Ireland is due to receive doses of a vaccine for people deemed to be at a higher risk of exposure to avian influenza (bird flu) due to their job in the coming months.

It was recently confirmed that the EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) signed a contract for the supply of up to 665,000 doses of the zoonotic influenza vaccine, Seqirus.

The European Commission said that it will have the option for a further 40 million doses, if required, over the duration of the contract.

15 EU member states, including Ireland, are participating in the voluntary procurement framework with the company Seqirus UK Ltd.

Vaccine

The HSE National Health Protection Office has welcomed the agreement, adding that the vaccine is “an important medical countermeasure to prevent the spread of avian influenza”.

The office told Agriland that it has been working with stakeholders to prepare for the introduction of this vaccine in Ireland and “discussions are ongoing about the likely model of delivery”.

“As part of the initial agreement, Ireland has secured sufficient quantities of vaccine to support our future response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

“This has been funded at a member state level, and we expect to have access to the doses in the second half of 2024,” a spokesperson said.

The HSE said that the vaccines will be used according to public health advice to protect those people who are most likely to be exposed to bird flu due to their occupation.

“The use of this vaccine is intended to prevent the spread of avian influenza among people and to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks of disease occurring,” the spokesperson added.

Bird flu

The standing joint HPAI National Coordination Group (HPAI-NCG), including representatives from HSE, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

It monitors and advises on all aspects of bird flu, including the development of relevant guidance and maintains a regularly updated dynamic risk assessment of the threat posed by the virus.

Currently, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of bird flu remains low for the general public, while the risk for those working with or exposed to infected birds and mammals is low to moderate.

Although bird flu activity is high at present in the US, it remains at low levels in Europe.

A multistate outbreak of bird flu in dairy cows was first reported in the US on March 25. This is the first time that these bird flu viruses had been found in cows.

The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 118 dairy herds across 12 states have been impacted as of last Friday (June 21).

Three human cases of influenza A(H5N1) virus infection have been reported in the US, following exposure to dairy cattle.

“The current situation involving the extensive outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the USA does not change our national risk assessment.

“However, the HPAI-NCG continues to closely monitor and assess the situation in conjunction with partners in Northern Ireland and ECDC,” the HSE said.

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A group of EU farmers has called on the European Commission to ensure that there is “no further escalation” in the trade tensions between the EU and China.

Authorities in China have said that an anti-dumping investigation will be launched into pork products originating from the EU.

Dumping, in an economic sense, refers to the export of produce to a another market at sufficient volume or at sufficiently-low prices so as to undermine the competitiveness of indigenous producers of the product in the target market.

It comes after the European Commission said last week that an investigation it carried out “provisionally concluded” that the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in China benefits from unfair subsidies.

Copa Cogeca, the group of EU farm organisations (whose Irish representative is the Irish Farmers’ Association) said that EU agri-food producers are growing wary of further escalation, given the positive trade balance the sector currently enjoys with China.

“This is not the fist time the EU’s well performing agri-food products [have been] caught in the crossfire of disputes concerning other sectors. From the perspective of the pork producers and the agri-food sector that works hard to ensure and maintain market access in China, this is not acceptable,” Copa said.

The group said that taking part in China’s investigation will be very costly and burdensome to exporters, and will most likely lead to a loss of market in China.

Our pigmeat exports to China have already significantly decreased in previous years, as they’ve rebuilt the local production, following the large African swine fever outbreak, but the EU still exports important quantities of by-products, many of which don’t really find their market in Europe.

“This investigation will surely be impactful for EU producers, especially those in Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, France, but also Belgium, which has just recently re-gained market access to China,” Copa said.

The group added: “The commission should make sure there is no further escalation and that our sector is not the one picking up the bill again for disputes concerning other sectors. It must also ensure our producers are well supported in the process of this investigation and whatever the effects of its outcome might be.”

EU farmers on NRL

Copa also reacted to the passage of the Nature Restoration Law, saying it was passed in the Council of the EU with “the slimmest majority possible”, and which was “defined by the individual voices of ministers and not the positions of national governments”.

“This course, derived from a flawed proposal, will cause legal battles at regional, national and European levels, with the future unclear as to how or when this law will be implemented,” the group said.

“Political rhetoric aside, the question of the lack of clear and consistent funding for ecosystem restoration across the EU remains unanswered.

“This comes just weeks after the European elections, in which agriculture played a particular role in the discussion. This will be the first sign to farmers and forest owners of the intentions of their national governments and the next commission,” Copa added.

Copa has also commented on the announcement from Green Party leader Eamon Ryan that he would step down from the role.

In a post on X, Copa claimed Ryan’s decision, as well as the move by the Austrian environment minister to support the law in controversial circumstances, was an “inglorious conclusion” to the Nature Restoration Law, but “so predictable for a law that has been forced through at every stage of the democratic process”.

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299 incidents were reported to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) that occurred in meat processing plants in 2023.

The most common cause of incidents involved the lifting or carrying of items.

While 299 incidents occurred in 2023, 80 occurred in the first four months of 2024.

Taking a look at this 16 month period from January 2023 to April 2024, the highest number of incidents during this period were recorded in Co. Cork, with the lowest number in counties Laois and Waterford.

11% of the incidents occurred in Co. Cork, while 10% happened in meat processing plants in Co. Tipperary.

24 incidents happened in Mayo and Roscommon, while Kildare, Kilkenny and Wexford all saw 20 incidents occur at meat processing plants in the counties.

Just seven counties saw fewer than ten incidents occur at meat processing plants during this 16 month period.

Below is a table provided by the HSA of 251 incident triggers from 2023 to April 2024:

From this table, it can be seen that lifting and carrying was the trigger of 60 of these incidents, with pushing and pulling being the second highest cause of incidents with a total of 55.

Incident data can be reported to the HSA with a delay; therefore, this data is provisional and subject to change

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Authorities in China have said that an anti-dumping investigation will be launched into pork products originating from the EU.

Dumping, in an economic sense, refers to the export of produce to a another market at sufficient volume or at sufficiently-low prices so as to undermine the competitiveness of indigenous producers of the product in the target market.

It comes after the European Commission said last week that an investigation it carried out “provisionally concluded” that the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in China benefits from unfair subsidies.

The move by China to launch the anti-dumping investigation into EU pork products is seen as a response to the commission’s investigation.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said today (Monday, June 17) that it received an anti-dumping investigation application that was submitted on behalf of the domestic pork and pig by-products industry.

The ministry said that it reviewed the application and found that there was cause for an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork. The authorities confirmed that the investigation would begin from today.

The investigation will examine any potential dumping that occurred throughout 2023.

The investigation pertains to a range of pork and pig by-products for human consumption.

On June 12, the European Commission said that, as part of an ongoing investigation, it provisionally concluded that the battery EVs value chain in China “benefits from unfair subsidisation”.

The commission claimed that these subsidies are causing a threat of economic injury to EU battery EV producers.

As part of that preliminary finding, the commission disclosed the level of provisional countervailing duties it would impose on imports of battery EVs from China. These duties, ranging from 17% to 38% of value depending on the EV producer, will be implemented from July 4 if talks on the issue with China prove fruitless.

Reacting to these duties and the EU’s investigation, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce claimed that the commission’s findings “lack both factual and legal basis”.

The Chinese ministry also said that the country’s battery EV sector operates on the basis of “open competition”, and claimed that the EU’s “blatant protectionism creates and escalates trade frictions”.

All this comes after an unconfirmed report had suggested Chinese companies may call on authorities to also undertake an “anti-subsidy investigation” into its imports of EU dairy products.

In a recent social media post, the Chinese state-backed newspaper, The Global Times, claimed that “relevant” industries in the country are “preparing evidence”.

The paper said it had been informed by “a business insider” that these companies “plan to apply to competent authorities” to launch a probe into imports of “relevant dairy products from the EU”.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told Agriland at the time that it does not comment on speculation.

China is the third-largest destination for the EU’s agri-food exports, accounting for nearly 7% of the bloc’s total agri-food trade.

The EU exported €1.7 billion worth of dairy products to China in 2023, down from just over €2 billion in the previous year.

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The European Commission is preparing to offer vaccines to people deemed to be at a higher risk of exposure to avian influenza (bird flu).

The EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has today (Tuesday, June 11) signed a contract for the supply of up to 665,000 doses of the zoonotic influenza vaccine, Seqirus.

The commission said that it will have the option for a further 40 million doses, if required, over the duration of the contract.

15 EU member states, including Ireland, are participating in the voluntary procurement with the company Seqirus UK Ltd.

The contract, which will run for up to four years, allows each participating country to take into account their public health context and order vaccines depending on national need.

Bird flu

The EU Commission said that the vaccine is intended for those most exposed to potential transfers of avian influenza from birds or animals, such as poultry farm workers and veterinarians.

It added that securing access to the vaccines aims to prevent the spread or potential outbreaks of bird flu in Europe, protecting citizens and livelihoods.

Seqirus is the only preventive zoonotic avian influenza vaccine currently authorised in the EU. It is used on adults and protects against flu caused by H5 strains of the influenza A virus.

Shipments are currently being prepared to Finland for immediate vaccinations of the workers at risk of exposure.

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said that the threat of bird flu to the general population “remains low”.

However, she added that there is a need to protect people at higher risk, such as poultry and farm workers or certain veterinarians.

“Today, we announce an agreement on behalf of participating countries to secure access to over 40 million doses of avian influenza vaccine.

“We are ready to take further action should the situation evolve in the future.

“Our European Health Union serves to protect people’s lives and livelihoods, and being prepared for health threats is at the core of our work,” the commissioner said.

Mexico

Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the death of a man in Mexico after he contracted the H5N2 strain of avian influenza.

It was the first laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza subtype A(H5N2) reported globally.

The patient, who was a resident of the state of Mexico, was hospitalised in Mexico City on May 23 and died the same day.

