Asia PacificBeef-bowl fans demand U.S. imports Japanese fans of beef-and-rice...

Asia Pacific

Beef-bowl fans demand U.S. imports
Japanese fans of beef-and-rice bowl dishes have collected some 1.19 million signatures in a petition demanding that Japan lift a 15-month-old ban on U.S. beef .

No U.S. beef to South Korea yet
South Korea on Friday made it clear that it would not remove a ban on imports of U.S. beef until its safety from bovine spongiform encephalopathy is verified through scientific methods, according to the Korea Times, according to Meatingplace.com.

Even if rules change, Japan intends to continue testing its cattle
Japanese retailers are criticizing a plan by the Ministry of Health to continue to subsidize the cost of testing all cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy for up to three years, even if the government decides to ease testing requirements.

Americas

USDA classifies four Mexican states free of classical swine fever
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its regulations by adding the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Sonora and Yucatan to the list of regions considered free of classical swine fever (CSF).

Swine producers advised to prepare for price downturn
A Barhead, Alberta feed supplier is advising swine producers to prepare for the next downswing in live hog prices.

Brazil has potential for pork
Despite its image as a meat exporter, Brazil has the potential for pork imports from the United States.

Europe

Effective ventilation brings pig health benefits in chilling times
During extremes of weather pig farmers tend to become more aware of the specific ventilation needs of the pigs in their care.

Traceability Check
Ireland’s Agriculture Ministry sends out cattle records to farmers to ensure accuracy of its traceability system.

USA

Canada-Mexico-U.S. agree to a harmonized BSE import standard
Officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States (U.S.) met recently in Mexico City and agreed to a harmonized North American import standard for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

USDA opposes NMA entry into R-CALF lawsuit
In a move that stunned the National Meat Association, USDA lawyers filed a brief Monday evening strongly opposing the granting of intervenor status to NMA in its appeal of a restraining order that effectively keeps the Canadian border closed to cattle.

USDA: Pork production reaches record high; beef and cattle down
U.S. meat production figures for February presented a mixed picture, with pork production reaching all-time highs and beef production dipping below the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Asia Pacific

Beef-bowl fans demand U.S. imports
Japanese fans of beef-and-rice bowl dishes have collected some 1.19 million signatures in a petition demanding that Japan lift a 15-month-old ban on U.S. beef .

No U.S. beef to South Korea yet
South Korea on Friday made it clear that it would not remove a ban on imports of U.S. beef until its safety from bovine spongiform encephalopathy is verified through scientific methods, according to the Korea Times, according to Meatingplace.com.

Even if rules change, Japan intends to continue testing its cattle
Japanese retailers are criticizing a plan by the Ministry of Health to continue to subsidize the cost of testing all cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy for up to three years, even if the government decides to ease testing requirements.

Americas

USDA classifies four Mexican states free of classical swine fever
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its regulations by adding the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Sonora and Yucatan to the list of regions considered free of classical swine fever (CSF).

Swine producers advised to prepare for price downturn
A Barhead, Alberta feed supplier is advising swine producers to prepare for the next downswing in live hog prices.

Brazil has potential for pork
Despite its image as a meat exporter, Brazil has the potential for pork imports from the United States.

Europe

Effective ventilation brings pig health benefits in chilling times
During extremes of weather pig farmers tend to become more aware of the specific ventilation needs of the pigs in their care.

Traceability Check
Ireland’s Agriculture Ministry sends out cattle records to farmers to ensure accuracy of its traceability system.

USA

Canada-Mexico-U.S. agree to a harmonized BSE import standard
Officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States (U.S.) met recently in Mexico City and agreed to a harmonized North American import standard for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

USDA opposes NMA entry into R-CALF lawsuit
In a move that stunned the National Meat Association, USDA lawyers filed a brief Monday evening strongly opposing the granting of intervenor status to NMA in its appeal of a restraining order that effectively keeps the Canadian border closed to cattle.

USDA: Pork production reaches record high; beef and cattle down
U.S. meat production figures for February presented a mixed picture, with pork production reaching all-time highs and beef production dipping below the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.