Protection against the introduction of animal diseases from third countries

The EU has set new import rules for food of animal origin for personal consumption. They serve to protect against the introduction of animal diseases from third countries (non-EU countries). According to this, no milk, no meat and products made from it may be brought into the EU from third countries, even in private travel provisions. The new EU regulation replaces the regulation that has been in force since January 2003.

Meat, milk and products made from it are subject to the same veterinary requirements for non-commercial imports from third countries as for commercial imports. They must come from third countries that the European Community has approved for this purpose and be accompanied by health certificates laid down by Community law. The import must take place via a customs office to which a border inspection post required by veterinary law is assigned. This does not apply to goods from Andorra, Norway and San Marino intended for personal use.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 744 times

Livestock and Meat

The beef trade on the wholesale markets was characterized by a certain amount of pent-up demand in the first week of June. Demand is currently concentrating on the finer cuts such as roast beef, fillet and various leg parts. The prices strengthened. The supply of female cattle for slaughter was also extremely limited at the beginning of the first week of June. The prices paid for slaughter cows therefore continued to rise; for cows in class O3 they rose on average by two cents to 2,02 euros per kilogram slaughter weight. On the other hand, the demand for young bulls from the slaughterhouses fell back slightly. At the same time, the supply of young bulls increased due to the recent rise in prices. Therefore, surcharges could usually no longer be enforced for young bulls. Animals in the meat trading class R3 are expected to cost 2,47 euros per kilogram on average in the reporting week, which would be two cents less than in the previous week. Sales of precious parts to Southern Europe went very smoothly. There was also rapid demand for roast beef and pistols from cows produced in Germany in France. The trade conflict between Russia and the EU over disputed veterinary certificates has flared up again; At the beginning of the week, deliveries of beef to Russia were not possible. The further development remains to be seen. – In the coming week, prices for female cattle for slaughter are likely to remain stable, possibly trending higher again. In the case of young bulls, on the other hand, one can expect at most maintained, possibly even slightly declining prices. – The veal trade on the wholesale markets was characterized by good sales opportunities as well as considerable backlog demand and additional purchases. Veal prices for slaughter tended to remain unchanged across the board. The federal funds for flat-rate animals stagnated at around 4,54 euros per kilogram. – Stable to rising prices dominated the veal market.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 720 times

Butchers' association warns against incorrect designations in the counter

In the last few days, handicraft businesses have been checked on behalf of a renowned law firm to determine whether protected indications of origin within the meaning of the Council Regulation on the Protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs (2081/92 EEC) are being used. Affected companies were later asked to sign a cease-and-desist declaration within a week and to pay the attached cost note of around €800.

As already reported in dfv-intern 1/2004, the "Thuringian Liver Sausage", "Thuringian Red Sausage" and "Thuringian Rostbratwurst" are now protected throughout Europe. On December 17, they were entered in the "Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications" as Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). The use of the designations in question, but also similar designations, eg "Thuringian Art", is only reserved for manufacturers from Thuringia who are members of the corresponding association of origin.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 703 times

On April 30, 2004, three important new regulations on food hygiene and veterinary controls were published in the Official Journal of the EU. These regulations came into force on May 20th and will come into effect on January 1st, 2006. This completes a year-long reform process that has fundamentally changed the concept of established hygiene law and brought it into a new legal framework. The declared goal of bringing together the entire community hygiene and veterinary law and making it clearer, simpler and more coherent has been achieved. At the same time, by including agriculture, the "farm-to-fork approach" is implemented in a contemporary manner, taking into account the principles and basic concepts of the EU basic regulation 178/2002.

After a total of almost four years of deliberations, the goal of publishing the new regulations before May 1, 2004 was also achieved, although in the end, when the Council, EP and Commission reached a consensus, a more extensive discussion in favor of the quality of the texts would have been desirable. It is already necessary to immediately republish the legal acts (see below) published in the Official Journal of the EU No. L 139 of April 30.4.2004, XNUMX in a corrected form, since they contain serious editorial errors. This should be done by the end of June.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 860 times

Salmonella infections again from raw minced meat products

In recent weeks, infections caused by rare types of salmonella have increased in several federal states. Salmonellosis is often a very serious illness accompanied by diarrhoea, often also fever, headaches and circulatory problems, the cause of which is in the overwhelming majority of foods contaminated with salmonella. In the case of the infections that have now occurred, the germs were transmitted to humans via pork. The patients had eaten raw minced pork. Salmonellosis can be effectively avoided if the consumer refrains from consuming raw foods of animal origin, such as meat and eggs or dishes made using raw eggs. Minced meat should be well heated through. If eaten raw, there is a risk of infection.

