NEWS PAGE
| Search |
| DIARY DATES |
 |
| NPA |
| NPA Home Page |
| NPA TRADE DIRECTORY |
| Stand By Your Ham |
| PIG WORLD |
| Change your address |
| Trainee of the Year Award |
| Campaigns picture gallery |
| Job vacancies |
| DISCUSSION GROUPS |
| LADIES IN PIGS |
| TRAINING |
|
| OTHER LINKS |
Pig World May08 19mb |
| Priority Water Catchment Area grants |
| IPPC Best Available Techniques |
| AMC: Search for land and farms |
June 6
Traffic Lights
June 4
Pork — the choice of sports fans
Pork and pork products are the food of choice for discerning sports fans, says BPEX economist Tony Fowler. The charts above show how pigmeat prices increased in host countries during the Winter Olympics in Italy 2006, the Summer Olympics in Greece in 2004, Euro 2004 in Portugal and the World Cup in Germany in 2006. So expect to see strong increases in producer prices in Austria/Switzerland for the Euro 2008 football competition this month.
Commission consultation on Impact Assessments
The European Commission is inviting comment on draft revisions to the Impact Assessment Guidelines which are used by its staff when preparing policy proposals. Impact assessments are now a key part of the policy making culture of the Commission, and the guidelines explain the procedures and the key analytical steps to prepare them, carry them out and then present them. All impact assessments must include public consultations as part of the preparation process.
Contributions should be submitted to the Commission by 25 July. More information on the consultation, the questionnaire, and the guidelines themselves, are available here.
Wild boar
NPA's Zoe Davies has given a television interview on the subject of the threat posed by feral wild boar.
Pfizer Trainee of the Year Award
In association with Pig World
By Digby Scott
Particularly bearing in mind the problems and uncertainties in the pig industry over the past 11 months, the organisers of the pig industry's prestigious training award (with prizes worth over £2.500 for the winner) have been delighted with the response so far.
This is a reminder to all employers and employees that the deadline — the end of this month — will be with us sooner than you know. So please download the entry form HERE and let us have your entry as soon as possible.
Neither age, nor experience to date, are barriers to winning. The judges who, are skilled at helping candidates give the best possible account of themselves, will be looking for the industry's best ambassador for training — someone who has made best use of the training he or she has received so far, and who is keen to pursue further career improvement.
And here's the good news — apart from a few notes on the application form no writing is involved. Yippee!
Biofuel co-products for pigs
Distillers Dried Grains and Solubles (DDGS) will be available late spring 2009 from the Ensus plant on Teeside. This plant, which is currently being built, will ferment up to 1m tonnes of wheat producing some 350,000 tonnes of DDGS. Whilst this material could be co-fired, or exported, both economics and politics strongly suggest that feeding is the most appropriate outlet.
The initial reaction by many is that this material would largely be destined for dairy and beef feeds and indeed this is a market for the material. However the cattle market is seasonal, largely based on the west of the country, and for feeder wagons pelleted material is preferred. There is a ready market for wheat DDGS on the doorstep for pig feeding.
See report by Mick Hazzledine and Phil Boyd.
Exports to third country markets
Following the declaration by the World Organisation for Animal Health in February of Britain’s freedom from foot and mouth diseases, Japan lifted restrictions last month (but the pork certificate still requires final agreement), as did Korea.
The following countries have also reinstated their pre-foot and mouth export certification arrangements: Algeria, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, Saudia (except Surrey), Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, USA (except Surrey) and Vietnam. Some restrictions may apply that did not exist before August 2007.
NFU victory for farmers and utility companies
Farmers will no longer be penalised under cross compliance for valid utilities work on their land, after three years lobbying by the NFU resulted in a victory with the Rural Payments Agency. Under the new rules farmers will now be allowed to seek an exemption to the Management rule without the need for using statutory powers.