The WHO said that no human-to-human transmission associated with this event has been reported.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that the risk of zoonotic influenza transmission to the general public in EU countries is considered low.

To date, there has been no confirmed human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 strain of the virus.

There have also been no reported active cases of bird flu infection in humans in the EU.

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The quantity of pigmeat produced per sow per year has increased by 7% since 2018 due to a combination of factors according to the National Pig Herd Performance Report 2023.

The report, by the Teagasc Pig Development Department, showed that the output of pigmeat per sow per year increased from 2,482kg in 2022 to 2,491kg in 2023.

Output rose due to an increase in the number of pigs produced per sow per year and increased carcass weights.

The report analysed the performance of the pig farms that participated in the Teagasc Profit Monitor (PM) recording system in 2023.

This included a total of 91 herds representing over 78,000 sows or 58% of the total Irish sow herd.

Pigmeat

The performance parameters in the report are the weighted average (weighted by the herd size) of the participating herds.

The average herd size included in the database is 864 sows and ranged from less than 100 sows to over 2,500.

The number of pigs born alive per litter rose by 14.94 and there was an increase in litters per sow per year, from 2.26 in 2023 compared to 2.24 in 2022.

This, combined with a slight rise in weaner and finisher mortality, has caused the number of pigs produced per sow per year to increase from 27.4 in 2022 to 27.9 in 2023, according to the report.

Since 2018, growth rates from weaning to sale have increased by 5.5%, according to Teagasc.

The feed conversion has remained quite constant even though the live weight at sale increased by 3.7%. The report states that there is still room for “further improvement” in this area.

Feed normally represents about 70% of production costs, according to Teagasc.

Feed costs per tonne fluctuate in line with ingredients, which will affect the feed cost from year to year.

Weights

The average dead weight in recorded herds decreased from 90.6kg in 2022 to 89.3kg in 2023 per pig sold.

There was an increase in growth rate from weaning to sale, from 736g/day to 757g/day.

There was also a decrease of 0.03 in the feed conversion from weaning to sale compared to 2022.

The average output of pigmeat per sow per year was 2,491kg in 2023. This amount of pigmeat was produced using 8,809kg of feed.

This means it took 3.54kg of feed to produce 1kg of pigmeat compared to 3.56kg in 2022.

The same figure ranged between 3.66 and 3.79 in the 10 years from 2001 to 2010.

There was a slight increase in the total feed fed to weaners in 2023 at 58kg, compared to 2022 at 57.4kg. The transfer weight did not change.

Weaner mortality rose to 3.42% in 2023 from 3.33% in 2022.

The report stated that there may be some level of inaccuracy, as on most farms the weight of weaners transferred to finishing accommodation is an estimated weight rather than actual weights at transfer.

The same qualification applies to finisher performance data as weaner transfer weights are usually estimated on most Irish pig farms.

Finisher growth rates increased from 909g/day to 940g/day from 2022 to 2023. There was a decrease in feed conversion from 2.70 in 2022 to 2.64 in 2023.

Pig slaughter weights fell from 118.4kg live weight in 2022 to 116.8kg live weight 2023.

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Some 3,500 pigs have to be culled after an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) at a fattening farm in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany.

Germany’s Federal Research Institute for Animal Health confirmed the suspected presence of ASF in samples from pigs which it said had become “clinically conspicuous”.

The exact cause of the infection is still unclear. However, there is currently no indication of an active epidemic among wild boar in the region, according to the institute.

The farm was officially closed and animal disease control measures were initiated. Investigations are also being initiated to identify a possible cause of the outbreak.

A 3km protection zone has been established, as well as a 10km surveillance zone which includes over 60 other pig farms, the local authority of Vorpommern-Greifswald said.

ASF was first detected in domestic pigs in Germany in July 2021. Since then, there have been a total of eight outbreaks in domestic pigs, according to the institute.

These outbreaks occurred in Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the last of which was detected in February 2023.

ASF

Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals or carcasses, and ingestion of contaminated food waste, or pork products, or preparations.

However, indirect disease transmission can also occur through vehicles, contaminated equipment, devices, machines and clothing, according to the institute.

Contact with the blood of infected pigs is the “most efficient” transmission route. Infected animals develop very severe but non-specific symptoms, which are usually fatal. 

ASF cannot be transmitted between animals and humans. Other domestic and wild animals are also not susceptible to the disease, according to the institute.

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The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has saved 121 birds, including domestic hens, from living in “appalling conditions” in the midlands during a rescue operation.

The birds, which also included species such as parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, budgies, finches, and quail, were discovered in a severe state of neglect, according to the ISPCA.

The investigation was led by inspector Lyndsey Delaney, who said she had “never seen conditions like it before”.

The hens and other birds were found living among a severe accumulation of faeces, rotten food, fly infestations, and cobwebs.

Tragically, some birds were already dead, while others suffered injuries like broken wings, beak damage, and severe feather loss.

ISPCA

The multi-agency operation involved An Garda Siochána, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

All birds were removed from the premises and are now in the care of specialised rescues equipped to provide the necessary rehabilitation.

Inspector Delaney continued: “The smell inside was indescribable, and fume masks had to be worn.

“We struggled to operate in the environment for a few minutes at a time; it’s unbelievable to think these birds lived in there for years,” she added.

ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling, emphasised the long-term impact on the rescued birds, including the hens.

“These birds were subjected to years of living in appalling conditions and not receiving appropriate care,” he said.

Dowling thanked Parrot Rescue Ireland and Cork SPCA for their assistance.

“We would like to thank all of those involved especially Parrot Rescue Ireland and Cork SPCA who have taken on the care and rehabilitation of the majority of the exotic birds,” he added.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the death of a man in Mexico after he contracted the avian influenza A(H5N2) virus.

It was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus reported globally and the first avian H5 virus infection in a person reported in Mexico.

On May 23, 2024, the Mexico International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) reported to WHO a confirmed fatal case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus detected in a resident of the State of Mexico who was hospitalized in Mexico City.

Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A(H5N2) viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico.

Based on available information, the WHO assessed the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as “low”.

The deceased was a 59-year-old who was hospitalized in Mexico City and had “no history of exposure to poultry or other animals,” according to the WHO.

The organisation confirmed the case had multiple underlying medical conditions. The case’s relatives reported that the case had already been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms.

No further cases were reported during the epidemiological investigation. Of the 17 contacts identified and monitored at the hospital where the case died, one reported a runny nose between 28 and 29 April.

In March 2024, a high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N2) outbreak was detected in a backyard poultry farm in the state of Michoacán, which borders the State of Mexico where the case was residing.

Additionally, in March 2024, an outbreak of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A(H5N2) was identified in poultry in Texcoco, State of Mexico, and a second outbreak of LPAI A(H5N2) in April in the municipality of Temascalapa in the same state.

Thus far, the WHO has stated “it has not been possible to establish if this human case is related to the recent poultry outbreaks”.

Avian influenza

Animal influenza viruses normally circulate in animals but can also infect humans.

Infections in humans have primarily been acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Depending on the original host, influenza A viruses can be classified as avian influenza, swine influenza, or other types of animal influenza viruses.

Avian influenza virus infections in humans may cause mild to severe upper respiratory tract infections and can be fatal.

Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis and encephalopathy have also been reported.

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New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that cattle slaughterings over the 12 months to April 2024 are estimated to be almost 638,000 head.

This represents an increase of more than 28,000 head when compared with the same period in 2023.

Latest livestock slaughterings figures published today (Tuesday, May 28) by the CSO also show that in the first four months of 2024 cattle slaughterings rose by 4.6% when compared with the same period in 2023.

The number of pigs slaughtered last month also rose by almost 23,000 head to 273,000 head when compared to the same month last year.

But the number of sheep slaughtered in April 2024 were 205,000 head – which represented a drop of nearly 45,000 head when compared with the same month in 2023.

The latest CSO statistics are based on figures from slaughterings at both meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities.

CSO

Further analysis of the latest CSO figures show that in the 12 month period to April 2024 cattle slaughterings are estimated to be almost 638,000 head- which represents a 4.6% increase when compared with the same period in 2023.

During the same period sheep slaughterings decreased by approximately 57,000 head – 5.6% – to just over 954,000 head when compared with the same four months in 2023.

Meanwhile pig slaughterings are estimated to be approximately 1.1 million head for January to April 2024, up nearly 9,000 head on the same period in 2023.

Bord Bia

Latest Bord Bia figures highlight that there were 31,984 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending May 19, 2024 – which has taken throughput for the year to date to 692,034 head.

This represents a 18,573 head or 3% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 673,461 cattle were processed.

“There have been 494,448  prime cattle processed in the first 20 weeks of 2024 – a 3% increase from the same period last year.

“Cow throughput has remained strong with 167,808 cows processed so far this year, a notable increase of 18,817 head,” Bord Bia stated.

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Over 180 pig producers and industry stakeholders gathered at two events this week as part of the Teagasc Pig Open Day.

Delegates gathered in the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork and in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co. Cavan.

The session also included an overview of planned future research by the head of the Teagasc Pig Development Department, Dr. Edgar Garcia Manzanilla.

Pig Open Day

The events allowed attendees to view results from the pig research programme undertaken by Teagasc, and to meet with the researchers, students and staff who carry out the work.

Much of the research showcased had an emphasis on management and nutritional strategies, as well as sustainable pig production.

Topics included the impact of parasites on liver quality and pig performance and the sustainability of pig diets.

Researchers examining the value of “assurance labelling” said that one third of consumers valued the high pig welfare label.

A team examining the issue of tail biting identified “major risk factors” on Irish pig farms.

A study on farrowing room enrichment options found no negative impacts on production and lower damaging behaviour in piglets.

The results of another trial recommended creep feeding for piglets to increase weaning weight.