Salmonella are widespread, they belong to the group of zoonotic pathogens. Zoonoses are infections that are transmitted from animals to humans and can lead to disease there. In animals such as pigs or poultry, the disease often goes undetected because the animals themselves usually show no symptoms of the disease. Of the well over 2000 different Salmonella subtypes, some often occur as causative agents of diseases. These include, for example, Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis. Others, such as Salmonella Goldcoast and Salmonella Give, which have now been identified as causative agents, are very rare.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 714 times

An innovation from industrial community research

The carotenoids in tomatoes and carrots have an antioxidant effect that is vital for humans. Many other bioactive substances contained in natural foods contribute to maintaining health, but also to accelerating the healing process. If these substances are added to processed food, they can lose the desired effect under certain technological influences, such as pressure or shear forces. In a project funded by the Food Industry Research Group and the Working Group of Industrial Research Associations (AiF), scientists from the University of Jena have found a way to make it easier to enrich food with bioactive substances, protect the substances and ensure their controlled release in the digestive tract.

Using porous material (glass or ceramic), microgels with a particle diameter of less than 100 microns are made from alginate or pectin, in which nutrients and probiotic microorganisms can be trapped. The gels consist of polysaccharides and can be added to various foods such as dairy products, fruit products and confectionery without affecting the sensory properties. By selecting the raw materials for the gel-forming substances, it is also possible to regulate the breakdown of the enriched gels in the gastrointestinal tract. The results introduce medium-sized companies in the food industry to future-oriented technologies.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 694 times

Bielefeld University presents study commissioned by WHO

For the sixth time, research teams from almost all European countries have presented the results of the "Health Behavior in School Children (HBSC)" study. The survey of over 160.000 young people in 35 European countries as well as the USA and Canada, in which Germany participated with 5.600 young people, was carried out on behalf of the World Health Organization.

"The health situation of young Germans is not bad in an international comparison," said project manager Prof. Klaus Hurrelmann and the two health scientists Matthias Richter and Anja Langness, who carried out the German study at Bielefeld University with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Security and the State Ministry for Health, Social Affairs, Women and Family NRW. "But when it comes to consuming cigarettes, young Germans are European champions. Among 15-year-olds, 25% of boys and 27% of girls are daily users. These figures are unusually high. They reflect the high pressure to present oneself as a interesting personality. In contrast to other countries, however, the unclear and unbelievable tobacco policy of federal and state governments is also reflected. In view of the devastating health consequences of daily cigarette consumption, convincing prevention programs and a clear legal basis are urgently needed," say the Bielefeld health scientists.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 779 times

Series: "Nutritional recommendations put to the test" [II]

The latest trend diets are called Atkins and South Beach. The principle of both diets is to ban carbohydrate-rich foods, i.e. bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, sweets and cakes from the menu. That is why they are also known as low-carb diets.

Sweet fruits and some starchy vegetables are also almost entirely absent. Instead, protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat and fish take up more of the diet. To avoid nutrient deficiencies, Atkins recommends supplements to match the diet.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 723 times

At its meeting on June 8, 2004 in Berlin, the Executive Committee of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) dealt, among other things, with the question of a structural reform of the central organizations of German skilled crafts. It states that the preparatory work in the working groups is well advanced. 
 
Corresponding amendments to the statutes of the ZDH, the Association of German Chambers of Crafts (DHKT) and the Confederation of German Trade Associations (BFH) will be submitted to the General Assembly on September 8th and 9th for voting. These amendments to the statutes will also include new structures for committees and bodies.

Against this background, the ZDH executive committee decides to convene a general meeting for December 10, 2004 to elect the committees and organs of the ZDH, in order to make new appointments on the basis of the new regulations in the articles of association, who can then take over responsibility promptly on January 1, 2005.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 702 times

Fishing companies in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will be subsidized in 2004 with 5,6 million euros in the areas of processing and marketing

Agriculture Minister Dr. At the beginning of June 2004, Till Backhaus (SPD) gave the Müritz-Plau GmbH fishery in Waren (Müritz district) a grant notification of around 120.000 euros to improve the processing and marketing conditions in the fish industry. These are EU funds from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIAF) as well as federal and state funds from the joint task "Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection" (GA). A total of around EUR 1,6 million in GA funds and around EUR 4 million in FIFG funds are available this year to support investments in processing and marketing. Last year, 13 companies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were supported with 2,6 million euros from the EU and 1,2 million euros from the federal and state governments.

The Müritz-Plau GmbH fishery, founded in 1991, operates lake and river fishing, pond farming and produces trout in gutter systems. At the Waren-Eldenburg site, various types of fish such as eel, trout, salmon, halibut, zander, perch and others are processed into smoked fish, ready-to-cook fresh fish, frozen goods and fish steaks. The company employs 72 people.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 696 times

Large companies dominate

In the Czech Republic, there have been profound changes in agriculture over the last 15 years. Livestock has shrunk drastically. The number of people employed in agriculture fell from 513.000 to 156.000; that is still 3,4 percent of all employees in the country. The following overview of the structures of pig breeding and keeping in the Czech Republic is based on information from the Czech Pig Breeding Association.

Since 1990, the number of cattle in the Czech Republic has shrunk by 60 percent to 1,43 million animals. The pig stocks have not been reduced quite as drastically. At the beginning of 2004, there were still 3,31 million pigs, 31 percent fewer than in 1990. By the beginning of April 2004, however, the number had fallen by a further six percent. The Czech Republic therefore has fewer pigs than Bavaria, where around 2003 million pigs were counted in November 3,62.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 729 times