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Ottawa Prepares to Take on Obama over Country of Origin Labeling US Egg Inventory Balloons Following Easter US Poultry Industry Organization Form Joint Council on Human Resources and Safety
The Convention is only six weeks away and plans are now complete for what should be a great Convention. Business and social plans are locked in and there will be something for everyone from thought provoking sessions and speakers to an opportunity to soak up some of that down east hospitality. There is still opportunity to sponsor some aspect of the convention and the golf tournament. Please contact Susan Mallet to secure your spot. We also require prizes for the golf tournament. Should you have any merchandise you wish to contribute please send it to the CPEPC office as soon as possible. If you have not yet registered for the Convention or the golf tournament or have yet to book your room at the hotel please do so right away. The hotel room block expires May 5, 2009. See you in Moncton!
As of 06:00 GMT, 1 May 2009, Mexico has reported 156 confirmed cases with nine deaths, the United States has reported 109 confirmed cases with one death, and 9 other countries have reported 66 confirmed cases with no deaths (Canada 34 cases). The World Health Organization advises no closure of borders or restriction of regular travel. However people are advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms following international travel and are asked to delay travel and seek medical attention if they are or may be ill. The virus is now being referred to as Influenza A (H1N1) or Human Swine Flu rather than Swine Flu to denote the fact that it has mutated from animal-to-human form into a novel virus being transmitted from human to human. Authorities are making it clear that there is no risk of infection from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. A number of public and private organizations are posting notices reminding individuals to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of a flu-like illness.
Ottawa Prepares to Take on Obama over Country of Origin Labeling Ottawa is taking the United States to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over a new food labeling law. Trade Minister Stockwell Day said he alerted U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to the challenge when the two met for the first time yesterday in Washington. "We think this is offside," Mr. Day told reporters. "We've given him the heads-up that we are moving ahead." Under WTO rules, Canada's request starts the clock ticking on a 60-day consultation period, after which Ottawa can request a dispute panel to settle the case. At issue is a new U.S. country-of-origin labeling, or COOL, law, which forces U.S. food companies to carefully track and disclose to consumers all the foreign-sourced ingredients in their products. The rules were released early in the Obama presidency. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has urged the U.S. industry to adopt even more explicit labeling on a "voluntary" basis, a request that Canadian officials said is already causing U.S. buyers to shun Canadian product and triggered the decision to challenge the law. In addition to livestock imports, the labeling law could also affect a broad range of Canadian processed meat exports, including bacon and sliced sandwich meats. Foodmarket.com US Egg Inventory Balloons Following Easter The USDA reported that the shell egg inventory following Easter Monday is the largest since the Monday following Easter of 2006. The following week, the inventory levels increased to 1,078.6 million cases, which was up 27% from the previous week. The wholesale egg prices continue to decline daily. The Urner Barry’s Midwest large quote dropped 35˘ per dozen during the week following Easter, which may be a record. The USDA breaking report show that 1% fewer shell eggs have been broken through the week ending April 11 and the dried egg inventory as of March 31 was 158% of last year’s total. The USDA also reported that the flock inventory on April 1 was 283.2 million hens and was 2.5 million larger than a year ago. With the normal increase demographics, it is expected the increase should not impact egg markets to such degree. The unanswered question remains whether there is a lost per capita consumption or whether the poor economy is impacting egg consumption. Source: As reported in the April 23rd, 2009 UEP Newsletter
US Poultry Industry Organization Form Joint Council on Human Resources and Safety US Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation have formed joint councils on human resources and safety. The Joint Poultry Industry Human Resources Council and the Joint Poultry Industry Safety and Health Council consolidate what previously were separate committees that addressed similar issues. The objective is to enhance the coordination of industry programs in these areas. The industry faces challenges that are common to all 3 organizations, and the joint councils will streamline their efforts and eliminate duplication. The 3 organizations established the goals of the new councils: provide a strong unified voice for the poultry industry; promote information exchange between the associations and their members; more effectively utilize industry and association resources; reduce the burden on industry representatives by combining the committees; each association may still address species-specific concerns. "Our 3 associations bonded our respective Environmental Committees together a few years ago, allowing the industry to speak with a common voice and effectively utilize each organization's strengths," said