Research

Those in attendance were also given an update on the Teagasc Pig Research Facility, which opened in August 2023, including some of the new technologies being employed in the unit.

This includes the LeeO system for herd management developed by MSD Animal Health.

This year saw the launch of the “Pig Nutrition Feed Lab”, which is currently carrying out an analysis of feed ingredients from the Teagasc pig sector feedstuffs analysis programme.

Open day organiser and Teagasc specialised advisor, Dr. Amy Quinn said they were delighted with the high turnout at both events.

“Attendees really enjoyed the interactive structure. This type of engagement and feedback benefits both the attendees and our research staff and students, strengthens our programme and ensures our future research continues to be both applicable and of high quality,” she said.

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The use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in slaughterhouses in Wales is to become mandatory this year.

The mandatory use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Wales) Regulations 2024 will require CCTV cameras to be installed in all slaughterhouses in areas where live animals are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned, and killed.

The Senedd approved the regulations yesterday (Tuesday, May 22) which are now included in the Animal Welfare Plan for Wales, which seeks to maintain and improve standards of welfare for all kept animals.

Most slaughterhouses in Wales already have CCTV.  This requirement ensures all are covered, supporting consumer confidence that welfare standards are being delivered.  

Requirements to install and operate a CCTV system and keep CCTV footage and information will come into force on June 1.

This gives a six-month period where the Food Standards Agency will work with slaughterhouse operators to ensure they are compliant with the requirements, ahead of the Regulations being enforced on December 1.

In a statement, the Welsh government said CCTV “does not replace direct oversight by slaughterhouse management or official veterinarians,” but that “it can help improve the efficiency of monitoring and enforcement activity”.

The cabinet secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Animal welfare is a key priority for this government, we want our farmed animals to have a good quality of life and we take welfare at slaughterhouses very seriously.

“The network of slaughterhouses in Wales provide essential services to farmers, butchers, and consumers.They also provide skilled jobs and support local supply chains.

“Mandatory CCTV for all our slaughterhouses further supports consumer confidence that welfare standards are being delivered,” she added.

A twelve-week public consultation was published on November 14, 2022 and closed for responses on February 6, 2023.

A summary of the responses to the consultation was published in May 2023.

The Welsh government confirmed there were 16,000 responses to the consultation and the “overwhelming majority agreed” that CCTV cameras should be installed in all approved slaughterhouses in Wales.

CCTV in slaughterhouses has been mandatory in England since 2018 and mandatory in Scotland since 2021.

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Last year saw a five-fold increase in the number of outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs in the EU compared to 2022, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

In new research, the EFSA said that 14 EU member states were affected by ASF in 2023, including Sweden and Croatia (which had not seen outbreaks previously, though their cases were in wild boar only), as well as Greece, which did not see any cases in 2022.

The number of outbreaks in domestic pigs reached a similar level as 2019, and was predominately driven by the introduction and subsequent spread of ASF in Croatia (1,124 outbreaks in 2023) and its resurgence in Romania (736 outbreaks), according to the EFSA.

These two countries accounted for 96% of all EU outbreaks in domestic pigs in 2023. In the rest of the EU, outbreaks among domestic pigs were more sporadic, with 30 in Poland, 16 in Italy, and less than 10 in each of the remaining affected countries.

96% of all outbreaks in the EU occurred on establishments with fewer than 100 pigs, while only six outbreaks occurred on premises with over 10,000 pigs, all of which were in Romania.

There was an apparent seasonal factor to outbreaks in domestic pigs, with 88% of outbreaks reported between July and October. This seasonal variation was more pronounced on smaller holdings.

In domestic pigs, 94% of outbreaks were detected through clinical suspicion, while 3% were detected by tracing animals from affected establishments, and a further 3% through testing of dead pigs.

No outbreaks were detected through the surveillance of healthy pigs at slaughter, before movement, or selected randomly.

ASF in wild boar

For wild boar, there was a 10% increase in the number of notified outbreaks in 2023 compared to 2022, but with considerable variation between countries. Poland saw the most outbreaks in wild boar, with 2,686 outbreaks.

A winter peak of wild boar cases was observed only in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, and the situation with respect to wild boar improved in Hungary and Germany, as suggested by the decrease in the number of outbreaks, and in the proportion of positive samples from dead wild boar.

31% of wild boar carcasses found through passive surveillance (found dead or road killed) tested positive, which represented 7.9% of wild boar samples tested and 69% of ASF outbreaks in wild boar in the EU last year.

Only a small proportion – 0.4% – of hunted wild boar tested positive, although they accounted for 92% of tested wild boar samples, and represented 31% of the outbreaks in wild boar.

Despite the introduction of ASF into new countries and the increase in the number of outbreaks, the EFSA said that the size of restricted zones remained stable, due to highly clustered outbreaks in Croatia and the reduction of restricted zones in Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria (for domestic pigs) and Hungary (for wild boar).

The total size of restricted zones in the EU for domestic pig outbreaks reduced by 4% last year, while the total size of restricted zones for wild boar outbreaks increased slightly.

The EFSA has recommended that passive surveillance, including the searching and testing of wild boar carcasses, be prioritised over active surveillance.

Passive surveillance, in particular noticing clinical signs of the disease, remains the main mode of detection for ASF in domestic pig establishments. Therefore, farmers and vets have a particularly important role to play, the authority said.

In October this year, the EFSA will deliver a scientific opinion revising the risk factors for the emergence, spread and persistence of the ASF virus in wild boar populations and domestic pigs.

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Agriland recently paid a visit to a multi-faceted farming operation based in Mullagh, Co. Cavan. John Smith is a dairy, beef and free-range chicken producer who merges the resources used for his three-seperate farming enterprises into one overall successful farming operation.

The farm encompasses approximately 145ha, with approximately 62ha of this leased. With the farm spanning across counties Cavan, Meath and Dublin, it is very much a fragmented farm and is uniquely managed to maximise efficiency.

John has a humble mantra for his impressive farm operation, saying: “Our system here is not idealistic or perfect, but we are always trying to make the best of what we have and run the farm as efficiently as we can.”

The farm is unique in that the management practices in each of the three systems on the farm may be unusual – looking solely at that system, but each system is managed in a way that benefits the other sectors for the benefit of the overall farm business.

For example, the land used for the free-range chicken enterprise on the farm is zero-grazed and fed to the dairy cows, which are housed year-round.

John explained: “Part of the criteria for free-range chickens is that the paddocks for the chickens must be maintained in a good condition but no other livestock are allowed on the paddocks.

“These fields could be topped and not utilised but we choose to cut it and feed it into a high-performing dairy herd that produce high-quality protein and fat to feed people out of that grass that would otherwise be wasted.”

As well as that, the fragmented nature of the farm makes grazing more difficult for the dairy herd.

The herd supplies its milk to Lakeland Dairies and is producing 540kg milk solids/cow/year, with an average fat content of 4.38% and an average protein content of 3.52%.

The average calving interval of the herd is 378 days, with a spring six-week calving interval of 83%.

John elaborated further on what he is aiming to achieve: “It’s about all the pieces of the system being efficient with no room for any of them to be inefficient. We maximise the output of the dairy herd, not just in terms of milk but beef also.

“We are trying to be efficient and more efficient all the time. We’re not happy where we’re at and we want to continue to improve.”

There are currently over 180 cows in the herd but John is working towards having a 160-cow herd.

He said: “We want to have 160 cows giving us X income and when we get to 160 cows, we don’t want to go to 180, we want to get to 140 but maintain X as the income. That’s the way we see it.”

The herd economic breeding index (EBI) is €175 and the 2022 inseminations had an EBI of €296. John is keen to improve his herd EBI but not overly at the expense of cow size as if his cows are too small, it will be at the expense of carcass weight in the beef enterprise.

John continued: “The ideal cow type for this farm is a cow weighing 650kg, producing 600kg of milk solids, calving once/year, producing a decent beef calf or replacement heifer, if her genetics allow.

“The dairy cow here has to tie in with the beef system. The dairy system ties in with poultry system and the poultry system ties in with the whole farm in that farm staff have year-round work and are skilled in all three areas of the farm.”

As well as John, there are three staff working on the farm. John said: “Our three staff Nikki, Valentine and Sammie are an integral part of the success of our farm and all three can work in each area as required.”

There is generally a 12% replacement rate in the dairy herd. Sexed semen is used to breed replacement heifers and the farm is achieving 60% conception rates to sexed semen.

Once replacement heifers have been bred, all other cows are bred to a beef bull with 100% of the calves produced on the farm bred from Artificial Insemination (AI).

Breeding

At breeding, cows are split into three categories. The top-performing dairy cows are crossed back to good dairy genetics with sexed semen used to breed replacements.

Smaller, crossbred cows in the herd that are not being used to breed replacements are crossed to an AI Belgian Blue bull and stronger Holstien cows are all bred to Angus bull Drumcrow Tribesman.

The Angus bull Drumcrow Tribesman (AA8172) was purchased by Certified Irish Angus, in partnership with Dovea Genetics in autumn 2021.

John’s brother Charles Smith heads up Certified Irish Angus and Charles is also involved in the management of the farm operation.

John said: “When we are picking the beef bull here, we are thinking of the progeny carcass value.

“Tribesman is a great bull for good cows and the bull has proven himself on this farm. There are plenty of other good bulls but he is a classical example of the bull we want to use.”

The aim is to produce a carcass grading O+3= weighing over 300kg.

John said: “We have very little calving difficulty here. 99% of the cows calve unassisted and while breeding is a factor, a strict dry cow diet is also important.

“It is essential to have cows in the correct condition in the lead up to and at calving while also monitoring mineral intakes.”

The farm nutritionist is Alan Hurst from Lakeland. Some of the calves are sold off-farm and some are retained for the beef system.

Heifers are generally slaughtered in November and bullocks are generally finished in December at 19-22-months-of-age.