June 3
'Processed animal protein' in diets will be
good news for pig farmers, say processors
The European Food Standards Agency is to put the subject of processed animal protein on its current regulatory agenda. This signals reintroduction of processed animal protein in some livestock diets.
It is good news for farmers because the science supports a reintroduction of processed animal protein with appropriate safeguards, says Mark Adams, president of British Meat Processors Association.
“At a time when we are taking our environmental responsibilities seriously it is a great shame that we are currently having to dispose of what is a valuable protein source. It is important that all authorities who are required to base decisions on the best available science pay due attention to that science.”
It is vital, he says, that the entire food chain, including retailers and consumers, has a good understanding of the subject and that communication is based on true risk and not the perception of those risks.
The current debate is only related to animal feed for pigs and poultry and does not include any aspect of what some commentators have described as cannibalism eg. protein from one species being fed back to the same species.
There is also no discussion at the moment about any relaxation in the ban on mammalian protein for ruminants.
Healthcheck update
Speech by agriculture commissioner today.
Danes close more slaughterhouses
Danish Crown is planning to close two factories and to reduce capacity at a third. It is blaming the European pig industry crisis and a failure to get environmental approvals from Danish local authorities. During the last weeks Danish Crown has been operating at only 80 percent of capacity and this is not sustainable.
“The pig count from end of April proved that we had to react if we want to act as a financially responsible company. We had foreseen a decline in the slaughterings but new figures show a much faster and more drastic decline than expected,” said Danish Crown this week. Danish Crown still believes pig production will rise again by the end of 2009.
More visitors at this year's Pig Fair
This year’s British Pig and Poultry Fair attracted more visitors – nearly 9,000 – than the 2006 event.
“Focusing on the whole food supply chain for the first time was obviously the right way to go and will, I hope, help provide both the pig and poultry sectors with the information needed to adapt successfully to meet future demands,” said event manager Alice Bell.
Mick Sloyan, BPEX chief executive, said, "Despite the difficulties facing the industry, it was one of the best Pig Fairs for a number of years from BPEX’s point of view. The stand was very busy both days and there were high levels of confidence being expressed."
There were more than 240 exhibitors. Farming minister Jeff Rooker said he was “uplifted” by the number of young producers he met who had faith in the future.
Northern Ireland pigmen get DAPP
The following article is from Farming Life in Northern Ireland:
For the first time in living memory pig farmers in Northern Ireland can avail of the full DAPP (Deadweight Average Pig Price) that is on offer to their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.
This was the main thrust of the claim made to Farming Life earlier this week by representatives from the recently established Foyle Food Group Pig Division. Already processing 1,800 pigs per week at Lisahally, for delivery into the British market, the new business has additional slots available more pigs. But these are limited.
"Foyle initially started slaughtering pigs on a contract basis for the Lanax group last August," confirmed spokesman Paul Gilmore.
"This has since developed into a full contract arrangement between the producers and the Cranswick Group in Great Britain, through which the full DAPP price is a guaranteed to farmers on the basis of a rolling supply agreement. Local pig producers have been calling for the DAPP price to be made available in Northern Ireland. We have succeeded in making this reality."
Paul Gilmore is aware that other pig processers have lifted their producer prices over recent weeks. "This is a direct result of our entry into the market. And we are here to stay. Our commitment to deliver the DAPP standard on an ongoing basis is a genuine one. We can kill an additional 2,000 pigs per week at Lisahally and are keen to speak to more producers about setting up new supply contracts."
"There is now genuine competition for pigs in Northern Ireland. Our entry into the market represents a win:win situation for producers. We have stepped up to the plate in response to farmer requests for a better pig price.
"And we are committed to talking to pig farmers in Northern Ireland on that basis."
A fortnight ago Farming Life highlighted the calls of leading pig producer Trevor Shields for processers to pay local farmers the full British price for their pigs. Commenting on this week's news from Foyle he confirmed that greater competition for locally produced pigs is a good thing."Producers should consider all options available to them when it comes to getting the best possible price for their pigs," he added.
