Asia Pacific | China closes three major beef plants over SARS concerns  The ...

Asia Pacific

 

China closes three major beef plants over SARS concerns 
The Sars outbreak in China has forced the mainland's largest meat-processing company to stop slaughtering pigs at three of its production plants, in a bid to protect its employees against the disease.

 

Meat Industry Alliance
Australian and South African meat industries to work together on marketing and research.

 

Europe

 

USDA and Russia sign agreement
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Alexei Gordeyev signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture. The agreement recognizes the importance of the agricultural partnership between the two countries and lays the groundwork for cooperative activities in a number of areas. These include: investment in agriculture; veterinary and phytosanitary activities; animal and plant genetics and biotechnology; joint agricultural research, extension and education; agricultural policy and development of rural areas; and sustainable agriculture development. Last year, two-way trade in agricultural, fish and forestry products between the United States and Russia totaled $1 billion, primarily meat and seafood.

 

UK: all for Cautious Approach to the Lifting of OTM Ban

The Food Standards Agency is being asked to recommend a slow, but steady, wind down of the human consumption ban on beef from cattle over thirty months old.

 

USA

 

Creekstone Farms begins operations at beef plant
Creekstone Farms has begun slaughter and processing operations at the former Future Beef Operations packing plant in Arkansas City, Kan. Operations began on a small scale May 1 to test the facilities, equipment and personnel, according to a report from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Company officials expect to increase slaughter to about 1,000 cattle per day within the next few weeks.

 

Nebraska Beef sues USDA over unfair practices by inspectors
Omaha, Neb.-based Nebraska Beef Ltd. has filed a federal lawsuit against the Agriculture Department, alleging meat inspectors are unfairly enforcing food safety regulations in the wake of a January court victory by Nebraska Beef over USDA, which sought to halt its slaughter operations.

Asia Pacific

 

China closes three major beef plants over SARS concerns 
The Sars outbreak in China has forced the mainland's largest meat-processing company to stop slaughtering pigs at three of its production plants, in a bid to protect its employees against the disease.

 

Meat Industry Alliance
Australian and South African meat industries to work together on marketing and research.

 

Europe

 

USDA and Russia sign agreement
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Alexei Gordeyev signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture. The agreement recognizes the importance of the agricultural partnership between the two countries and lays the groundwork for cooperative activities in a number of areas. These include: investment in agriculture; veterinary and phytosanitary activities; animal and plant genetics and biotechnology; joint agricultural research, extension and education; agricultural policy and development of rural areas; and sustainable agriculture development. Last year, two-way trade in agricultural, fish and forestry products between the United States and Russia totaled $1 billion, primarily meat and seafood.

 

UK: all for Cautious Approach to the Lifting of OTM Ban

The Food Standards Agency is being asked to recommend a slow, but steady, wind down of the human consumption ban on beef from cattle over thirty months old.

 

USA

 

Creekstone Farms begins operations at beef plant
Creekstone Farms has begun slaughter and processing operations at the former Future Beef Operations packing plant in Arkansas City, Kan. Operations began on a small scale May 1 to test the facilities, equipment and personnel, according to a report from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Company officials expect to increase slaughter to about 1,000 cattle per day within the next few weeks.

 

Nebraska Beef sues USDA over unfair practices by inspectors
Omaha, Neb.-based Nebraska Beef Ltd. has filed a federal lawsuit against the Agriculture Department, alleging meat inspectors are unfairly enforcing food safety regulations in the wake of a January court victory by Nebraska Beef over USDA, which sought to halt its slaughter operations.