In 2023, the average beefXdairy steer carcass weight on the farm was 309kg with an average grade of O+3=.

The cattle produced on the farm had an average slaughter age of 699 days, which is 123 days below the national average slaughter age.

John attributed this to using good genetics and careful management of the dairy-beef cattle at all stages of the rearing and finishing process.

He explained that by having his cattle for four months less than the average farmer, it is a huge financial saving for the farm but is also leading to a reduction of the emissions produced from the farm.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) output/kg carcass weight is 11.51kg CO2/kg carcass weight, which is 1.8kg below the national average and in the top 10% nationally.

All the prime cattle produced on the farm are slaughtered through the ABP Food Group’s Advantage Beef Programme, which offers a 20c/kg sustainability bonus on all eligible cattle.

New parlour

The farm recently installed a new milking parlour. The old parlour was a DeLaval 8 unit manual parlour and the new instillation is a 20 unit high-spec DeLavel parlour.

There are plenty of add-ons to the parlour but John was quick to affirm “there are no bells and whistles”. Everything on the new parlour is there as a necessity and has a purpose.

The new 20 unit swing-over parlour features Automatic Cluster Removers (ACR’s), and an auto ID system used for for the feed-to-yield as well.

Cows that have been treated with antibiotics can be added to the system and milk from these cows can not enter the bulk tank until after the withdrawal date. This milk goes through a dump line.

The new clusters are less than half the weight of the old clusters which is also a great help during milking and the silicone liners cause less slippage on cows than the old rubber liners.

Planning for the future, John hopes to further improve the efficiency and sustainability of the overall farm with a core focus on genetics, management and attention to detail.

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The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) has ruled out the presence of avian influenza (bird flu) in a flock of poultry in Monaghan.

A suspected case of bird flu in Co. Monaghan was reported to the department earlier this week and an investigation was immediately launched.

The premises in question was restricted while the investigation was ongoing.

DAFM has confirmed to Agriland that laboratory testing has now subsequently ruled out the presence of bird flu in the flock.

A spokesperson said: “The restrictions have now been lifted.”

Bird flu

HPAI bird flu was first identified in Ireland in November 2021 according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Since then there have been a number of cases in birds in Ireland. This has been part of a very large increase in the virus in Europe, the centre indicated.

Because avian influenza can pass from wild birds to poultry, it is recognised as a threat to Ireland’s domestic poultry flocks.

In the US, to verify the safety of meat in relation to bird flu, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is continuing studies to reaffirm consumer confidence.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that results from its testing of retail ground beef found supplies tested negative for a presence of avian influenza.

The FSIS collected 30 samples of ground beef from retail outlets in the states with dairy cattle herds that had tested positive for the H5N1 influenza virus at the time of sample collection. 

The USDA has stated that it is confident that the meat supply is safe.

It follows prior news from the US Food and Drink Administration (FDA), which confirmed that some pasteurised milk samples had “indicated the presence” of bird flu.

According to the FDA, pasteurisation is likely to inactivate the virus but the process is “not expected to remove the presence of viral particles”.

USDA, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, along with state partners are currently investigating an outbreak of the avian influenza virus detected in dairy cows in a number of states.

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Fines have been paid by a meat factory that breached carcass trim requirements in 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed.

A total of three fines were handed to the Dawn Meats abattoir facility in Grannagh, on the Waterford/Kilkenny border.

The DAFM has confirmed to Agriland that there were three carcasses with breaches of carcass trim requirement at Dawn Grannagh, which resulted in a total fine of €750 (three €250 fines).

The department also confirmed that the fine has been paid.

Authorised officers of the Department of Agriculture (Carcass Classification Division) carry out inspections in all 33 factories that operate Beef Carcass Classification

All carcass inspected for carcass classification are also inspected for carcass trim.

Details of each factory fined for breaches of carcass trim specification from 2016 to date can be found in the table below:

Between 2016-2020, eight factories were fined in relation to a total of 52 non-compliant carcasses.

They were: Kildare Chilling; Traditional Meats; Meadow Meats; Kepak Kilbeggan; Emerald Isle Foods; Kepak Clare; Kavanagh Meats; and Ballon Meats.

All fines that were issued to those meat factories have been paid, the DAFM confirmed.

During that time period, almost 237,000 carcasses were examined by inspectors.

The department did not detect any non-compliant carcasses in meat factories subject to inspections in 2021, 2022 or in 2023.

Last year in 2023, a total of 728 inspections took place across all factories resulting in checks on 64,346 carcasses.

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EU milk supply is expected to remain stable in 2024, while beef production is set to drop, according to a new report.

The European Commission’s spring edition of the short-term outlook for EU agricultural markets presents the latest trends and prospects for key sectors.

The report warns that the evolution of “geopolitical crises”, particularly in the Middle East, could impact on trade, prices and the overall economy which would place even more pressure on farmers.

The expectation of real economic growth in 2024 has been revised downwards due to falling household purchasing power, lower external demand and a partial withdrawal of fiscal support in 2023.

On the other hand, the commission said that inflation is expected to decline faster than previously predicted.

In terms of inputs, the report notes that energy costs dropped by 6% in the first three months of 2024 (Q1) compared to the previous quarter.

The cost of feed is down 1.5% and fertiliser prices were down 1%.

However, overall input prices remain largely above pre-Covid levels (32%) and up to 65% in the case of fertiliser.

The affordability of fertilisers has been improving as EU fertiliser production continues to recover.

Imports of nitrogen (N) fertiliser remain at historically high levels, but imports of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) decreased significantly, which could negatively impact overall soil fertility.

Dairy

The EU Commission is currently forecasting a slight increase (0.4%) in milk supply across the bloc, despite a continuing decline in the number of cows (-0.5% in 2024).

This assumption is based on “normal weather conditions”, raw milk prices remaining above historic levels (above 46 c/kg) and an increasing trend in EU milk yields.

The report noted that pasture conditions became “exceptionally difficult” in Ireland earlier this year.

The report states that EU cheese and whey production is likely to continue benefitting from higher milk solids availability and competitive prices, which could translate into a
further increase in exports.

A rise in milk powder exports is unlikely because of limited further growth potential in north Africa and the Middle East, while global competition may also increase.

Production of skim milk powder (SMP) is expected to remain stable, however domestic use could be impacted by the current surge in cocoa prices.

The report stated that butter exports could remain positive (+1.5%) based on competitive export prices.

The commission said that stabilising input and output prices could improve margins for dairy farmers in 2024, and EU dairy consumption could benefit from easing food inflation and remain stable overall.

Beef

EU beef production is expected to decrease by a further 2.3% in 2024, mainly due to “a continuing structural adjustment in the beef and dairy sector”.

EU beef production decreased in 2023 by 3.9%, which supported high prices. At the same time, the average carcass weight decreased by -0.6%.

Last year, beef production in Italy dropped by 17% (127,000t), while Ireland was back by 3.5%.

The December 2023 livestock survey, showed that the number of suckler cows in the EU declined for the fourth year in a row, by additional 160,000 head (-1.6%). Dairy cows recorded a decline of 344,000 head (-1.7%).

The number of male bovine cattle for slaughtering between 1 and 2 years, and above 2 years also decreased by -0.4% and -1.2% respectively.

However, the reported noted that “this lower beef supply could continue supporting EU beef producer prices”.

The expectation is that per capita beef consumption across the EU will drop by up to 3% this year.

Meanwhile, despite a slightly bigger sow herd, EU pigmeat production could go down slightly by -0.4% in 2024.

EU poultry production could benefit from a 1.7% growth this year, driven by positive market signals on both the supply and demand side.

The report said that the historically low EU sheep flock will reduce slaughterings by 4.9% in 2024.

Consumption is expected to suffer again this year (-3.5%) because of low availability and pressures from higher prices.

Crops

The report stated that 2024/25 EU cereal production could reach 278.5 million t (+3% year-on-year), which is 0.9% below the 5-year average.

This will be driven mainly by an expected increase in the area under maize, along with increasing yields of barley and durum wheat.

EU oilseed production in 2024/25 is expected to be at 33.2 million tonnes (+1.2% year-on-year), due to more cultivated area of soy beans, and an increase of rapeseed and sunflower yields.

The report noted that the the availability of protein crops in the EU could be historically high.

EU cereal prices continue to decline and are currently below the 5-year average, which will put additional strain on farmers’ margins.

2023/24 EU sugar production is estimated at 15.6 million tonnes, rebounding from the previous season and in line with the five-year average.

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Two Teagasc researchers have been awarded funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to further their work in the area of generational renewal and pig health.

Economist and senior research officer with the Teagasc Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department, Emma Dillion received funding for the GEN FARMS project under the DAFM’s Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call.

The project explores the interplay between gender, age and their influence on farm sustainability and innovation. One of its key goals is to assess the current involvement of women and younger people in Irish agriculture.

The influence of women and younger people on farm performance, including economic viability, investment and environmental sustainability will also be examined, as well as the role of gender and generational renewal in the uptake of new technologies.

Pig health

Under the same research call, principal research officer and head of the Pig Development Department at Teagasc, Edgar Manzanilla was awarded funding for research on estimating the animal health losses in the Irish pig sector.

This research will use the methodology of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases project, which is a recently launched initiative to establish a consistent framework for estimating the economic impact of animal disease.

The awarded funding is part of a wider announcement by Minister of State at the DAFM with special responsibility for research and development, Martin Heydon to award over €800,000 for six short-term projects.

The projects are focused on emerging policy and the strategic needs of the agri-food, forest and bio-economy sectors. The selected topics also include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water quality, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Meanwhile, Minister Heydon also announced the opening of the 2024 Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call. A total of 27 topics are available for researchers to apply to until the deadline for submissions on Thursday, June 6.

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One meat factory has been fined for breaching carcass trim specifications to-date in 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed.