John Starkey, president of US Poultry & Egg Association. "We believe this move will enable the industry to enjoy the same efficiency and effectiveness in the critical HR and safety areas," he added. George Watts, president of the National Chicken Council also commended the joint effort. "We are pleased to join with the National Turkey Federation and US Poultry & Egg Association in forming industry councils on human resources and safety," he said. "Workplace safety and health is a key objective and core value for all poultry processing companies. The councils will provide a strong unified voice for the poultry industry and will help us effectively focus time and effort on important issues." "The turkey industry is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment where employees can work with respect and dignity," said National Turkey Federation president Joel Brandenberger. "The joint councils will allow NTF, the National Chicken Council and US Poultry & Egg Association to collaborate on important worker safety and health issues in a manner that enhances the benefits to members of all three associations. NTF is looking forward to working with the other organizations in this exciting effort," he said. www.worldpoultry.net The ban on conventional cages will lead to a shortage of eggs in Europe. That is the view of Prof Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst, a statistical analyst with the International Egg Commission, who issued his warning during a presentation to delegates at the IEC’s London Conference. "Europe will go from being an egg surplus region to an egg deficit region. The question is, who will supply us?" said Prof Windhorst, who said that if eggs had to be imported from eastern European countries outside the EU or from other parts of the world, the decision to ban conventional cages in the EU would have done nothing to benefit animal welfare – the reason the EU had decided to implement the ban. Prof Windhorst has been examining the changing patterns of egg production and trade around the world. His findings cover the period from 1990 to 2007. His report was presented to the IEC conference at the end of March and it shows that egg production in Europe fell from 10.2 million tonnes in 1992 to 9.9 million tonnes in 2007. Prof Windhorst believes figures will get worse as a result of the EU’s decision to ban conventional cages. Source: FarmingUK Newsdesk and the April 23, 2009 UEP Newsletter
Organic Product Regulations and Production Systems General Principles and Management Standards coming June 30th June 30th will mark the implementation date of a new set of Regulations in Canada, the Organic Products Regulations. In response to a request from the EU, countries with organic food products exported to EU countries were requested to implement stronger rules and regulations around their domestic organic production. Over two years ago, a new division was formed within CFIA, the Canada Organics Office and was charged with drafting the Regulations after some consultation with industry stakeholders. At the same time, as organic certification is poised to move from a voluntary process to mandatory the Canadian General Standards Board and their 104-member stakeholder committee, the Organic Agriculture Technical Committee has been redrafting the Organic Production Systems General Principles and Management Standards as well as the Permitted Substances List. The complex task of revising the existing 2006 organic standards has been a ballot process wherein 44 voting members from within the Technical Committee vote on proposed word revisions in the standard. The revision continues to be a work in progress. Even after the recent 10th meeting of the Organic Agriculture Technical Committee there remains a long list of unresolved future work list items, demonstrating the controversial nature of the subject and varied interpretation. Through the national organizations the commercial organic poultry sector has had what they regard as limited input in the standards development. In an effort to get a seat at the table, poultry was finally granted voting capacity on the Technical Committee at the most recent April 15/16 meeting. The views of the commercial organic poultry sector and the greater organic sector are not aligned. A poultry specific subcommittee will be struck to work through some of the more controversial items in an attempt to find compromise. With increasing consumer awareness for health and safety in their food choices studies showed that the organic sector reported some significant growth despite the typical higher cost of the items. The seemingly impossible challenge is to develop a standard that permits growth in the sector, meets consumer expectations, as well as the expectations of organic producers from all sectors, is feasible for organic producers and satisfies the regulatory requirements of trading nations.
In Memoriam - Walter Nickel We regret to report the passing on April 28th of Walter Nickel, former Chair of the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency (now Turkey Farmers of Canada) from 2002 – 2003. Walter started his tenure with the Agency as an Alternate for British Columbia in 1995. He served as a Director from 1996 on, and was elected to the Executive in 2000. From 1998 to 2002 he also served on several Agency committees. CPEPC joins TFC in extending sympathies to Walter's wife Helen, and the Nickel family. The funeral is Monday May 4, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntington Rd., Abbotsford, BC. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the B.C. Lung Association. |
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