Möllenberg demands: "End work contracts for slaughterhouses"

"The nationwide raid by customs on Hungarian front companies and German agency offices, on slaughterhouses and construction sites has shown that there is an urgent need for action to prevent illegal employment of foreigners," said Franz-Josef Möllenberg, chairman of the Food and Beverage Restaurants Union (NGG). declared in Hamburg.

The suspicion - smuggling, illegal hiring out of employees, social security fraud amounting to several million euros and wage dumping - is congruent with allegations by the public prosecutor's office in connection with the employment of Romanian contractors in German slaughterhouses. For several years, the NGG union has been pointing out the loopholes in the work contracts and calling for more effective action against illegal employment and wage slavery. Möllenberg has called on Federal Economics Minister Wolfgang Clement to remove slaughterhouses from the scope of work contracts and to end work contracts. The very time-consuming and difficult control actions showed that the registration practice of the employment offices did not work. According to the NGG chairman, the employment offices are obviously not in a position to check whether the provisions of the work contract agreement are being observed.

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Demand for meat receives impetus

Experience has shown that more lively demand for beef and pork can be expected on the German meat markets in the coming weeks of May. The start of the barbecue season should provide impetus for the meat sector. Prime cuts of beef and veal are also often the focus of interest, as many private family celebrations take place during this time and the asparagus season is in full swing - provided the weather cooperates. On the other hand, the Pentecost holidays begin in some federal states towards the end of the month, which often has just as disruptive an effect on the cattle and meat markets as the lack of slaughter days due to the holidays. In addition, the EU's eastward expansion and Russia's threat to close the borders for EU meat from May 1st are causing uncertainty. Price weaknesses for young bulls

Following the seasonal course, the slaughter of young bulls increases from April to May; and as supply grows, prices are likely to fall. Should Russia actually implement the announced import ban, this would cause additional price pressure. However, the public holidays in May could provide an impetus for demand, because then, depending on the season, noble and finest cuts from the back lots are the focus of interest. However, the marketing of the less precious parts from the forequarter is likely to cause problems. Nevertheless, the young bull prices could reach the previous year's level for the first time this year. At that time, animals for slaughter in meat trading class R3 cost a monthly average of 2,46 euros per kilogram of slaughter weight.

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imports increased

In 2003, the drop in production in the poultry sector due to the plague had, as was to be expected, a strong impact on foreign trade in the Netherlands. From January to September last year, poultry meat exports fell by 15,2 percent to around 484.600 tons; it was mainly chickens / hens. At the same time, imports of poultry meat rose by 31 percent to around 192.100 tons.

Given the increased imports, Dutch suppliers were largely able to meet their delivery commitments, particularly within the EU. It was only in the chicken sector that exports to Germany did not quite match the previous year's volume; Deliveries to the local market in the first nine months of 2003, at 137.230 tons, were two percent below the previous year's volume. In the EU as a whole, the Dutch sold almost 353.200 tonnes of chicken meat, a good ten percent more than before.

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60 percent decrease within ten years

School milk is becoming less and less important as a nutritional component for children and young people: according to current figures from the Federal Ministry of Consumer Affairs, consumption of school milk fell by almost seven percent in 2003 compared to the previous year to around 50.500 tons. Almost 20.000 tons of this is accounted for by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Since 1994, school milk consumption has fallen nationwide by over 60 percent. The share of sold school milk in the drinking milk produced in Germany is less than one percent. According to the evaluation and information service for nutrition, agriculture and forestry (aid), Bonn, the decline is partly due to the reductions in aid in 1994 and 2001, but also partly to the organization in the schools.

Until 1977, the so-called school milk subsidy scheme was a purely national program to promote the sale of milk and milk products to schoolchildren. Since then, the European Union has increasingly taken over the financing; today the aid comes 100 percent from EU funds. Each 0,25 liter portion of milk is subsidized with 5,8 cents. Milk, mixed milk drinks and yoghurt are funded, one portion per child per day.

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The grill and asparagus seasons bring impetus

The barbecue season, which begins when the weather is nice, is likely to ensure lively demand on the German meat markets in May, especially for pork. Due to many private family celebrations and the asparagus season, prime cuts of beef and veal are also often the focus of interest. On the other hand, the Pentecost holidays and public holidays have a disruptive effect on the cattle and meat markets. Weak prices for young bulls, calves and lambs cannot be ruled out, stable prices are expected for cows and pigs. The supply of eggs remains plentiful, prices mostly stabilize at a low level below the previous year's line. The demand for poultry can be well met, and interest is increasingly directed towards items that can be grilled. There is little room for upward pricing. Milk delivery reaches its seasonal peak. Butter and fresh milk products could receive boosts in demand. Imported early goods dominate the potato market. The German strawberry season begins, but imported goods remain dominant. The harvest of asparagus, rhubarb and radishes should be in full swing nationwide. Different price development for slaughter cattle

Following the seasonal course, the slaughter of young bulls increases from April to May; and with the growing supply, prices are likely to decline. Should Russia implement the announced import ban, this would result in additional price pressure. The holidays in May could, however, provide impetus for demand, because according to the season, the noblest and finest cuts from the back sections are the focus of interest. The marketing of the less noble cuts from the forequarter should, however, cause problems.