 The Dawn Meats abattoir facility in Grannagh, on the Waterford/Kilkenny border has been fined this year for a breach of carcass trim specification.

It is the first factory to be fined for such a breach since Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow in 2020.

Details of each factory fined for breaches of carcass trim specification from 2016 to date can be found in the table below:

A DAFM spokesperson confirmed that since 2019, the department have invested significantly in training of veterinary public health staff on the requirements of the Regulation regarding carcase trim specification.

They added these staff have a “permanent presence in the factories” and their daily checks on carcass trimming amongst others, are in addition to the dedicated inspection checks conducted by staff involved in beef carcass classification.

Approximately 60,000 carcases are subject to dedicated inspection controls on carcass trim by department staff each year.

Factories found to breach regulations can be given an on-the-spot fine of €200.

The minister for agriculture can also serve a fixed-payment notice via which €250/carcass can be applied per offence.

Beef carcass weights

Average beef carcass weights fell slightly in 2023, according to latest figures from the DAFM.

According to the figures, the average steer carcass weight in 2023 was 347kg, back 3kg from the average steer carcass weight of 350kg in 2022.

The average heifer carcass weight in 2023 was 307kg, back 3kg from the average heifer carcass weight of 310kg in 2022.

The average cow carcass weight in 2023 was 294kg, back 5kg from the average cow carcass weight of 299kg in 2022.

The average young bull carcass weight in 2023 was 368kg, back 1kg from the average young bull carcass weight of 369kg in 2022.

The average bull carcass weight in 2023 was 443kg, back 3kg from from the average bull carcass weight of 446kg in 2022.

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Global pork production has returned to profitability after several months of herd contraction, according to a new report from Rabobank.

The report shows a dip in consumption in key Asian markets during the first quarter of the year, however pork continues to maintain its position as a cost-effective protein choice for consumers worldwide.

Higher global stocks of grains and oilseeds have resulted in lower feed costs for producers, helping to boost the industry.

Better herd health in the US, Canada and China is also helping to stabilise production.

Senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank, Christine McCracken said that meaningful growth in the breeding herd is not anticipated until late 2024 or early 2025.

The report stated that return to growth in the breeding herd is unlikely before late 2024 or early 2025, and pork supplies are likely to remain constrained in the coming months.

“This is particularly significant in light of rising beef prices. The trend toward frozen products and home cooking is expected to continue bolstering retail pork sales, with a projected uptick in value-added and processed meat sales as inflation rates peak,” McCracken said.

Europe

In Europe, pork production increased by 4% in January this year compared to the same period in 2023.

This reflects a recovery in production after the holidays rather than a strong increase in the number of slaughter animals, according to Rabobank.

Pork production was up year-on-year in Poland by 18%, Spain by 7%, France by 6% and Germany by 5%. Production in the Netherlands and Italy was flat.

In Denmark and the UK, production decreased by 15% and 1%, respectively.

Managing disease pressure, such as African Swine Fever (ASF) in some countries and Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) in Spain, will be a “key factor” for determining production development, according to Rabobank.

Although pig prices are trending lower compared with year-ago levels, down 6% year-on-year in week 12 of 2024, Rabobank expects prices to rise further this year as supply remains tight.

Piglet prices have been exceeding the prior year’s levels, up 3% year-on-year in week 12, but Rabobank expects seasonal decline later this quarter.

Pork exports

Structural declines in Europe pork production and reduced import demand have left a significant hole in global export markets that is quickly being filled by competing nations, mainly North and South America.

Structural changes to production in Europe have prioritised domestic markets at the expense of exports.

Since forfeiting 7% of global pork export market shares since 2020, the EU now accounts for less than 40% of total global exports.

On a whole muscle basis, the US is set to overtake the EU in annual pork export volume, while Brazillian pork exports will outpace those from Canada.

Rabobank expects a slight rebound in pork exports in 2024 driven by the stablisation in production.

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By Chris McCullough

In an idyllic region of southern Spain seemingly unaffected as yet by climate change, a special breed of pigs roam the open countryside producing one of the world’s most famous meats.

These are Iberian pigs which are renowned for their outdoor lifestyles munching through hundreds of acorns that gives their special Jamon Iberico de Bellota its intense flavour.

Not only is this meat tasty, it brings with it some health properties due to its beneficial fat content, and it is protected under quality regulations.

The ham’s high proportion of oleic acid, around 63%, is a mono-unsaturated fatty acid that increases ‘good’ cholesterol and reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.

This type of farming is a tradition that has been followed for decades with many generations of Spanish farming families perfecting their very own pig genetics over time.

One of those farmers, 64-year-old Fernando Adell, not only rears Iberian pigs, he also owns the family business, the Dehesa de Campo Alta processing facility in the north of the Cordoba province, close to Espiel.

On his farm, only 15 minutes from the processing unit, Fernando runs 400 pigs across 700ha that enjoy a long healthy life before being slaughtered at 18- to 24-months-old.

Their meat is then matured for up to four years in salt before it is harvested by a master carver into the speciality ham.

Fernando said: “Our pigs enjoy a long life here in the Dehesa [Mediterranean forest], with the highest standards of animal welfare.

“They roam the open countryside eating acorns from the oak trees for their final three months before being slaughtered at 18- to 24-months.

“During this special feeding period, known as La Montanera, the pigs can eat up to 10kg of acorns per day, also eating the flowers and herbs in our pastures.”

Several generations of the Adell family have helped shape farming in the region, which has now culminated in the Dehesa de Campo Alto processing business.

Fernando, as did his predecessors, has perfected breeding and rearing the Iberian pigs, to such an extent he is recognised as an expert on them and the ham.

His pigs start their journey on another of his farms, before being weaned at three-months-old to start their fattening process.

Fernando is very proud of his full cycle business following the pigs through from birth to slaughter, and processing.

He said: “We receive around €600 for each pig prior to slaughter at 160kg to 190kg liveweight. The legs of ham themselves can sell for much higher prices, but the cost of butchery and carving the ham is also quite high.”

Within the closed production cycle of Iberian pigs, the key aim is to maintain production within a limited geographical area, preventing the entry and exit of animals from other areas.

This is achieved through breeding on the farm itself and the use of the natural resources of the pasture, such as acorns and other available foods.

Iberian region

This region where Fernando farms is covered by a Protected Designation of Origin Los Pedroches (PDO), which endorses the hard work the 700 farmers registered members endure to produce the meat.

Fernando said: “Our oak trees have graced this region for over 250 years and provide huge crops of acorns each year. We are based in a rather unique ecosystem here which remains unaffected by climate change.

“The pigs have plenty of space to roam on our farm, normally at a stocking rate of one pig per three hectares.

“Our pigs gain around 40% of their final weight, around 60kg liveweight, during the Montanera period,” he added.

Fernando explained that the region is also free from African Swine Fever and has been so since the 1980s and 1990s.

“Rearing the Iberian pigs within a closed cycle helps us stay free from disease,” he continued.

“Our region’s borders are also well protected against any movements of wild boars entering with any disease threats.”

Iberian pork

Dehesa de Campo Alto is one of the top producers of Iberian pork products, which is a result of the farm’s traceability, feeding system and high quality meat.

Fernando said: “Thanks to our first class raw materials and pigs bred freely since they are born, the traceability and control of every production process are a safe and excellent investment in the future.

“In fact, our only main challenge here on the farm is protecting our traditions and keeping our production systems the way they are, the same they have been for years.”

After slaughter, the attention to detail, together with a great deal of patience, are the ingredients that give the ham its superior flavour.

Each piece of ham is distinguished by its intense red colour and leanness caused by a high rate of myoglobin and a white or pinkish fat that should yellow at its edges due to its slow maturation process.

Watching the official master carver Juan Angel Pulido from Dehesa de Campo Alto at work is truly a form of art as he carefully carves each slice and places it on the serving dish.

Juan has spent many years perfecting his art and takes great pride when carving every individual slice.

He said: “It takes a lot of skill to rear the pig to slaughter and even more skill to professionally carve the hams. Our presentation of the hams to the customer is the final and one of the most important stages of the meat’s production cycle.”

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched an action-oriented, country-focused initiative to reduce the need for antimicrobials on farms.

It comes amid the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sector, impacting animal health, plants and the environment and causing significant economic losses to farmers across the globe.

FAO director-general QU Dongyu said: “The persistent use of antimicrobials in livestock production is concerning for human health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

“We must explore innovative pathways to curb the use of antimicrobials and promote sustainable practices that safeguard public health and our planet’s well-being, while improving livestock productivity.

Policy support to reduce antimicrobials

The RENOFARM initiative aims to provide countries with policy support, technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

This is aimed at helping reduce the need for antimicrobials in livestock production, prioritising animal health and welfare, mitigating environmental impact, and enhancing food security and nutrition.

Working together with governments, farmers, private sector and civil society organisations and other actors, it will promote the ‘5 Gs’ at the farm level.

These are: Good Health Services; Good Production Practices; Good Alternatives; Good Connections; and Good Incentives.

FAO’s goal is to implement the initiative in more than 100 countries.

Pilot

RENOFARM is already being piloted in the poultry sector in Indonesia’s Lampung province with the support of government agencies and other local stakeholders.

Other pilots are underway in Uganda and Nigeria.

In Indonesia, a Farmers’ Field School (FFS), focusing on empowering farmers at the community level, is being set up under the project to build farmers’ capacity and awareness on AMR control.

Training materials are updated based on local experience and best practices with 20 facilitators trained and the concepts trialled with around 20 local poultry farmers.

A focus group discussion held as part of the initiative showed that broiler chicken farms in Lampung Province have experienced improvements in livestock management practices, with the transition to a semi-closed cage system.

This has had a positive impact on biosecurity practices and efforts to reduce antimicrobial use.

However, antibiotic programmes for chicks are still being carried out due to concerns about the quality of chicks and farmer discipline regarding biosecurity.