"Farmer prices are on the rise. And that's a good thing, given the significant losses incurred by pig producers over many months. There's little doubt that the general pig market is reacting to the shortfall in supply that now exists."
Wheat firms
Feed wheat futures rallied today. JUL-08 152.50 +4.00, NOV-08 138.00 +3.00, JAN-09 140.75 +3.00, MAR-09 143.00 +3.00, MAY-09 145.25 +2.75, JUL-09 147.50 +2.50, NOV-09 146.50 +3.50, JAN-10 149.50 +3.00, MAR-10 152.50 +3.00, MAY-10 154.50 +2.00.
Soil Asociation demands action over MRSA
The Soil Association is calling on government to publish interim results of its testing for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in pigs, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and to introduce a comprehensive testing programme for MRSA in other farm-animal species.
"We suspect MRSA has now been found in British pigs. Defra must publish the results of testing as these become available. There can now be no excuse for not also initiating a comprehensive testing programme in the United Kingdom to establish the full extent of MRSA in British farm animals," said Soil Association policy adviser Richard Young.
The Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory has identified three patients in Scotland suffering from a new type of MRSA infection, not previously identified in the United Kingdom.
The MRSA is a strain known as ST398 or NT-MRSA, which has been spreading rapidly across continental Europe and some other countries, affecting both farm animals and humans.
In the Netherlands and some other countries, a high proportion of pigs and other farm animals are already carriers of MRSA ST398, and there have been many cases of humans becoming colonised due to contact with animals, and then developing serious MRSA infections.
How short-sighted politicians caused the global food crisis
Above: The Wise and Foolish Virgins.
Grain prices will stay high – even without biofuels – but not as high as they were in the second half of last year.
Compared to 2003-2005 levels, European Union cereals prices will rise in the next ten years by an average 1.4pc for wheat, 3pc for maize, and 3.2pc for oilseeds, because demand will outstrip supply, according to a report by Humboldt University in Berlin.
The price spike seen in recent months is exceptional, nevertheless the farming treadmill of ever lower farm prices has come to an end, according to Professor Harald von Witzke, one of the report’s authors.
The upward trend in prices will continue for at least three decades, although there will be fluctuations.
One of the reasons demand for food will outstrip supply is a lack of preparedness by the European Union and other developed countries. In the 1990s, when food was plentiful and agriculture was no longer seen as important, they cut research and development.
As a result food production on farms is suffering today. Annual productivity growth was close to 4pc during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, but dropped to 2pc in the 1990s, and is likely to be little more than 1pc from now until 2030, the report predicts.
There is very little scope for increasing the area in the world available for food production – other than through deforestation – and any new area will tend to be less productive than existing areas anyway.
Moreover, there are additional challenges, especially within the European Union, of water scarcity, sustainability and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions.
Global agricultural market trends and their impacts on European Union agriculture.
Asda's loss leader tastes horrid, says chef
The British pig industry discovered today what it could expect if Vion buys Grampian. Asda is selling 2p sausages made by a Vion company in Sheffield.
“My ten-year-old son eats rubbish but even he would baulk at this,” said chef Rowley Leigh in the Daily Mail, after trying one.
The Asda Smart Price sausages are made from foreign pork from pigs kept in conditions that would be illegal in this country.
Radio stations up and down the country have been contacting local pig producers, who are explaining that using pork in any form as a loss-leader is likely to be damaging to British pig producers, who are fighting for survival. Read the Daily Mail story here.
Biofuels cause food inflation
European biofuel production has had little effect on food prices because biofuels use less than 1pc of European Union cereal production, according to a recent Brussels report.
But this view is contradicted by a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The report says that, on the contrary, biofuel demand has been a major factor in the global price spike. Just over half of the increase in world demand for grain and vegetable oil between 2005 and 2007 was due to biofuels, and it is therefore a strong factor underpinning the upward shift in commodity prices.