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British exports are increasing

In Great Britain, sheep slaughter will amount to an estimated 2004 million animals in 13,6, which would be a good four percent more than in 2003. Meat production is likely to increase by three percent in 2004 compared to the previous year to 308.000 tons. The sharp reduction in the number of ewes at the beginning of 2003 is not expected to continue. In 2004, too, the number of ewes eliminated is likely to be roughly the same as last year at 1,9 million heads.

According to preliminary results, British lamb imports rose by almost nine percent in 2003; As usual, the main supplier was New Zealand. In addition, EU partner states and Australia also supplied more lamb to Great Britain. In the current year, however, the import volume could decrease again; an increasing in-house production is assumed. In addition, imports are reduced by the rather weak exchange rate of the British pound.

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Consumers are now paying less than last year

The purchase of eggs has become increasingly cheaper for German consumers in recent weeks, and the Easter date has not changed that. Unlike in previous years, suppliers were unable to gain any price advantages from the holiday business when there was ample supply and weak demand; On the contrary: Even before Easter, egg prices continued to fall. After the holidays, the declining interest in buying was no longer sufficient for the large supply, because production was also pushing for sales, which had accumulated over the holidays. This led to further price declines, also at the store level.

Consumers now pay a national average of just EUR 1,01 for a pack of ten eggs in weight class M (mainly cage products), which is 30 cents less than at the beginning of this year and three cents less than at the same time last year. The prices for conventional free-range eggs of the same size developed somewhat more stably. In the week after Easter, retailers demanded an average of EUR 1,83 per ten pieces for this, which was ten cents less than at the beginning of January this year, but ten cents more than a year ago.

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Rising revenues in the Czech Republic and Poland

In the Czech Republic, pig prices at producer level continued to rise at the beginning of April to the equivalent of around EUR 1,00 per kilogram live weight. Across the country, producers are mostly still paid by live weight. Converted into slaughter weight, the price of around 1,23 euros per kilogram should have joined the lowest EU pig prices for slaughter. Denmark, for example, reported 28 euros per kilogram slaughter weight (cold) to Brussels in the week up to March 2004, 1,20 in accordance with the EU regulation.

There is a similar trend in Poland: in the week up to March 28, the equivalent of 1,18 euros per kilogram slaughter weight (cold) was reported there for the trade classes S and E.

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Plentiful supply

The positive development on the German pig market for slaughter from the producer's point of view initially continued in March: With a slightly below-average supply of slaughter animals, prices tended to remain stable at a high level, although the demand for pork often left a lot to be desired. In the middle of the reporting month, the EU Commission ended the export refunds for pork.

In the last full week of March, the supply of live animals increased, but could still be accommodated at the slaughterhouses without any problems. In the transitional week of March/April, the market was sufficiently supplied with domestic animals for slaughter, but the range was supplemented by extensive deliveries from Denmark. The prices paid by the slaughterhouses fell sharply. The price pressure was triggered by the unsatisfactory margins of the slaughterhouses and cutting plants in the meat shops.

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Good news for animal lovers and consumer advocates: The European Commission has now introduced the "Traces" computer system, which makes it easier to track animal transports. Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne promises that the data collected can also be used to react adequately in emergencies such as an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

The word "traces" - derived from "Trade Control and Expert System" - stands for "tracks" in English. The tracks of animals that are imported into the EU and also those that are transported within the EU are to be closely followed with the extensive database. Around 50000 animals are transported in the EU every day – “Traces” significantly reduces the administrative work involved for businesses and the authorities.

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EU skeptics will also run out of arguments when it comes to food safety, because the ten member states are well on the way to meeting EU standards, says Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne. "Great progress has been made through the close cooperation between the Commission and the responsible authorities." Many laws, control systems and companies have already been aligned.

Although some food companies such as dairy and slaughterhouses still needed some time to bring their production up to date, they only sold their goods on the domestic market in the meantime. The 15 EU member states have now agreed on a final list of companies that will be granted a transitional period. The Commission also announced 37 new border inspection posts that will start working on 1 May at the new external borders to check veterinary products imported from third countries.

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