TheMeatSite Newsletter - 15 June 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Concerns Raised for Pig Meat Trade

Analysts at the recent World Pork Expo in Des Moines have forecast tough times ahead for the US pig industry.

A combination of floods and drought has hit feed supplies for producers and for those operating on the cash markets harder times are ahead with squeezed prices.

However, US pig meat exports are rising and there are hopes for a lift in exports to South Korea and the Asian Markets, with Viet Nam being a particular target. The pig producers put out a fresh call to the US government to swiftly implement the free trade agreements that have been drawn up with South Korea, Panama and Colombia to avoid losing their share of the market to other exporting nations such as the European bloc.

During the expo, the National Pork Producers' Council expressed concern that if the new Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules in the US farm bill come into force they could see the pig industry shrink by two per cent.

However, the NPPC also urged the US government to accept rulings within the World Trade Organisation to prevent damage to the US pig meat trade and exports.

New labelling rules that have been put in place by the Chinese authorities are causing concern for US exporters.

Thad Lively, US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for trade access, said the cost of the new labelling requirements will be a disincentive for US processors.

In Europe, proposals have been put forward to increase the age at which BSE tests are carried out.

The Food Standards Agency in the UK has advised Ministers that it would be acceptable to raise the age threshold for healthy cattle slaughtered for human consumption born in the UK and 24 other EU Member States from 48 to 72 months.

Chris Harris

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

Food System Must Invest in Processing
Processed meat and food products have received a lot of criticism for being unhealthy, causing obesity and at times for safety issues, writes TheMeatSite Editor-in-Chief, Chris Harris.

Dietary Linoleic Acid Content Can Predict Carcase Fat Quality
Dietary C18:2n-6 (linoleic acid) content was a better predictor of carcase fat iodine value than diet iodine value, according to researchers based at Kansas State University.

Meat Can be Produced Without Animals
If we are to produce sustainable and healthy food for the global population of nine billion people that is projected in 2050, then we must think along completely new lines.

Value Added Poultry Applications in Meat Processing
The purpose of the mechanical separation process is the removal of functional proteins and saleable lean from the skeletons of chickens and turkeys.

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates - June 2011
The forecast for 2011 total meat production is raised from last month, reflecting higher beef production, according to the latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Company News

Wide Range of Attractions at MEATUP
UK - The new MEATUP trade show that has attracted more than 100 exhibitors from across the meat industry will include three free workshops in the exhibition theatre.

Global Meat Industry News