New product could cut cost of biofuel production
Rising prices of feed-stocks are having a severe impact on the margins of biodiesel producers and many are examining their expenditure closely and looking at ways of eliminating costs. A new arrival to the biodiesel industry, Eco2pure, will revolutionise the cost of biodiesel production, bringing the cost of purification down to as little as 0.004 pence a litre of biodiesel, according to its manufacturers. Eco2pure is a cellulose based product formulated for biodiesel purification from all types of feedstock.
Record food inflation
In March and April, annual increases in food prices in the European Union reached their highest levels since the mid-90s, when the current method of recording began.
In April, the annual increase in food prices was 7.1pc, compared with 3.6pc for overall inflation, as measured by the all-items Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.
Since the end of 2006, but particularly since July 2007, food prices in the European Union have increased more rapidly than overall inflation. In euro countries, annual increase in food prices was 6.2pc, compared with 3.3pc for overall inflation.
In April, the highest yearly increases in food prices were found in Bulgaria (25.4pc), Latvia (21.7pc), Estonia (18.3pc) and Lithuania (18.1pc).
The lowest increases were in Portugal (3.2pc), Netherlands (5.4pc), France (5.5pc), Cyprus (5.8pc) and Italy (5.9pc). The increase recorded in the United Kingdom was 7.2pc.
The impact of food prices on overall annual inflation depends on both the weight of food in the all-items Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices and annual price changes for food, and therefore differs significantly between member countries.
European Biofuels Expo and Conference 2008
The third European Biofuels Expo and Conference will be held at Newark Showground, on 15-16 October. The event will showcase biodiesel, wood pellets, wood burning technologies, home heating oil, biogas - anaerobic digestion, new technologies.
NPA regional meetings
• 30 June: NPA South Central, Newbury Rugby Club
• 2 July: NPA East Anglia, Park Hotel, Diss.
Most English herds now getting the PCV2 jab
Nearly 70pc of the English herd is now taking part in the English PCV2 voucher scheme. This means BPEX is well on the way to hitting its 75pc target.
To date there have been 376 applications, representing 246,999 sows, reports director of pig industry development Mark Wilson. The value of vouchers redemed so far is £93,000.
Producers who have not yet signed up are urged to do so, to avoid their units becoming infection reservoirs that might undermine the efforts of others.
New law will give bird-watchers and
ramblers
the right to monitor farms
By Digby Scott
Twitchers, ramblers and assorted others who wander footpaths across your land, will soon have the right — enshrined in law — to make a formal complaint to the Environment Agency if they consider your farming activities are damaging the environment, and to demand action is taken to remedy the damage.
The "right to request action" will be introduced in Europe’s Environmental Liability Directive. The law will insist that the enforcing authority — usually the Environment Agency — consider the request and and explain what action it intends to take.
The right to request action applies to anyone with sufficient interest.
In its consultation on the new law — which imposes an obligation on farmers to remedy any environmental damage they cause — Defra fails to give a clear definition of "sufficient interest". But it highlights resident associations, neighbourhood groups, anglers, ramblers and birdwatchers as people who may well have a right to request action.
The new liability law will, when it is introduced, duplicate many existing environmental safeguards.
Speaking at a Pig World-sponsored reception recently, food and farming minister Lord Rooker said it isn’t only pig producers who are coming under increasing pressure from the Brussels law-making machine.
“Nobody believes us when we say it, but Defra’s objective is to get rid of regulation. But we have to run faster to remain still because of more regulation coming down from Brussels.”
Defra’s consultation on the Environmental Liability Directive closed May 27.
United States urges action on soya crisis
By Digby Scott
Brussels is being urged by powerful United States farming and food interests to allow some GM contamination of loads of non-GM feedstuffs or, to use the Americans’ more formal language, to allow “a workable tolerance for the adventitious presence of European Union-unapproved biotech traits.”
