CPEPC's February POTC and Sector Meetings

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US Broiler Production Expected To Increase Marginally in 2010

Broiler meat production during the 4th quarter of 2009 is forecast at 8.85 bln pounds, down fractionally from a year earlier, reports the USDA. The number of broiler eggs being set in incubators in that period and the number of chicks being placed for growout has steadily moved closer to the level seen in the 4th quarter of 2008.

During 2010 the number of chicks being placed for growout is expected to reach or slightly exceed the level seen in 2009 and, combined with a small increase in the average weights, is expected to push broiler meat production to 35.9 bln pounds, which is 1% up from 2009.

Broiler stocks are expected to total 640 mln pounds at the end of 2009, down 14% from the previous year. In 2010, ending stocks are expected to be higher due to a large decline in exports and a small increase in meat production.

www.worldpoultry.net

Bird Flu Closely Linked To Wild Bird Migration

A research jointly conducted by Chinese and Asian scientists has discovered that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak was closely related to bird migration, according to an official source in China. The research team consisted of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Indonesian and Chinese scientists.

Studies showed that avian influenza outbreaks in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau frequently coincided with bird migration, both in time and location. The studies proved that the role of wild birds in the transmission of avian influenza should be paid great attention to, said Dr Witthawat Wiriyarat from Thailand, who joined the research team. Dr Lei said: "The migratory birds could constantly adapt and become immune to influenza viruses. That has led to a decreasing infection ratio among them. "If we could strengthen monitoring and prevent poultry from contacting the wild migratory birds, the chance of them getting infected by the birds will decrease."

With support from the APEIR, the research team will continue studies on the relations between the avian influenza outbreak and the migratory bird, Lei said. The APEIR was initiated by Canada's International Development Research Center in 2005 to promote regional research collaboration on H5N1 bird flu.

www.thepoultrysite.com

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CFIA Moves to Maintain Food Label Program

A food-labelling approvals system designed to catch misleading claims or incomplete nutritional information before products hit grocery stores will not be killed after all.

The flip-flop at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency comes after Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the federal cabinet backed the idea to eliminate the pre-market label approval program for domestic and imported meat and domestic processed fruit and vegetable products.

No official announcement about eliminating the label registry was ever made, but the initiative was outlined in a confidential November 2007 submission to the Treasury Board obtained by Canwest News Service; the plan, meant to save $87,000 beginning this past fiscal year, was part of CFIA's 2007-08 strategic review.

When the plan became public in 2008, Ritz championed the move to eliminate pre-market approval of some labels. Explaining the agency relied on advice from companies, Ritz at the time said emphasis would be placed on enforcement "to verify that company labels meet health and safety and consumer-protection obligations."

But after two years of internal wrangling and public criticism from key industry players, CFIA has decided to keep the program.

- based on article from The Ottawa Citizen

Brazilian Producers Look To Open New Chicken Markets

The Arab-Brazil news agency (ANBA) reports that the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef) promises to work hard to open new markets this year, in order to partly make up for the losses incurred due to the appreciation of the real (the Brazilian currency) against the US dollar, which made the domestic product more expensive abroad, and due to the global demand retraction seen in 2009. The organisation's executive director, Ricardo Santin, told ANBA that the markets selected are Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sudan, Mexico, the United States and Senegal.

In 2009, Brazilian chicken exports totalled 3.63 million tonnes, a figure very similar to the volume shipped in 2008. Revenues, however, dropped by 16.3 per cent and totalled US$5.8 billion, as against US$6.9 billion in the previous year. There was growth in sales only to the Middle East, which is the leading market for Brazilian chicken exports, and to Africa. According to Mr Santin, it was these two markets – in particular, the Middle East – that prevented exports from dropping further in 2009.

Mr Santin asserted that there was no retraction of demand in the Middle East because there the GDP was less hit by the crisis than were other parts of the world. The executive added that local production in the region was unable to match the rising consumption, and that there was a vast supply of imported products at lower prices than in 2008.

In the case of Africa, Mr Santin told ANBA that certain markets retrieved their liquidity as a consequence of the oil price recovery, such as Angola, and others, such as South Africa, reduced their import tariffs. Another factor that favours sales to Africa is the population's rising income. According to Mr Santin, the first thing people do when they have some money is to consume more animal protein, and chicken is the cheapest meat.

www.thepoultrysite.com

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Brazil To Promote Egg Exports

In order to stimulate Brazilian egg exports, the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef) is planning a series of actions, domestic and foreign, including promotions at food fairs in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, China and France. The association's strategic plan was presented this week to companies in the industry that are considering becoming affiliated with the Abef, reports Arab-Brazil news agency (ANBA).

In the international sphere, Abef is renewing its sectorial project with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) in order to obtain more funds and to be able to promote the Brazilian product at international events. Abef will participate in the Gulfood fair on 21 to 24 February in Dubai; in the FoodEx, in Japan; in Sial China and Sial Paris, as well as in actions in South Africa, during the World Cup period.

Last year, Brazilian egg exports totalled 37,000 tonnes, as against 14,000 in 2005, attesting to the evolution of sales and to the potential of the Brazilian industry, according to the president of the Abef, Francisco Turra.

