Asia | Malaysia investigates possible spread of bird flu | Possible bird flu ...

Asia

Malaysia investigates possible spread of bird flu

Possible bird flu symptoms among five Malaysian naval personnel indicate that the disease may have spread to another area of the country. Malaysia discovered its first case of bird flu in the northern state of Kelantan last month. The sailors became ill with flu-like symptoms after coming across dead swallows on Layang-Layang island. The five were recovering at a government hospital on Friday while officials prepared to test their blood samples for the bird flu virus.

USA

U.S. beef production drops in August but pork output reached a monthly high.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that commercial red meat production in the United States totaled 3.88 billion pounds in August -- down one percent from the 3.92 billion pounds produced in August 2003.

Beef production, at 2.15 billion pounds, was eight percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.82 million head -- down 10 percent from August 2003. The average live weight was up 27 pounds from the previous year, at 1,252 pounds.

Veal production totaled 13.9 million pounds, two percent below August 2003. Calf slaughter totaled 72,800 head, down nine percent from August 2003. The average live weight was 26 pounds above last year, at 320 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.70 billion pounds -- up nine percent from the previous year, and was a record monthly high. Pig kill totaled 8.72 million head, an eight percent rise over August 2003. The average live weight was two pounds above the previous year, at 262 pounds.

Canada

Canadian Agriculture Ministers make progress on key issues at annual conference.

Canada’s federal agriculture ministers came together this week to set out the future for the country’s agriculture and food industries.

The annual conference of federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of Agriculture, which took place in Brudenell, saw progress on a number of key issues aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the sector.

Ministers discussed advancing the "Made in Canada" strategy to reposition Canada's cattle and ruminant industry. Announced on 10 September, the strategy is aimed at ensuring the long-term viability and profitability of the industry by increasing slaughter capacity in Canada, sustaining the cattle industry until capacity comes online and expanding access to export markets for both livestock and beef products.

Ministers reviewed progress to date in Canada's response to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and, in particular, directed officials to examine short and long-term options for the handling, alternate use, and disposal of animal waste, including specified risk materials, as Canada moves forward with changes to its feed regulations. Ministers discussed the need for regional flexibility in the implementation of the strategy to reposition Canada's cattle and ruminant industry.

Calgary E. coli outbreak has officials puzzled

As the number of E. coli victims mounts in Calgary, Alberta, local officials have called in a field epidemiologist to help track down the source of the contamination.

At least 35 residents have developed symptoms, and several remain hospitalized, but local health authorities have not been able to identify a specific restaurant or even food item that the victims have in common.

"This is an unusual situation," Dr. Judy MacDonald, director of health protection, told the Calgary Herald.

Canada has experienced other outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia over the summer.

European Union

Ireland’s junior agriculture minister attends the World Food Fair in Russia

Ireland’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Noel Treacy visited the World Food Fair Moscow this week to back Irish food exporters. The Irish food companies are at the show together with Bord Bia, BIM and the Irish Dairy Board.

The Minister said that his presence in Moscow underlined the importance of the Russian market for Irish beef, pork, dairy and fish products. Russia is by far the largest export destination for Irish produce outside the European Union and the World Food Fair Moscow is the most significant event to promote awareness of Irish food and to enhance existing and new customer relationships with a view to strengthening Ireland's position in the Russian market.

While consumption of beef is rising following BSE, Czech production is dropping.

Czech beef production is likely to drop again this year, while consumption should rise according to the Czech farm ministry.

The rise in consumption follows a sharp downturn in 2001. Reports from the Czech Republic show that beef production is expected to fall to about 195,000 metric tons this year – a drop of 1.5 percent – while consumption is to rise to 189,000 tons.

Asia

Malaysia investigates possible spread of bird flu

Possible bird flu symptoms among five Malaysian naval personnel indicate that the disease may have spread to another area of the country. Malaysia discovered its first case of bird flu in the northern state of Kelantan last month. The sailors became ill with flu-like symptoms after coming across dead swallows on Layang-Layang island. The five were recovering at a government hospital on Friday while officials prepared to test their blood samples for the bird flu virus.

USA

U.S. beef production drops in August but pork output reached a monthly high.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that commercial red meat production in the United States totaled 3.88 billion pounds in August -- down one percent from the 3.92 billion pounds produced in August 2003.

Beef production, at 2.15 billion pounds, was eight percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.82 million head -- down 10 percent from August 2003. The average live weight was up 27 pounds from the previous year, at 1,252 pounds.

Veal production totaled 13.9 million pounds, two percent below August 2003. Calf slaughter totaled 72,800 head, down nine percent from August 2003. The average live weight was 26 pounds above last year, at 320 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.70 billion pounds -- up nine percent from the previous year, and was a record monthly high. Pig kill totaled 8.72 million head, an eight percent rise over August 2003. The average live weight was two pounds above the previous year, at 262 pounds.

Canada

Canadian Agriculture Ministers make progress on key issues at annual conference.

Canada’s federal agriculture ministers came together this week to set out the future for the country’s agriculture and food industries.

The annual conference of federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of Agriculture, which took place in Brudenell, saw progress on a number of key issues aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the sector.

Ministers discussed advancing the "Made in Canada" strategy to reposition Canada's cattle and ruminant industry. Announced on 10 September, the strategy is aimed at ensuring the long-term viability and profitability of the industry by increasing slaughter capacity in Canada, sustaining the cattle industry until capacity comes online and expanding access to export markets for both livestock and beef products.

Ministers reviewed progress to date in Canada's response to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and, in particular, directed officials to examine short and long-term options for the handling, alternate use, and disposal of animal waste, including specified risk materials, as Canada moves forward with changes to its feed regulations. Ministers discussed the need for regional flexibility in the implementation of the strategy to reposition Canada's cattle and ruminant industry.

Calgary E. coli outbreak has officials puzzled

As the number of E. coli victims mounts in Calgary, Alberta, local officials have called in a field epidemiologist to help track down the source of the contamination.

At least 35 residents have developed symptoms, and several remain hospitalized, but local health authorities have not been able to identify a specific restaurant or even food item that the victims have in common.

"This is an unusual situation," Dr. Judy MacDonald, director of health protection, told the Calgary Herald.

Canada has experienced other outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia over the summer.

European Union

Ireland’s junior agriculture minister attends the World Food Fair in Russia

Ireland’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Noel Treacy visited the World Food Fair Moscow this week to back Irish food exporters. The Irish food companies are at the show together with Bord Bia, BIM and the Irish Dairy Board.

The Minister said that his presence in Moscow underlined the importance of the Russian market for Irish beef, pork, dairy and fish products. Russia is by far the largest export destination for Irish produce outside the European Union and the World Food Fair Moscow is the most significant event to promote awareness of Irish food and to enhance existing and new customer relationships with a view to strengthening Ireland's position in the Russian market.

While consumption of beef is rising following BSE, Czech production is dropping.

Czech beef production is likely to drop again this year, while consumption should rise according to the Czech farm ministry.

The rise in consumption follows a sharp downturn in 2001. Reports from the Czech Republic show that beef production is expected to fall to about 195,000 metric tons this year – a drop of 1.5 percent – while consumption is to rise to 189,000 tons.