It is a critical issue for European pig producers because if some GM content is not allowed soon, soya will become unaffordable. Brussels has pledged to find a technical solution to allow a low-level presence of European Union non-approved GMOs in feed and foodstuffs as soon as possible, and at the latest before the summer.
The AgBiotech Planning Committee in the United States, a coalition representing farmers, food processors, manufacturers and biotechnology providers, has written to European Commission president José Manuel Barroso urging him to make good the promise.
“We recognize that even with substantive reductions in the time required for regulatory review of biotechnology products in Europe, there will be instances in which biotech products are commercialised in exporting countries before the European regulatory process has reached its final conclusion,” says the committee.
(Translation: Even if Europe speeds up its GM approvals process it will not always be able to approve, in time, new GM varieties being grown in countries such as the States and Brazil.)
To avoid worsening trade disruption, the committee calls on Brussels to ensure tolerance levels are:
• Commercially viable.
• Reflect tolerances applied by other major importing nations.
• Are not be based on limits of detection.
• Include a workable origin certification system.
Racing times
How does she do it? Mery Ward's pig racing on Open Farm Sunday has made The Times.
First place went to "Rocket", aptly named after the event trainer, one of Meryl's pig staff, "Rocket" Roberts.
June 1
European Council to discuss food prices
On May 20, the European Commission adopted a Communication setting out policy responses to mitigate rising global food prices. The document will be discussed at the European Council this month (on June 19-20).
The communication analyses structural and cyclical factors and proposes a three-pronged policy response, including:
1. Common Agricultural Policy measures through the Healthcheck.
2. Monitoring retailers.
3. A biofuels policy that doesn't have damaging side effects.
Pork exports up, and imports down...
but ham imports soar over 50pc
The high sow cull in the United Kingdom contributed to a 47pc rise in chilled carcase exports to Germany in the first quarter of this year. Generally United Kingdom pork exports in the first quarter were up 22pc, to 31,000 tonnes.
At the same time, the strength of the euro against sterling has contributed to a contraction in imports of pork from other European Union countries - down 9,000 tonnes compared with the same period a year ago to 109,500 tonnes. Imports from Denmark are down 3pc, year on year.
However, imports of processed hams remain a problem - up 51pc compared with last year, largely driven by imports from Poland.
Barbies stiffen prices
The barbecue season has started on the continent, helping fuel a rising all-Europe average pig price. The average European Union reference price has risen seven percent to 124p over the past three weeks. Last year at this time continental prices were more stable. The rises, which have been evident since February, have been most apparent in Germany, Holland and Poland. The German reference price is now 20pc higher than a year ago. The Polish price is 45pc higher (but this is partly due to the strength of the euro). The strong euro also means that the United Kingdom reference price, whilst being 14pc higher than a year ago in sterling terms, is 3pc lower when expressed in euros.
United States pig prices will rise sharply next year
Retail prices for pork remain low in the United States, as its pig industry is a little further back in the supply-demand cycle than Europe. But pig farmers are losing as much as £16.50 a pig at present and an increasing number will thin or liquidate their herds, according to Chris Hurt, agricultural economist for Purdue University. "What's going on today really affects the price a year from now. Pork prices that we pay at the store are going to go up sharply." Sow slaughter is currently up seven percent compared to this time last year.
Top ten producers
| Top ten pork producers last year | Pig slaughtered (m) | ||
| 1 | Smithfield Foods USA/Poland | 30 |
|
| 2 | Danish Crown Denmark/UK/Poland | 22 | |
| 3 | Vion Food Netherlands/Germany | 19 | |
| 4 | Tyson Foods USA | 17 | |
| 5 | Cargill USA/Brazil | 10.4 | |
| 6 | Friboi USA | 10 | |
| 7 | Tönnies Germany | 10 | |
| 8 | Olymel Canada | 8 | |
| 9 | Maple Leaf Canada | 7 | |
| 10 | Hormel Foods Corp USA | 6 | |
What happens when there's cash on the table?