The world's main egg importing markets are China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the European Union. For those destinations, the Abef intends to carry out intelligence work in order to enter and develop the markets. Product will be promoted abroad under the 'Brazilian Egg' brand.

www.thepoultrysite.com

Cabinet Shuffle

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on January 19, 2010 announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. In keeping with the Cabinet’s economic focus, the Prime Minister announced that key economic portfolios would remain with veteran Cabinet ministers.

Mr. Harper thanked the Honourable Greg Thompson, MP (New Brunswick Southwest), for his service as Minister of Veterans Affairs. Notable changes to the Ministry include the appointment of the Honourable Christian Paradis as Minister of Natural Resources and the Honourable Stockwell Day as President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Peter Van Loan will assume the International Trade Portfolio.  The Prime Minister also welcomed the Honourable Rob Moore to the Ministry, where he will serve as Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism).

For a full list of the updated Ministry please see www.pm.gc.ca/grfx/docs/cabinet.pdf.

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Russia to Become Self-Sufficient Chicken Producer

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a press conference on January 15 that he expects his country to produce enough chicken for domestic needs and become a poultry exporter in four to five years.

Currently, Russia produces about 1.7 million tons of chicken per year, about 50% of the total domestic requirement. Putin’s remarks are in light of his country’s new ban on imports of chicken treated with chlorinated water, which would end U.S. poultry exports to the country.

Watt Poultry

H1N1 Found on California Turkey Farm

The H1N1 flu virus has been found in a flock of breeding turkeys in California, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

After the Central Valley flock had experienced a decrease in egg production, the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory tested members for the virus and confirmed its presence on December 28, 2009. The laboratory has sent samples to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, for additional confirmation.

The producer in charge of the facility has voluntarily put the flock under quarantine.

Watt Poultry

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Canadians on Paper In Favour of Free Range Eggs

A recent poll commissioned by the Vancouver Humane Society showed that 63% of Canadians indicated they would support a legislative ban on battery cages in their province, an increase from a similar poll in 2007.

The survey also found that 72% of Canadians are willing to pay more for farm animal products that are certified humane, while 54% are willing to pay a higher price for cage-free eggs.

However, a full 81% believe that farmers take good care of their animals, and 62% think that animals are treated humanely in the process of producing food.

Ten percent of Canadians polled and a full 21% of British Columbians already buy cage free eggs. VHS’s goal for B.C. is 50 percent by 2013.

Around 90% of all Canadian hens are kept in cages.

- based on article from www.worldpoultry.net

Hybrid Turkeys Acquires Three Grand-Parent Turkey Breeder Farms in France

To meet the demands of growing market share in Europe and the Maghreb, Hybrid Turkeys is pleased to announce the acquisition of three Grand-Parent turkey breeder farms in France, along with two additional properties that can be used for future expansion.  Following this acquisition, Hybrid Grand-Parent production will be located in Europe, USA, Canada, and Israel, providing a stable supply of turkey genetics for Hybrid customers throughout the world.

Hybrid Turkeys is the turkey breeding division of Hendrix Genetics. Hybrid has significant world market share and is one of the two major turkey breeding companies worldwide. The head office, hatcheries, research and pedigree farms are located in Ontario, Canada. Hybrid develops ongoing research programs to ensure that products meet the specific requirements of all international markets. Hybrid is a member of CPEPC.

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2010 Poultry Worker of the Year Award - Brian Herman

Brian Herman of Brian’s Poultry Services Ltd. was the recipient of the 2010 Poultry Worker of the Year award at the Poultry Industry Council’s Poultry Innovations Conference, held in Niagara Falls in November 2009. Brian is a major contributor to the Ontario poultry industry in helping develop the Codes of Practice for Poultry, a member of the Humane Transport Working Group, a member of the Ontario Livestock and Poultry Council, and serving on a number of PIC committees.  Congratulations Brian!

Conferences, Courses and Workshops

  The Strategy Institute presents the 6th Annual North American Summit on Food Safety March 9th and 10th, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Yorkdale in Toronto.  Register by calling 1-866-298-9343 or emailing registrations@strategyinstitute.com. Presenters who have worked with CPEPC in the past include Rick Holley - University of Manitoba and Ron Doering - Gowlings.

 Agenda   Speaker List   Companies Attending   Sponsorship   Be a Speaker

  The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre, as well as other sponsors, present the 2nd Annual Canadian Farm & Food Biogas Conference and Exhibition March 8-12th, 2010 at the London Convention Centre, London, Ontario. 

    PDF Brochure   Online Registration   PDF Registration Form   Sponsorship & Advertising   Exhibit

The Canadian Farm and Food Biogas and Growing the Margins conferences will share a joint exhibition of leading-edge technologies, processes and programs. Registration for one of either the Canadian Farm and Food Biogas or Growing the Margins conferences provides full access to the plenaries and technical sessions of both conferences. Registration for the associated events is additional.

Next Highlighter editions will be Feb. 12 and March 5 to accommodate CPEPC's February meetings

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