Livestock and Meat

At the beginning of November, the prices for slaughter cattle developed differently depending on the animal species: Farmers mostly achieved stable prices for young bulls because the supply of animals was limited. On a weekly average, young bulls in the meat trading class R3 brought in an unchanged 2,73 euros per kilogram slaughter weight. In the case of slaughter cows and heifers, however, producer prices fell: According to a preliminary overview, cows in class O3 changed hands for 1,94 euros per kilogram slaughter weight, which was three cents less than a week ago. Because both in Germany and in the neighboring EU countries, plenty of slaughter cows were offered. Beef carcass prices often tended to remain unchanged on wholesale meat markets. Prices for the beef trade were also stable, especially for cuts. Precious parts, on the other hand, remained difficult to market, mostly for less money than before. – In the coming week, prices for young bulls are likely to remain stable; renewed price reductions for slaughter cows and heifers cannot be ruled out. Whether more beef will be in demand in the coming weeks cannot yet be foreseen. – The market situation for slaughter calves hardly changed at the beginning of November. The producer prices for calves billed at a flat rate remained at EUR 4,13 per kilogram slaughter weight. On the meat wholesale markets, the prices for veal mostly fell. – Black and Pied calves could be placed on the market at different prices depending on the quantity on offer. There was a slightly larger range of Fleckvieh and Brown Swiss animals, but prices were mostly stable.

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DBV: Consumer protection measures remain in place

The German Farmers' Association (DBV) welcomed the Bundesrat's decision to amend the BSE testing ordinance. At the request of the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Bundesrat spoke out in favor of raising the BSE test age for all cattle slaughtered for human consumption from July 2005 to the age limit of 30 months set by the EU. The regulation in force in Germany has so far stipulated that animals must be examined when they are over 24 months old. According to an accompanying resolution of the Federal Council, a study by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment on the BSE situation in Germany, which is expected in the first quarter of 2005, is to be taken into account when amending the BSE investigation regulation.

As early as September 2003, the Bundesrat called for the test age limit in Germany to be raised from 24 months to 30 months. However, the federal government did not agree to this demand, although the DBV determined that not a single case of BSE was found among all healthy cattle under the age of 30 months that had previously been tested for slaughter. In view of the fact that almost 4 years have passed since the absolute feed ban for animal proteins and fats, it can no longer be assumed that cattle under the age of 30 months will contract BSE.

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DBV sees great importance in animal welfare in Germany

The German Farmers' Association (DBV) sees the Federal Council's decision as confirmation of its view that animal protection in Germany is given a very high and sufficient status by the Basic Law and the specialist laws. The Bundesrat has rejected a right of collective action for animal welfare associations in animal welfare issues, as brought to the Bundesrat by the state of Schleswig-Holstein. In the opinion of the DBV, the right of collective action does not conform with the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany. It contradicts the system to grant associations the right to sue. In the opinion of the DBV, the view of animal protection associations is one-sidedly directed towards the interests determined by the purpose of the association and does not take into account other interests of the common good that affect the general public.

As early as May 2004, the DBV executive committee had rejected the right to take collective action in a detailed statement. Animal protection has been anchored in the Basic Law as a national goal since 2002. This state objective obliges all state bodies to ensure compliance with animal welfare. Already today, the animal welfare organizations have far-reaching opportunities through participation in the animal welfare advisory board, the advisory commission of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and through federal hearing procedures for the preparation of laws and regulations.

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Legal imbalances between animal users and the animals to be protected must be overcome

Undine Kurth, spokeswoman for animal protection policy for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in the Bundestag, regrets the Bundesrat's rejection of the introduction of a right of collective action for animal protection associations.

We regret that the Federal Council rejected Schleswig-Holstein's initiative to introduce a right of action for animal welfare organizations. This misses a great opportunity to strengthen animal protection in Germany and to give it a voice in legal disputes. The state objective of animal protection would have been given greater practical importance.