When the pig price in Britain and on the continent reaches levels that earn significant profits for producers, there will be "cash on the table", as economists describe it, for those who are in a position to enter pig production quickly and who are not burdened by debt from the current cost-price crisis in the industry.
So those producers who are currently deciding whether to cut their losses, or hang on until the really good prices arrive, must take a view on whether higher prices, when they come, will continue long enough for them to recoup their losses, or whether cash on the table will make the better prices short-lived.
In other words, how many farmers will spot cash on the table? (All of them). And who will be in a position to take a slice of it? (Perhaps not that many).
Outdoor production could expand quickly in Britain but only if enough land-owners are prepared to rent land for pigs instead of growing more cereals, and if sufficient farmers can be found to finish the pigs.
Producers who have quit pigs but still have the buildings could go back into production but if they are still burdened with debt from when their unit was previously in production, they are unlikely to be enticed by cash on the table unless they see some longer-term guarantees.
To this mix of probables, possibles and unlikelys we can add another class of producer, as identified by NPA and BPEX chairman Stewart Houston this morning: the producer who continues in pigs until the better prices arrive, and then devotes the next few years to make an orderly withdrawal from the industry unless he sees some form of guarantee of sustainable prices going forward.
Producers will have their own definition of when there is cash on the table, and when it will occur, but if we assume that there is cash on the table when the pig price hits 160p and that this will happen next spring, it will be a year before opportunists are able to start taking the cash, and thus start bringing prices down.
But if we consider the limitations outlined above, it is clear there may not be as many opportunists who are able to take advantage of cash on the table as there would have been say a decade ago.
Add to this mix the strength of the euro versus sterling, which makes imports more expensive, and the increasing value of slurry as a by-product of pig production, and it is possible to see high prices that form a gentle, profitable curve, rather than a short-lived spike. But what do you think? — D.S.
Processors point the finger at retailers
The chart below shows retailer v producer price movements, against an index of 100 set on July 2 last year. When the two lines merge producers' share of the price will have been restored to pre-crisis levels. Until then, industry continues to pose the question: Who is profiteering at pig producers' expense?
The BPEX-NPA Pigs Arte Worth It campaign group is clear that neither retailers nor processors are passing on sufficient of the increases they have received from consumers.
For their part, processors insist it is the retailers who are profiteering. But until a processor is prepared to go public on the situation (most unlikely), the campaigns group will press for a supply chain audit undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading.
Meanwhile the group it calls on retailers to recognise that significant increases in the retail price of pork and pork products means they are now in a position to reduce their percentage margin, without reducing profit.
Danes fret over lack of bacon promotion
A lesson to British producers about how retailer promotions must be carefully targeted or they will suck in imports: Denmark expects the United Kingdom bacon market to suffer in the weeks ahead — because supermarkets are not running any campaigns on bacon, due to price increases.
Danish Crown loses more pigs to German abattoirs
Danish Crown is losing the equivalent of a fair-sized abattoir's worth of pigs as producers take advantage of higher prices being offered by German abattoirs. The Danish co-operative killed less than 300,000 pigs last week — 30,000 less than it had budgeted for. It is increasing the price it offers producers but still lags behind the German abattoirs. Danish Crown is said to be pondering when the European pig industry recession will end and is expected to make an announcement on the subject soon.
Effect of Russian ban will be drastic
Russia has banned pigmeat imports from a number of European abattoirs on health grounds, including two in Denmark. If the ban is not lifted quickly the affect on Danish exports to Russia will be "drastic".
No shortage in Spain yet
Contraction of the Spanish pig herd has yet to show through in production. Pork production was up 11pc at the beginning of this year, as the number of slaughtered pigs increased 8pc.
Russian consumers face pork shortages
If Russia persists in its ban on frozen pigmeat from many European Union abattoirs, on health grounds, its consumers will see dramatic price hikes and perhaps even shortages of pork and pork products. Nearly all pigmeat imported into Russia is frozen as its bureaucratic customs clearance and its geographical isolation make the imp[ort of chilled meat impracticable.
