Production dropped in 2003

According to provisional data, gross domestic production of poultry meat in the EU fell by 2003 percent to 3,6 million tons in 9,03. Significant growth was only recorded in Great Britain and Germany, while production fell in all other major producing countries.

The Netherlands and the economic area of ​​Belgium/Luxembourg recorded the strongest declines. The cause was the outbreak of avian influenza in the Netherlands, which also affected farms in Belgium: Gross domestic production in the Netherlands shrank by 171.000 tons or 24 percent; in Belgium/Luxembourg the decrease was 12,8 percent or 41.000 tons. The price situation in 5,5, which was unsatisfactory for suppliers, was probably the main reason for the four percent cuts in production in France and 2002 percent in Italy.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 597 times

Union demands implementation of the EU directive one-to-one

On the occasion of the renewed submission of a draft of the pig farming ordinance by Federal Minister Künast, the chairman of the working group on consumer protection, food and agriculture of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Peter Harry Carstensen MdB, and the responsible rapporteur, Gitta Connemann MdB, explained:

Trying makes you smart - this wisdom obviously does not apply to Minister Künast. Because she has re-introduced her controversial pig husbandry ordinance largely unchanged, although she had already failed with her draft in the Bundesrat last year. For good reason. Because this draft for the implementation of the EU directive on the pig husbandry ordinance still contains unacceptable competitive disadvantages for German agriculture. This applies, among other things, to the large area specifications for stables and boxes. Despite all expertise, Ms. Künast wants to stick to her demands.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 615 times

Swiss zoonosis report 2003

Meat and foods made from animal products also proved to be extremely safe in 2003. This is reported by the Federal Veterinary Office (BVET) in the "Swiss Zoonosis Report 2003". Zoonoses are animal diseases that can also affect humans.

As in previous years, the most common zoonosis in humans was Campylobacter disease, sometimes with severe diarrhoea. A total of 5692 people fell ill in 2003; slightly fewer than in 2002 (6740 cases). The most important risk factors are traveling abroad and the consumption of insufficiently heated poultry meat. In live poultry, the occurrence of Campylobacter decreased significantly by around a third compared to the previous year.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 627 times

The President of the German Farmers' Association (DBV), Gerd Sonnleitner, criticized the planned law for the reorganization of food and animal feed law as unclear and not user-friendly. By combining the areas of food and animal feed into one law, provisions that had only applied to one product group in the previous law would be extended indiscriminately to all products in the area of ​​application. This inevitably pre-programmed over-regulation. The simplification of the application of the law hoped for by the responsible Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture will not be achieved. In order to simplify the application of the law, the DBV therefore proposes reviewing the statutory powers of the draft law for their requirements. 

From the perspective of the DBV, only maintaining two independent areas, namely animal feed and foodstuffs and necessities, would guarantee easier application of the law for consumers, economic operators and administration. The necessary adaptation of the two regulatory areas to EU law could be carried out within the framework of a common article law for the reorganization of food and feed law with two separate areas. Sonnleitner emphasized that feed law should be understood as part of the food safety chain, despite the separate consideration of food and feed. Tried and tested structures in the legal system would make it possible to maintain the high level of consumer protection, since those applying the law and those subject to the law would be faced with familiar legislation. In addition, necessary future changes to legislation and law enforcement for the federal and state governments would be made significantly easier.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 674 times

EU supports research projects with 192 million euros

Next year, the European Union will support research into food quality assurance and food protection with 192 million euros. This was announced by the European Commission at a conference on food protection in Dublin. The funds from the EU program for research funding go to a total of 31 research projects and 13 smaller research units. All of these projects and initiatives conduct research on animal epidemics, emerging pathogens, foreign substances (e.g. in the cooling air), food allergies, etc. A total of 185 projects had applied for EU funding. The Commission will now enter into negotiations on the research contracts with the sponsors of the research projects, mostly consortia.

Commenting on the EU's commitment to food research, EU Research Commissioner Busquin said: Research in the fields of agriculture and food safety is crucial to ensure a high quality of life for all citizens in the enlarged Europe. This is truer today than ever before. On the other hand, the competitiveness of Europe's largest industrial sector must be maintained and further promoted. In addition, many of the funded research initiatives will help the EU to put its policies on a scientifically sound basis.”

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 615 times

The index of producer prices for industrial products was 2004% higher in May 1,6 than in May 2003. As the Federal Statistical Office also reports, the annual rate of change was +0,9% in April and +2004% in March 0,3. located. Compared to the previous month, the index rose by 2004% in May 0,5.

