend to walk around everywhere,” he said.

He said that as an additional precaution, the perimeter of the village was being sprayed with an antibacterial agent called TH-4, although the compound is not effective against viruses.

Nhib Sron also said that authorities planned to confine the cull to Pralay Meas village despite instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to kill all poultry within 5 kilometres of the outbreak area.

“Within the 5-kilometre range, we are still going to enforce the commercial ban on poultry and teach people about the dangers of the disease,” he said, adding that no human infections had been reported.

On Wednesday local authorities and representatives from several ministries launched their response to the outbreak, which centred on a village-wide poultry cull that saw 710 ducks and 350 chickens eliminated by day’s end.

The ministry ordered the cull on Tuesday after several ducks killed in an unidentified outbreak tested positive for the H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu. Before the results were announced, more than 19,500 ducks had died and 35,000 had fallen ill.

Cambodia reported its first case of H5N1 in poultry in January 2004. Four human cases of bird flu were reported in Cambodia between February and May of 2005, all of them fatal. There have been nine known cases of bird flu in Cambodia. Two of them, including the case of a Kampong Cham man diagnosed in December, have been non-lethal.

www.phnompenhpost.com

According to Environment Minister Maged George, live poultry will be gradually phased out to be replaced by frozen poultry produced by licensed slaughterhouses.

The minister said that he planned to hold a conference later this month--in cooperation with the UN, international organizations and local NGOs--to implement a national plan aimed at combating bird flu over the coming three to five years.

A total of 28 Egyptians have died of bird flu since the virus first appeared in 2006.

 

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