May 31
Report predicts 20pc rise in pork prices, 2008-2017
Soaring world food prices will fall in the coming years but stay "substantially above" average levels from the past decade, a report said today. The world's poorest nations are most vulnerable - particularly the urban poor in food-importing countries - and will require increased aid to stave off hunger, a joint survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said.
High oil prices, changing diets, urbanisation, expanding populations, flawed trade policies, extreme weather, growth in biofuel production and speculation have sent food prices rocketing, trigging protests from Africa to Asia and raising fears that millions more will suffer malnutrition. "There is a real need to foster growth and development in poor countries and to assist in developing their agricultural supply base," the report said.
The report is based on a forecast of the cereals, oilseeds, sugar, meats, milk and dairy products markets for 2008 to 2017. It reflects agriculture and trade policies in place in early 2008 and includes an assessment of the biofuels markets for bioethanol and biodiesel.
Compared with the previous decade, the report said average prices over 2008-2017 for beef and pork should rise 20pc; sugar around 30pc; wheat, maize and skim milk powder 40-60pc; butter and oilseeds more than 60pc; and vegetable oils over 80pc. Internationally, overall food prices have risen 83% in three years, according to the World Bank.
Loss-making Danish producers urged to fill their pig houses
A recent analysis shows Danish weaner producers' income fell from +£68,500 in 2006 to -£84,600 last year, whilst finishers just managed to break even, their higher feed costs being offset by cheaper weaners. However, some British producers might consider the Danish pig industry remains in denial: according to Lindhart Nielsen, president of Danish Pig Production, the "negative development" will soon end. He is urging producers to fill up their pig houses now to reap the benefits of better prices.
Sow cullings
If they looked only at United Kingdom clean pig slaughter figures this year, retailers and processors might be excused for thinking producers have been crying wolf. At 699,500 in March and 891,700 in April they were up 2.2pc. But the sow and boar slaughter figures show the black hole that is opening up — they’re up 32.4pc.
Changes in clean pig availability will be seen going forward. Around 150,500 clean pigs are estimated to have been slaughtered in the week ending May 24 in Great Britain — 4pc less than in the same week last year.
Discounters grab a bigger share in Germany
Supermarket discounters in Germany increased their market share of fresh meat to 22pc last year, and cooked meat/sausage to 44pc. Pork imports from other European Union countries grew 5.8pc whilst exports of meat and meat products increased 21.8pc on 2006.
Tabletop classical swine fever
Defra will stage a tabletop classical swine fever outbreak on Monday at the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's conference centre in London. The exercise will involve suspicion through to confirmation of an infected premises in England, further spread of the disease in England, Scotland and Wales up to day eight, and later stages of the disease through to exit and regaining country freedom.
Weaner supplies tighten
Weaner prices are firming in Britain as a result of reduced availability. The average 30kg price rose by more than a £1 a head this week to £37.15. Prices were last this high in 2003.
When to vaccinate against PCV2
Hot topic for the night was PCV2 when around 20 pig producers gathered at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire for an evening workshop organised by BPEX knowledge transfer manager Lis Ravn. Many of those present were already using a vaccine or had taken up the offer to use it through the industry’s voucher scheme. Some producers thought weaning was the best time to vaccinate, when the piglets were going to be disturbed anyway. Others considered it less stressful to vaccinate when the piglets were still with the sow. Another topic for debate was using the right disinfectants to eradicate salmonella. Only certain components will treat it effectively. Lis Ravn reported trial results which showed the most effective disinfectants - in particular against salmonella - contained peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonium plus hydrogen peroxide.
Pig farmers on strike
Italian pig farmers are to plan a national protest in Rome in a bid to get government to help them through the current cost-price crisis. This weekend some producers are on strike — refusing to ratify Protected Designation of Origin Certificates, which could cause a shortage of prosciutto in the shops. A strike spokesman said falling prices and higher costs had provoked ''the greatest unrest in the history of the sector''.