The increase in producer prices compared to the previous year is significantly influenced by the development of energy prices, which have risen by an average of 2003% compared to May 3,9. There was a particularly strong price surge for petroleum products (+ 12,9% compared to May 2003). This reflects the sharp rise in world market prices for crude oil. Specifically, the year-on-year price changes were as follows: fuel + 11,6% (including petrol + 11,7%, diesel + 11,6%), light fuel oil + 23,0%, heavy fuel oil + 12,9%, liquid gas + 21,5%.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 819 times

Kiel company Ecomares wants to produce six tons per year

Scientists from the Kiel-based company Ecomares have succeeded for the first time in breeding market-ready shrimp in closed aquaculture facilities. The researchers have been working on this for a year at their MariFarm base in Strande, the company Ecomares announced on Friday.

The special thing about the new technology: The crustaceans grow up in a so-called ecological recirculation system. According to Ecomares, the polluted water is treated in its own sewage treatment plant without chemical additives and returned to the breeding tank. "This technology, for example, uses significantly less energy than conventional breeding facilities. The process is also very environmentally friendly," reports Gerrit Quantz, Ecomares' graduate biologist and Chief Technical Officer (CTO). Ecomares did not use antibiotics or other medicines when rearing the animals. The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Agriculture has therefore funded the research project with 94.000 euros.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 602 times

Slight price weaknesses

 From the current perspective, July will probably bring slightly declining producer prices for livestock calves from Simmental breeding. As early as mid-June, an end to price increases was announced in the southern regions of Germany. Bull fatteners will be more cautious about stabling during July, since the earnings for male slaughter cattle are likely to be weak in the summer months. One or the other fattener will also toy with the idea of ​​limiting bull fattening with the decoupling of cattle premiums or giving it up altogether. The producer prices for Fleckvieh calves are likely to be above the four euro per kilogram mark on average in June. However, this level will probably not be maintained in July.

Black-and-white bull calves should still be in high demand from calf farmers as housed animals throughout June and bring in comparatively high revenues. In the first half of June, bull calves from Holstein breeding were billed at over 170 euros per bull calf, which was just short of the very high prices of the previous year. In July, animals for fattening calves are no longer in such high demand, and the seasonal downturn in the prices of livestock calves will probably not be able to be stopped, although without a similarly significant drop in prices as in the previous year.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 615 times

More money for cows, less for bulls

Prices on the EU slaughter cattle market developed inconsistently in May: while slaughter cows were valued higher on average than in April, young bulls fetched less money. At the beginning of the month, prices for slaughter pigs were also under pressure in most countries; In the second half of May, however, the slaughterhouses invested more as the demand for pork increased. The poultry markets were quite stable. On the other hand, egg prices were often under supply-related pressure. Firm tendencies prevailed on the dairy markets. Slaughter cattle and slaughter pigs

Beef cattle for slaughter were only available in limited numbers in important EU producing countries. In Germany almost ten percent and in the Netherlands a good eight percent fewer cattle were slaughtered than in the previous month. However, the proportion of veal for slaughter in both countries was significantly higher than in April, because veal was briskly ordered due to the asparagus season.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 613 times

Livestock and Meat

The situation on the beef markets in the third week of June was characterized by lackluster business, and prices were largely based on the previous week's deals. The payout prices for young bulls developed inconsistently: In the northern regions of Germany, the slaughterhouses had to pay more again because there was only a very limited supply. In the west, on the other hand, the quotations hardly changed, and in southern Germany the price peaks were usually slightly reduced. According to a preliminary overview, young bulls of the meat trading class R3 achieved the same as in the previous week with an average of 2,50 euros per kilogram slaughter weight; that was 16 cents more than a year ago. The slaughter cow market was characterized by prices that were just maintained or slightly weaker. The national average for cows in class O3 fell by around two cents to EUR 2,05 per kilogram slaughter weight, which was 18 cents more than in the previous year. The export of beef to the southern European holiday regions continued to support the market; the trade concentrated on precious parts and pan-fried items. - In the coming week there should hardly be any price increases for slaughter cattle. Slight deductions are more likely. - The veal season is drawing to a close, and carcass prices on the wholesale markets have fallen by up to ten cents per kilogram. The veal trade also calmed down at the level of mail-order slaughterhouses, and the prices paid for slaughter calves generally fell. - In the case of livestock calves, the price peaks seem to have been reached or slightly exceeded.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 605 times

The starting signal for the annual operating cost comparison for 2003 in the butcher's trade has been given, the questionnaires were sent to the participating companies, accounting offices, tax offices and state guild associations.

This business evaluation, which has been carried out for more than 25 years, is based on the balance sheets and profit and loss accounts of the 200 or so participating companies. These are assigned to the respective sales volume classes and analyzed with regard to their cost structures

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 579 times