After a highly pathogenic influenza virus of the subtype H5N2 was diagnosed in a broiler flock in the US state of Texas, the EU issued an immediate import ban on live poultry, poultry meat and eggs. The import ban initially applies until March 23. After all, 25% of all imported eggs and 50% of newly hatched chicks imported into the EU come from the USA. Here is the original notification from the EU: Commission suspends EU poultry imports from the USA after avian influenza outbreak in Texas

Following the confirmation of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) outbreak in Texas (USA), the European Commission adopted the proposal from EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne to suspend the import of live poultry, eggs and pet birds from this country into the European Union (EU) with immediate effect until 23 March. Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can cause severe economic damage to the poultry industry and can, in exceptional cases, be transmitted to humans.

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US virus not identical to Asian pathogen

The bird flu strain found on a Texas chicken farm is apparently not as harmless as initially thought, reports the Environmental News Service http://www.enn.com. The pathogens are not identical to the H5N1 strain of the virus, which has claimed 22 lives in Southeast Asia and led to the mass slaughter of chickens.

Ron DeHaven of the US Department of Agriculture has said the virus is not the same strain found in Asia, but admits the virus found in Texas is highly contagious and has already led to other cases in Houston chicken markets. "The virus was discovered on a chicken farm in Gonzales County, about 80 miles east of San Antonio, and is not dangerous to humans," said Nancy Cox of the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the experts have already revised their opinion about the pathogen in Texas, because when the virus appeared in Texas last Friday, it was classified as "slightly pathogenic" and "not dangerous for humans".

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Dutch restrict production in the medium term

In its report on the prospects for the pig sector, the Dutch agronomic research institute LEI forecasts a decline in pork production in the Netherlands up to at least 2010. The LEI expects the pig population to decline by eleven percent by 2007, and this trend is expected to continue until 2010.

According to the livestock census of May 2002, there were 5,59 million animals for slaughter in the Netherlands; this number is expected to drop to around 2007 million animals by 4,95.

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New brochure for the classic Butterbrot

Butter and bread - an unbeatable team that together results in an enjoyable combination: the buttered bread. A classic that is still very popular and has already achieved cult status. This was also evident in the campaign of the CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH for the "Day of German Butterbrot" in September last year. Under the motto "We'll add something to it", the CMA provided passers-by and travelers at train stations in 13 cities with freshly buttered sandwiches. Butterbrot fans were also invited to send in their favorite sandwich recipe.

The CMA has now published a delicious selection of fine butter bread recipes in its latest brochure “Butterbrot. German trend snack with cult status". How about, for example, rye bread with turkey breast, a crumble sandwich or carrot butter bread? In addition to the 20 creative and unusual recipes, the brochure also contains information about bread and butter: For example, readers learn that butter has been made for around 8000 years and the bread's success story began as early as the late Middle Ages.

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CMA Supports Nordic Food Delights Gourmet Festival

Regional foods are very popular. A study by the CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH last year showed that over 70 percent of those surveyed prefer food from their own region. And when it comes to gastronomy, guests are increasingly asking for something local on their plates. The “Nordic Pleasures of the Table” campaign picks up on these trends and desires; a joint initiative by the state of Schleswig-Holstein, local restaurants and the CMA. As part of this campaign, selected upmarket restaurants serve the best of Schleswig-Holstein to locals and holidaymakers from March to August. 17 restaurateurs take part in this festival of delights, which complements a supporting program with music performances, tastings and lectures. The opening gala will take place on March 5th in the “Historischer Krug” restaurant in Oevensee near Flensburg. A total of around 25 events attract visitors.

The CMA supports the “Nordic Pleasures in Tables” campaign because it is convinced that it is a successful way of presenting German agricultural products in an attractive, enjoyable and contemporary way. And although the CMA stands nationwide for the many products of German agriculture, regionality is very important to them. From the region for the region is the motto under which it combines an extensive range: For example, it supports farmers and producer groups in developing and implementing regional marketing concepts for their products. Regionality is also very popular with the CMA Specialties Award: every two years, the CMA honors particularly smart and innovative products. At the food industry trade fair ANUGA in Cologne in autumn 2003, a Schleswig-Holstein company was also honored with the prize: Glinder Ziegenhof won the coveted award in the "Eco" category for its matured goat's cheese. The next award will take place in autumn 2005. The CMA also implements the topic of regionality in gastronomy. For example, she organizes specialty weeks for company catering. Whether "country outing" or "experience German cuisine in a new way" - the guests in canteens and canteens get an appetite for local specialties in this epicurean way.