May 30
140p for cutters today
"Don't ring us, we'll ring you." And they did. Buyers were on the lookout for pigs during the middle of the week, but shrewd sellers who held their nerve were able to negotiate further price increases by Friday. There is no doubt that a serious decline in pig availability is now starting to hit the market. Despite the gloomy weather and indifferent retail demand, most spot sellers were able to haggle prices in the 132p–134p range according to specification, with cutters worth 4p–6p above this is in some regions. Traffic Lights commentary.
May 29
Food crisis agenda
Compared to February 2007, world prices in early February 2008 stood at +113pc for United States wheat, +93pc for European Union wheat and +83pc for United States soybeans. World agricultural commodity prices (dollars) rose 70pc between September 2006 and February 2008.
In response, the European Commission wants to make agriculture more market oriented. And it will examine the effectiveness of the food chain and in particular investigate the concentration and market segmentation of retailers.
The Commission intends to seek a sustainable biofuels policy, and it will encourage agricultural research and development in developing countries. It will call for a more coordinated international response to the global food crisis, including a shift in the development agenda to target development aid at longer-term projects to revitalise agriculture.
Shoppers prepared to make special
effort to save pig industry
The majority of people surveyed for the British Pigs Are Worth It Campaign say it is important to support British farming and are prepared to pay more for pork, bacon, sausages or ham to help British pig farmers through the current crisis. Consumers told the survey they are prepared to make a point of looking for British pork, bacon, and ham when shopping, to support pig farmers and higher animal welfare. This and other key messages about welfare standards and consumer support will be rolled out in a media blitz by the Pigs Are Worth It Campaign.
So far, biofuels have had little
effect on global food prices
European biofuel production has had little effect on global food prices because biofuels use less than 1pc of European Union cereal production, according to a Brussels report.
Nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine how the 10pc European Union target for biofuels in transport fuel will influence agricultural markets and land use. A rising share of biofuels from 1pc in 2005 to 10pc in 2020 would imply a 30m tonne increase in feedstock use.
BPEX introduces practical how-to series
The following series of practical briefing notes is now available for download from BPEX.
Emergency meeting at House of Commons
An emergency meeting has been called by the pig industry's Pigs Are Worth It Campaign. It will be held at the House of Commons on Tuesday June 10, when politicians will be warned the British pig industry remains under threat and the industry crisis will continue into next year.
Many pig farmers are still losing over £20 a pig, and need a further 10-20p a kilo to break even, says the Campaign. British pig farmers are forecast to post losses of £200m this year. The country’s breeding herd is expected to decline a further 10pc on top of the 50pc reduction it has experienced over the past decade.
"While our efforts so far have produced results, it is not enough to effectively meet the scale of the challenge, and if we wish to secure the future of the United Kingdom’s pig production and primary processing sector we must take action now.
"We need the help of parliamentarians to continue to raise political and public awareness of the issue and to urge government to act to rectify the current market failure which has the potential to lead to the loss of the United Kingdom pig herd."
May 28
Former Blur guitarist to
promote pig industry's cause
Radio and Press interviews with former Blur bass guitarist turned pig farmer Alex James are being organised by the Pigs Are Worth it Campaign. James famously gave up vegetarianism in 2006 when he bought his farm and began rearing animals for meat. He writes for The Independent and The Observer. He is a supporter of the Pigs Are Worth It Campaign and is fully aware of the issues pig farmers are currently facing.
Better prices on the way
Stronger, more stable live pig prices towards the end of the year are predicted by Manitoba Pork Marketing Co-op. Live pig prices have iimproved over the past few weeks.
l NPA Trade Directory l Mechanical data l National Pig Association l Defra l BBC weather l
l Environment Agency l Food Standards Agency l Quality Meat Scotland l Scottish Executive l
Pig World , PO Box 100, Benniworth, Market Rasen LN8 6LE, United Kingdom