Actionable steps

At the end of September, FAO will also host the first-ever Global Conference on Animal Health Innovation, Reference Centres and Vaccines.

Its aim will be to share insights, exchange experiences and identify concrete actions to improve animal health, combat antimicrobial resistance and promote sustainable livestock transformation.

AMR is a global threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment, according to the FAO.

Reducing the need for antimicrobials and limiting the emergence of resistant pathogens is critical to maintaining the world’s ability to treat human, animal and plant diseases, reduce food safety and security risks and protect the environment.

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Authorities in the US have confirmed viral fragments of avian influenza – or bird flu – in one-in-five samples of commercial milk.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that it had received some initial results from its nationally-representative commercial milk sampling supply.

It had confirmed last week that it was carrying out this sampling after confirming the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in some pasteurised milk samples, which came after the virus was confirmed in dairy cattle on some farms.

Initial results from this testing show that around 20% of the 297 samples tested positive for bird flu viral fragments through quantitative PCR (qPCR) tests, with a greater proportion of positive results coming from areas with infected herds.

The FDA said it continuing to analyse the results of the sampling.

The FDA reiterated that a positive qPCR test does not necessarily represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers.

Additional testing is required to determine whether intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, which would help make a determination if there was any risk of illness associated with consuming the product, the FDA said.

Meanwhile, investigations funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicate an absence of infectious virus in retail milk.

The FDA said the results do not provide a reason to change its assessment that the commercial milk supply in the US is safe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown no increase in human cases of flu and no cases of bird flu specifically, beyond the one known case of an individual who was in contact with an infected dairy herd.

Last week, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a federal order making it mandatory to test dairy cows before interstate transfer (transfer between US states) to protect the industry from highly-pathogenic bird flu.

Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for influenza ‘A’ virus (the pathogen that causes bird flu) from an approved laboratory.

Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for the pathogen will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.

These steps are required immediately for lactating dairy cattle, while the requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

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To protect the US livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a federal order to make it mandatory to test dairy cows before interstate transfer.

Last month, USDA confirmed that bird flu had been detected in sick cattle on two dairy farms.

Unpasteurised, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, tested positive for the strain of bird flu.

Then this week, the US Food and Drink Administration (FDA) confirmed that some pasteurised milk samples have “indicated the presence” of bird flu.

According to the FDA, pasteurisation is likely to inactivate the bird flu virus but the process is “not expected to remove the presence of viral particles”.

Bird flu tests for dairy cows

USDA has outlined a number of actions that it is taking with its federal partners to help get ahead of the disease and limit its spread.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a federal order requiring various measures to be undertaken including mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle.

Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.

Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.

Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.

These steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

Mandatory reporting

USDA has said that laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results in livestock to APHIS.

Laboratories and state veterinarians must also report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to APHIS.

USDA has identified spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements, and cows without clinical signs that have tested positive.

On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted further analysis of the specimen sequence, which did not change their overall risk assessment for the general public, because the substitution has been seen previously in other mammalian infections and does not impact viral transmission.

Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and did not enter the food supply.

The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action, USDA stated.

In a statement, USDA said: “While we are taking this action today, it is important to remember that thus far, we have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people.

“While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, our partners at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that the current risk to the public remains low.”

USDA also added that affected cows recover after supported care with little to no associated mortality.

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The number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland rose by 1.7% in the first quarter of this year when compared with corresponding figures for 2023 according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Cattle slaughterings from January to March were estimated to be more than 483,000 head – a jump of more than 8,000 head compared to the same period in 2023.

But while there was an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered in the first quarter there was a decline in both sheep and pig slaughterings in the first three months of the year, latest figures show.

Sheep slaughterings fell by around 13,000 head (1.7%) to just under 748,500 head in the first quarter of the year when compared with the same three months in 2023.

Pig slaughterings were also estimated to drop to just under 836,000 head for January to March 2024, down nearly 14,000 heads (1.6%) on the same period in 2023.

The latest CSO statistics are based on figures from slaughterings at both meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities.

CSO

According to Mairead Griffin, statistician in the CSO agriculture accounts and production section, specific figures for the month of March 2024 highlight a trend in relation to overall slaughter numbers.

“Cattle slaughterings dropped by 7.4% to just over 153,000 head in March 2024 when compared with March 2023.

“During the same period, the number of sheep slaughtered fell by 5.5% to approximately 271,000 head, while pig slaughterings were down by 8.2% to almost 274,000 head,” she outlined.

Bord Bia

Meanwhile latest figures from Bord Bia show that there were 34,425 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending April, 13 2024 – which takes throughput for the year so far to 529,442 head.

This represents a 14,293  head or 11% increase on the corresponding period for 2023 when a total of 515,149 cattle were processed. 

According to Bord Bia there have been 375,573 prime cattle processed in the first 15 weeks of 2024 which is a 3% increase – 10,960 head – from the same period last year

“Cow throughput has remained strong with 130,494 cows processed so far this year, a notable increase of 16,527 head (13%),” it detailed.

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The US Food and Drink Administration (FDA) has confirmed that some pasteurised milk samples have “indicated the presence” of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

According to the FDA, pasteurisation is likely to inactivate the bird flu virus but the process is “not expected to remove the presence of viral particles”.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state partners are currently investigating an outbreak of the bird flu virus detected in dairy cows in a number of states.

Earlier this month, the CDC confirmed that a person in the US who had contact with dairy cattle in Texas infected with bird flu had has also tested positive for the virus.

The individual reported eye redness as their only symptom and the CDC has said the risk to the general public remains low.

The FDA and USDA have both stressed that based on the information currently available, commercial milk supply in the US is safe because of “the pasteurization process and the diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows”.

The FDA highlighted this week that it has been “evaluating milk from affected animals”, in the processing system, and on the shelves.

“We are completing a large representative national sample, to better understand the extent of these findings.

“To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the organisation stated.

It added that because the detection of the virus in dairy cows is a “novel and evolving situation” no studies on the effects of pasteurisation on HPAI viruses (such as H5N1) in “bovine milk have previously been completed although considerable scientific literature is available that has informed our current understanding”.

Bird flu

Meanwhile the CDC has indicated that its latest research suggests that the bird flu virus is “susceptible” to antiviral medications used for seasonal flu such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir.

It said laboratory investigations are continuing “to better characterise  the virus from the human case in Texas”.

The CDC has warned that the wide geographic spread of bird flu viruses in wild birds, poultry, and some other mammals, including in cows, is “creating additional opportunities for people to be exposed to these viruses”.

It added: “Therefore, there could be an increase in sporadic human infections resulting from bird, cattle, and other animal exposures, even if the risk of these viruses spreading to people has not increased”.

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Awareness among farmers and operators in the agri-food supply chain of unfair trading practices (UTPs) is “still too low”, according to a new report from the European Commission.

The commission said that its report on the implementation of the directive on UTPs – which became law in all EU member states in mid-2021 – was one of the commitments in response to farmer protests around Europe earlier this year.

The report is based on a survey targeting farmers and agri-food operators in the EU that was carried out by the commission between late February and mid-March.

The report outlines some “areas for improvement”, especially around awareness, with only 38% of respondents saying they were aware of the existence of EU rules on UTPs.

Furthermore, a majority of respondents (57%) said they did not know about their country’s national enforcement authority (which, in the case of Ireland, is An Rialálaí Agraibhia/The Agri-Food Regulator).

Notably, 30% of respondents said that fear of some sort of retaliation from buyers prevented them from reporting on UTPs that they were on the receiving end of.

As well as that, 23% of respondents said they did not report UTPs because they believed that the UTP in question was standard practice in the sector; while 17% of respondents did not report UTPs because they felt the relevant national enforcement authority would not be able to handle it.

The report also says that proper cross-border enforcement of UTPs across member states “still faces too many hurdles”, despite the existence of the UTP Enforcement Network, which the commission established to bring together representatives of the various national enforcement authorities.

On foot of this new report, the commission said it will propose new rules on cross-border enforcement against UTPs.

The directive on unfair trading practices prohibits 16 practices in the agri-food supply chain, as follows:

• 10 ‘black’ UTPs (prohibited in all circumstances):
  • Payment later than 30 days for perishable goods;
  • Payment later than 60 days for non-perishable goods;
  • Short-notice cancellation of purchase of perishable goods;
  • Unilateral contract changes by buyer;
  • Payment for unrelated services;
  • Risk of loss and deterioration transferred to supplier;
  • Refusal of a written confirmation of supply agreements by buyer;
  • Misuse of trade secrets by buyer;
  • Commercial retaliation by buyer;
  • Transferring cost of examining consumer complaints to supplier;
• Six ‘grey’ UTPs (prohibited except where clearly agreed between supplier and buyer):
  • Buyer returning unsold products to supplier;
  • Supplier paying for stocking, display, and listing;
  • Supplier paying for promotion;
  • Supplier paying for advertising;
  • Supplier paying for marketing;
  • Supplier paying for buyer’s staff or fitting out of premises.

The report found that a large majority of member states have adopted a higher level of protection, making use of the possibility to adopt or maintain national rules that go beyond the practices banned by the directive.

National enforcement authorities have been designated in all EU countries. In 2023, around 1,500 investigations were opened by these authorities, of which about 17% resulted in a finding of infringement and the issuance of a fine to the offending party.

The most frequently-detected UTPs last year were late payments for perishable goods, and late payment for non-perishable goods, with 50% and 13% of respondents respectively reporting that they have experienced these infringements.

About 41% of UTPs detected in 2023 were detected at retail level, 36% at the level of food industry, and 22% at the level of wholesale trade.

The commission said this new report will help inform the evaluation of the implementation of the UTP directive. This evaluation will take place in 2025, and will, if appropriate, be accompanied by legislative proposals.