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There are obviously double standards in Europe

Dioxin alarm in Europe: French fries eaters are worried. Authorities are feverishly searching for dioxin-contaminated feed. But obviously there are double standards in Europe. Free-range eggs are legally contaminated with elevated levels of dioxins. According to Dutch scientists, 26% of the organic laying hen farms in the Netherlands supply eggs that exceed the dioxin limit of 3 pg TEQ/gram fat by a multiple. According to Belgian scientists, such highly contaminated eggs make a significant contribution to consumers' overall exposure to dioxins.

The problem lies in the posture. Free-range hens pick up soil particles contaminated with dioxins when pecking and scratching in the open and then store them in the fat portion of the eggs. Soilworms eaten by free-range hens are also discussed as sources of dioxins. This is practically impossible in caging.

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In Germany, 700.000 geese vegetate in fattening facilities - there is no statutory housing regulation!

On November 11th, the holiday of Saint Martin, it's that time again: thousands of geese will lose their lives. Roast goose is one of the most popular seasonal dishes in Germany. A good 95% of geese are eaten in the last few weeks of the year. Thanks to concentrated feed and growth promoters, the “turbo fattening” only takes 12 weeks until the animals are “ready for slaughter”.

The roast goose looks appetizing, with brown gravy, dumplings and red cabbage - but if you look behind the scenes, every bite gets stuck in your throat.

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Top handcrafted products and regional specialties at the breakfast buffet

For successful hoteliers, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The quality and selection of the breakfast buffet is a crucial point for guests when it comes to the overall rating of a hotel. Many top German hotels are therefore increasingly relying on local, handcrafted suppliers when it comes to adding more quality and variety of taste to their breakfast buffets.

The German Butchers Association is also responding to this trend and organizes a special breakfast campaign in a top German hotel once a year. This year, the guests of the Hotel Berlin were treated to handcrafted delicacies on November 3rd and 4th. Two selected companies presented their top products over two days to experts from the catering and hotel industry and of course to the over 450 guests of the Sternen-Haus on Lützowplatz.

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Suspected dioxins in feed from the Netherlands

As the responsible authorities announced, 12 slaughter bulls from Schleswig-Holstein, which were fed with potato peelings that may be contaminated with dioxins, were delivered to a slaughterhouse in Bavaria. The animals have already been slaughtered there.

Any meat that is still available is held back in the slaughterhouse. Food control has samples tested for dioxin. In addition, the further delivery routes of the meat are determined. Sample test results are expected later this week.

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Daniel Meile (39) is the new CEO of the Nestlé subsidiary Herta GmbH. The Swiss native follows Hans-Werner Pfingstmann (65) in this position.

Since joining Nestlé in 1990, Meile has held international career positions with increasing responsibility at the food company, including in Australia, South Korea, South Africa, Argentina, France and Taiwan.

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Initial analyzes for meat are cheap - tracing works systematically

On Wednesday, November 3, 2004, it was revealed that byproducts from the McCain potato processing plant were contaminated with dioxin. On the same day, 120 Dutch livestock farms where animals had been fed these by-products were closed. Thanks to the Dutch animal feed sector's traceability systems, the affected farms could be identified within a day. Some Belgian and German companies also appear to have purchased these products and this has been passed on to the relevant authorities in Germany and Belgium accordingly. The closure of the affected businesses will remain in place until there is certainty about the safety of the animals and their products.

Meat industry takes precautionary measures

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Dutch Agriculture Minister says: “No increased dioxin levels”

The Dutch Minister of Agriculture Dr. CP Veerman emphasized that analyzes show that potato products do not have elevated dioxin levels.

In a letter to the Chairman of the Second Chamber of Parliament dated November 9, 2004, the minister wrote, also on behalf of the Dutch Minister of Health: “In my previous letter I stated that a slightly increased background level of dioxins was found in potato products intended for human consumption that this is not harmful to health. In the meantime, analyzes of other potato products have shown that there are no elevated dioxin levels. I would like to emphasize that the values ​​found do not exceed the so-called trigger value specified by the EU.”

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