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CMA/DFV seminar imparts specialist knowledge for cheese sales in Hanover

Every German citizen eats over 20 kilograms of cheese per year. Many consumers attach great importance to advice, quality and freshness when buying cheese. This is a market opportunity for the butcher's trade that needs to be exploited. In order to actually win new customers and generate more sales, knowledgeable sales staff, an appealing presentation of goods and professional handling of the cheese product are required. The CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH and the DFV Deutsche Fleischer-Verband impart the necessary know-how in the one-day seminar "More success with cheese in the butcher's shop - basic training". The offer is aimed at specialist salespeople and employees in the butcher's shop with little knowledge of the cheese product group.

The trainer Verena Veith has been an experienced retail consultant for many years and knows the situation in the butcher shops: “There is almost always little space available in the counter for cheese. It is all the more important to know how to optimally offer cheese under these circumstances, how to store it properly and how to use the right cutting techniques to produce as little loss as possible.” That is why the seminar starts with a little cheese knowledge, in which Verena Veith explains cheese production, cheese groups and types , fat content levels, the principles of product presentation and the importance of cheese in butchers' shops. The participants receive important information on cheese care and storage, which can then also be passed on as a recommendation in customer discussions.

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Representative consumer survey on trust in meat products presented

The "Meat Stars 18" were presented at a festive event on February 350th in front of around 2004 top managers from the national and international meat industry on the Petersberg near Bonn.

The competition, advertised by LEBENSMITTEL PRAXIS, the specialist magazine from the Handelsblatt publishing group, awards meat departments for above-average performance in terms of quality, freshness, friendliness and their successful business results. Clear pricing and product identification, the implementation of quality initiatives in cooperation with the suppliers and training measures for the staff were particularly important. A special prize is awarded for exceptional construction work on the Elbe after the flood of the century in the summer of 2002.

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Jumped as a tiger again...

Results of the investigations carried out in connection with the investigations into relabelling of the food companies located in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district have been completed. No health hazard identified. The public prosecutor is considering how to proceed.

The Brandenburg State Laboratory, which was newly set up at the beginning of this year, passed its first test of ensuring a high level of consumer protection in Brandenburg together with the responsible authorities.

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The PHW Group (Rechterfeld) is growing: In the past fiscal year 2002/2003 (June 30.06th) the company increased its consolidated total sales adjusted for internal sales to 1,14 billion euros (previous year: 1,08 billion euros). This corresponds to an increase of 5,5 percent or EUR 59 million. 

The growth results primarily from the positive development of "Wiesenhof", the leading German poultry brand. With 695 million euros in the past financial year (previous year: 605 million euros), sales increased by 14,9 percent. The human nutrition and health division achieved a sales volume of EUR 59,7 million in the previous year (2001/2002 financial year: EUR 60,7 million). The animal nutrition and health sector recorded a drop in sales of 7 percent to EUR 304,7 million. The other sales of the PHW Group are attributable to the "Propagation and Rearing" area upstream of the "Wiesenhof" brand (sales increase of 2,3 percent to EUR 45 million) and the Polish poultry processor Drobimex GmbH, which belongs to the PHW Group with around 94 percent in Szczecin (37,3 million euros). The number of employees remained stable in 2002/2003, so that today 3.855 employees work in the PHW Group (previous year: 3.866). In addition to Paul-Heinz Wesjohann, the PHW Group's management team includes son Peter Wesjohann and Harm Specht.

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Imports rose six percent last year

Japan imported almost six percent more pork in the first half of fiscal 2003/04 than in the same period last year. Just under 129.000 tons of the 440.000 tons imported to date came from Denmark. This enabled Danish exporters to once again significantly expand their market position in Japan. Denmark currently provides more than a tenth of the EU's gross domestic production of pork, so the volume of its export business also has an impact on the EU market. Most of the pork that Japan imported from April to September 2003 was supplied by the USA with around 146.000 tons. Japanese production grew by three percent

At the same time, Japanese farmers increased their pork production by 2,5 percent to around 421.000 tons. The pork stocks in Japan increased in the first half of the financial year 2003/04 to almost 180.000 tons; that is around 20 percent more than at the end of September 2002.

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