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Producer prices for dairy products fell back by 23.7% over the 12-month period to March 2024, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The wholesale price index for 2024 shows that for food products overall, producer prices fell by 9.1% in that 12-month period.

Apart from the decrease for dairy products, a slight decrease of 0.3% was also noted for meat and meat products in that period.

Decreases in producer prices were also recorded for vegetable and animal oils and fats (down 6%) and grain milling, starches and animal feeds (down 6.8%).

Some products saw increases in producer prices, including fish and fish products (up 7.1%), while bakery products increased very slightly by 0.3% in the 12-month reference period.

Producer prices for fruit and vegetable products were unchanged, while other food products, which weren’t categorised with any of the above, decreased by 11.5%.

The producer price index for beverages increased by 8.9%, while the index for wood and wood products fell by 10.5%.

Outside of the agri-food and forestry sectors, wholesale electricity prices were down 40.3% annually from March 2023 to March 2024, and down 70.4% over two years compared to March 2022.

The overall energy index decreased by 31.9% when compared to March 2023.

This is despite increases in prices of fuel (petrol, autodiesel, gas oil, and fuel oil) of between 2.3% and 8.9%.

Wholesale prices for construction products saw a slight decrease of 0.3% over the 12 months to March, with a wide range of decreases and increases in the relevant sub-categories; for example, prices for stone, sand, and gravel increased by 12.5% in that period, but prices for treated timber decreased by 31.6%.

In terms of capital goods, prices for such goods used in agriculture and industry increased by 4.3%, and prices of transportable capital for use in agriculture increased by 3.1% from March 2023 to March 2024.

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The sustainability of the Irish pig sector and how it has performed up to this point was commended by those in the industry recently.

It was a key aspect of the Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) Symposium held yesterday (Tuesday, April 16) at the Curragh Racecourse Exhibition Hall in Co. Kildare.

Professor of monogastric nutrition, John O’Doherty said at the symposium that “we often think at the moment, the only sustainability pillar is the environment”.

“But, there is an economic sustainability figure, and there is also a social impact pillar as well,” he said.

He said people also call them the three P’s: planet, profit, and people.

Prior to 1990, prof. O’Doherty said “the only pillar that was important was the economic pillar”.

He added the social pillar “was less relevant”, and that the environmental pillar “wasn’t all that relevant”.

“Currently, we are seeing the three pillars are important. I have no doubt, that into the future, one of the most important pillars will be the social pillar,” he added.

Prof. O’Doherty said: “We have seen a change on what is needed for environmental sustainability. But the pig industry has been at the forefront of this for years.”

He said issues around nitrogen excretion, the use of non-renewable resources, phosphorus eutrophication, high levels of ammonia on pig farms were being dealt with on Irish pig farms.

Prof. O’Doherty referred to “new nutritional concepts,” where farmers are now talking about “digesting net energy, rather than digestible energy, digestible phosphorus, rather than total phosphorous”.

He said there are “fantastic nutrition models out there in terms of people able to predict animal performance, and then being more precise in the diet of diet we feed them”.

By reducing crude protein levels from 21% to 15% in feed, prof. O’Doherty said this “phenomenal reduction” has proved to reduce the level of nitrogen excretion by 34% without affecting pig performance.

“We have been very very good around that sustainability issue, and I think we should be shouting it from the rafters about what we have done over the last 10 years because it is not known in certain quarters.”

Prof. O’Doherty acknowledged that “the main criteria for economic sustainability is profitability” but he said this can fluctuate due to high pig and feed prices.

He referred to “periods of economic crises,” that included African swine fever, which increased prices, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which increased feed costs.

“This time two years ago farmers were losing 36c/kg. On an 89kg pig carcass, they were losing €32/pig.”

Prof. O’Doherty said: “Economic sustainability in pig production is not just about the immediate profits, but it also involves a longer term strategy.

“We’ve got to consider collaboration along the supply chain. We need much more collaboration across producers, supermarkets, processers, so that this will never happen again,” he added.

Social sustainability

Prof. O’Doherty spoke on the social pillar that is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the pig sector, and he said engagement with consumers is key to this.

“Customers and consumers are concerned about the environmental, animal welfare, and the health impacts associated with modern agriculture.

“Pig producers need to maintain and enhance customers and consumers trust that we are production food that offers healthy choices for the consumers.

Prof. O’Doherty offered his thoughts on what the future requirements of the pig sector towards sustainability would be, and if the industry would have to adapt to change.

“If we look at the future of pig production systems, and what will be the key drivers of change, we’ll see environmental change. We’ll see a change in regulation around excretion, emissions, changing your feed composition. But we have done it.

“I think our biggest problem is getting land to be able spread slurry.”

Important factors that will impact the social sustainability of the sector, according to Prof. O’Doherty include the increased social demand from consumers around organic food, feed sourced without deforestation, and without genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

An additional concern for the sector is on the future of who will produce pigmeat in the country.

Prof. O’Doherty said: “No one thinks about the next generation. In order to feed the world, we need the next generation to get involved.

“We’ve heard so much about farmers that aren’t willing to take up the farm. That for me is a really big social problem.”

On the current work undertaken by the Irish pig sector, Prof. O’Doherty provided the following comments.

“We’re producing safe food with a low carbon footprint. We’re protecting and promoting animal wellbeing. There might be a few outliers, but 99.9% are doing that.”

He added the sector is “ensuring practices to protect public health,” providing a “safe work environment,” and “safeguarding natural resources”.

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Ireland reported a 1.8% increase in prices for meat in February 2024, compared with the same month last year, Eurostat has revealed.

In February 2024, most European Union (EU) countries reported an increase in prices for meat, compared with February 2023.

The highest increase was recorded in Bulgaria (8.2%), followed by Romania (7.7%) and Croatia (7.1%).

However, prices in Ireland increased by 1.8%, while in contrast, three countries recorded a decrease in the prices for meat: Czechia (-5.1%), Finland (-2.2%) and Denmark (-0.6%).

In February 2024, the price of meat in the EU was 3.3% higher than in February 2023. Pork meat recorded the highest increase at 5.7%, ahead of lamb and goat (+4.5%) and beef and veal (+3%).

Poultry, in contrast, registered a decrease of 1.6% compared with February 2023.

Over the past three years, the annual inflation rates for meat were the highest between April 2022 and March 2023, with annual rates of change above 10%.

The highest rate was registered in February 2023 when the price was 17.3% higher than in February 2022. 

The annual increase in the prices of beef, veal, lamb and goat remained below 15% during the past three years.

Meanwhile, France is expected to retain its top position as the largest beef producer in the EU in 2024 ahead of Germany, Spain and Ireland, according to latest projections published by Eurostat.

But, overall according to the latest statistics there will be a slight decrease in beef production in general in the EU this year.

According to Eurostat the production of bovine animals is forecast to hit 12.1m head in the second semester of 2024.

But this would represent a decrease of 1% compared with the same period in 2023 when 12.2m head of animals were produced.

France is expected to produce 2.7m head, ahead of Germany (2m head), Spain (1.3m head) and Ireland (1m head).

Malta (2,000 head), Cyprus (10,000 head), Luxembourg (32,000 head) and Croatia (41,000 head) are expected to have the smallest production.

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The largest producer and distributor of fresh eggs in the United States has been forced to destroy 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets because of an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu).

Cal-Maine Foods also confirmed that it has “temporarily ceased” production at one of its Texas based facilities after it “tested positive” for the virus.

The company said it had culled approximately 3.6% of its total flock as it followed the protocols set out by the  US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in relation to an outbreak of bird flu.

In a statement it said:” Cal-Maine Foods is working to secure production from other facilities to minimize disruption to its customers.

“The company remains dedicated to robust biosecurity programs across its locations.”

Bird flu

However it also warned that no farm is “immune” to bird flu.

It has highlighted that according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the human health risk to the public from associated viruses “is considered to be low”.

Cal-Maine Foods also said that US authorities believe that the virus “cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs”.

The company has said that it is currently working closely “with federal, state and local government officials and focused industry groups to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks and effectively manage the response”.

The outbreak at Cal-Maine Foods’ facility in Parmer County, Texas, comes in the same week that the CDC confirmed that a person who had contact with dairy cattle in Texas infected with bird flu had also tested positive.

The USDA confirmed last week (March 26) that the virus had been detected in sick cattle in two dairy herds in Texas and two dairy herds in Kansas.

However yesterday (Tuesday, April 2) the department said that bird flu had also been detected in a dairy herd in Idaho – the first known case of bird flu in Idaho.

To date the USDA has confirmed the detection of the virus in dairy herds in Texas (7) Kansas (2), Michigan (1), and New Mexico (1). 

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The UK government has self-declared “zonal freedom” from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu).

The UK does not currently have outbreaks of bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, and the current risk to poultry from bird flu in Great Britain has been assessed as low.

The UK declaration is being reviewed and will be published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) shortly.

However, the UK government said the disease continues to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe.

In the UK, the following number of cases of bird flu have been confirmed since October 1, 2023:

• Four cases in England;
• Two cases in Scotland;
• No cases in Wales;
• No cases in Northern Ireland.

Since the start of the major outbreak of bird flu in October of 2021, 298 cases of bird flu have been confirmed in England.

51 were confirmed in Scotland since October 2021, 15 in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland.

The UK government said keepers should remain vigilant and practice stringent biosecurity to protect the health and welfare of their birds.

Future outbreaks

New measures to better protect the UK poultry sector from future bird flu outbreaks were announced by the UK government on March 19.

Under the changes, there are new requirements for all bird keepers, regardless of the size of their flock, to officially register their birds.

Before this, only those who kept 50 or more poultry had to do so, which limited “the effectiveness of our national disease control measures”, the government said.

By registering their birds, keepers will ensure they receive updates relevant to them, such as on any local bird flu outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks.

UK chief veterinary officer (CVO) Christine Middlemiss said: “These new rules will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain, making it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease.

“This information will be vital in helping to inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

Scotland’s CVO, Sheila Voas, said the changes to bird registration are a “necessary step” to help protect the health of kept birds and the general public from future avian influenza risks.

“We have faced challenges during previous outbreaks in clearly communicating the changes in both risk and mandatory biosecurity requirements to bird keepers, particularly smallholders and backyard keepers,” she said.

“This approach will enable us all to be better prepared and protected against a future pandemic.”

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Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tonnes (BMT), a slight decrease of 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) — or 0.2% — from 2022’s estimates.

That’s according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook, released today (Tuesday, April 2) by Alltech.

The annual survey, now in its 13^th year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills.

The overall lower demand for feed was due, in part, to the more efficient use of feed, according to Alltech.

This was made possible by intensive production systems that focus on using animal nutrition, farm management and other technologies to lower feed intake while producing the same amount of protein, or more.

A slowdown in the overall production of animal protein, in response to tight margins experienced by many feed and animal protein companies, also contributed to lower feed demand, the publication states.

Changing consumption patterns caused by inflation and dietary trends, higher production costs and geopolitical tensions also influenced feed production in 2023, according to Alltech.

Top 10 feed-producing countries

The top 10 feed-producing countries are:

• China (262.71 MMT, +0.76%);
• The US (238.09 MMT, ‑1.13%);
• Brazil (83.32 MMT, +1.84%);
• India (52.83 MMT, +13.43%);
• Mexico (40.42 MMT, +0.02%);
• Russia (35.46 MMT, +3.83%);
• Spain (27.53 MMT, -11.88%);
• Vietnam (24.15 MMT, -9.63%);
• Japan (23.94 MMT, -1.15%);
• Turkey (23.37 MMT, -11.48%).

Together, the top 10 countries produced 63.1% of the world’s feed production (same as in 2022), and almost half of the world’s global feed production is concentrated in four countries – China, the US, Brazil and India.

Outlook for feed sectors

Poultry experienced an increase in broiler feed production (385.04 MMT, +13.10 MMT, +3.5%) and remained steady with a slight increase for layers.

Broiler feed now accounts for 29.9% of the total feed tonnage in the world thanks to a 3.5% increase in overall tonnage in 2023.

While this growth was not uniform across all regions, the poultry sector is poised to keep holding strong in 2024 thanks to a combination of regional successes and global market dynamics.

Some of the biggest factors that will contribute to the resilience of the broiler sector include reduced costs for inputs, such as feed and energy, and increases in margins and profitability.

For layers, there are industry-wide efforts to optimise feed efficiency and to keep pace with changing dietary trends and new purchasing power.

Some markets around the globe were significantly impacted by macroeconomic challenges and disease outbreaks, which can disrupt production cycles.

Still, the general outlook for the layer industry remains positive thanks to its resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, when other protein sectors often struggle to adapt, according to the Alltech report.

The global pig feed production sector faced many challenges in 2023, which led to an overall decrease in pig feed production of 1.23% (320.80 MMT, -4.01 MMT).

Latin America stood out as the only region that achieved an increase in pig feed production in 2023, while Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America — which have traditionally been the top pig-feed-producing regions in the world — all faced challenges.

African swine fever (ASF) continues to wreak havoc on pig production in China and Southeast Asia, where repopulation efforts are slowly proceeding, according to Alltech.

The trends highlight the complex relationship between economic factors, supply dynamics and disease management in the global pig feed industry.

Addressing these challenges will be crucial for sustaining animal agriculture and ensuring food security, according to the report.

Dairy feed tonnage decreased by 2.3% (126.23 MMT, -2.28%), primarily due to the high cost of feed combined with low milk prices, which led farmers to make strategic adjustments that included reducing their cow numbers and/or relying more on non-commercial feed sources.

In Europe, dairy producers will continue to grapple with stricter environmental policies in the years ahead, and they will need to find new ways to continue growing, the report has outlined.

Asia-Pacific managed to buck the downward trend and emerged as the only region that increased its dairy feed tonnage in 2023.

This growth was fuelled by a continued increase in the consumption of milk products there, as well as an expansion of feed production in cooperatives.

This shift reflects the delicate balance between economic factors and the need to sustain dairy production. Lower feed costs and higher milk prices would help right the ship, the Alltech outlook stated.

Beef feed production decreased by 4.36% (117.49 MMT, -5.35 MMT) globally – the most pronounced downward change among all species sectors last year.

Changes in cattle cycles in the US and stricter sustainability policies in Europe had major impacts, with the Asia-Pacific beef sector notably surpassing Europe’s in 2023.

The substantial decline in North America was the result of lingering droughts and high production costs, among other issues.

While the European and North American beef industries are expected to continue declining in 2024, growth is expected in China, Brazil and Australia.

Feed production regional results

North America saw a decrease of 2.8 MMT (259.26 MMT, -1.1%), with beef feed tonnage down significantly, according to Alltech.

The pig and dairy sectors also slipped slightly, but the broiler, layer and pet sectors more than made up the difference. Feed tonnage in the broiler sector was up nearly 2.9%.

Latin America experienced growth in 2023 by 2.46 MMT (200.67 MMT, +1.24%).

Despite high production costs, geopolitical tensions and changing consumer behaviour due to economic reasons, the region continues to lead global growth, mainly because of its export-driven aquaculture, poultry and pork markets.

Europe continued its downward trend in feed production, with a decrease of 10.07 MMT (253.19 MMT, -3.82%) due to issues that included the invasion in Ukraine and the spread of animal diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (bird flu).

Asia-Pacific led feed production growth in 2023, with an increase of 6.54 MMT (475.33 MMT, +1.4%). Feed production growth in the region’s ruminant sectors offset a setback in the aqua sector.

The region is home to several of the top 10 feed-producing countries, including China, India, Vietnam and Japan.

Alltech worked together with feed mills and industry and government entities around the world to compile data and insights to provide an assessment of feed production each year.

Compound feed production and prices were collected by Alltech’s global sales team in partnership with local feed associations in the first quarter of 2024.

The figures are estimates and are intended to serve as an information resource for industry stakeholders.

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Kildare-based Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary has emerged as a winner in the first special draw of the 2024 Movement for Good Awards, receiving €5,000.

The charity has been operating since 2011. It specialises in rescuing and rehoming commercial egg-laying hens that are due to be culled.

Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland and its parent company Benefact Group, are giving away over one million to help charities change lives for the better through the 2024 awards.

Across the UK and Ireland, €370,000 is being donated in €1,000 grants throughout the year. €250,000 is being given away in €5,000 special grants, and up to €500,000 is being provided in larger amounts over the course of the year.

Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary is a voluntary-based charity that provides sanctuary for unwanted abandoned animals and birds through rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming whenever possible.

The 2024 Movement for Good Awards opened nominations in January, offering charities a €1,000 boost.

With over €5 million donated since its inception in 2019, the initiative remains steadfast in supporting various causes and making a positive impact.

In addition to the general grants, specific sectors receive €5,000 allocations through special draws.

Having celebrated the victory of Kildare’s Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary in the first special draw of the year, attention now turns to the upcoming special draw, dedicated to charities supporting health sector.

Nominations will be open for just one week from April 22 to April 26.

David Lane, managing director of Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland, part of the Benefact Group, said he was delighted to see Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary announced as the winner of the animal special draw category of Movement for Good in Ireland.

“Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary is an amazing organisation which continues to serve the Kildare area by rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned animals and birds,” he said.

“Through the Movement for Good Awards, we work to provide organisations like Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary with the support necessary to continue impacting positive change.

“This is a year-round campaign, and we are looking to encourage more charities to get involved and avail of this opportunity. Remember it is easy to nominate a cause close to your heart, just visit the Movement for Good website and cast your vote.” 

Scott Hayes, head of relationship management at Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland, recently visited the Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary and met with the charity’s founder, Susan Anderson and volunteers Freda French and Nikki Good.

“In visiting Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, I was deeply impressed by the diverse range of animals under their care, and the dedication of Susan in managing daily operations.

“The recent Movement for Good win will significantly bolster their ongoing efforts in animal welfare, aiding in crucial expenses such as animal feed, veterinary care, and facility maintenance. It’s inspiring to witness the impact of their work first-hand,” said Scott. 

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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide a range of supports to support good animal health.

These animal health support measures assist farmers in optimising farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

“The success of the farming year is dependent on many factors but much hinges on the health and well-being of a farmers’ livestock,” Minister McConalogue said.

“Good animal health not only enhances farm productivity and profitability, but also leads to reduced antibiotic usage, improved animal welfare, lower carbon emissions, and minimised risks of zoonotic diseases.

“From a government perspective, over and above the comprehensive range of sectoral supports, we look to support them with the knowledge, information, tools and resources necessary to optimise their management choices and safeguard their livelihoods.”

Good animal health

Central to the government’s strategy is the promotion of biosecurity measures as a cornerstone of disease prevention and control.

“Biosecurity is paramount in protecting animal health and preventing disease outbreaks,” the minister continued.

“We are committed to empowering farmers with the necessary data, knowledge and support infrastructure to make informed decisions and mitigate risks.”

In relation to the threat of exotic diseases such as avian influenza, bluetongue and African swine fever which are currently spreading across Europe, Minister McConalogue confirmed the allocation of additional funding towards addressing this risk.

This will be aimed at enhanced surveillance activities, including post-import testing, and awareness raising.

The minister also highlighted the critical need for strict biosecurity protocols to be applied at individual farm level, to ensure early detection of any exotic disease risk and to mitigate potential impacts.  

He committed to further investments under the Rural Development Programme’s Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) programme to provide specialised veterinary advice to farmers.  

The minister said: “[The programme] will provide farmers with free on-farm veterinary consultations, focusing on biosecurity for pig and poultry farms, chronic udder health issues and dry cow consultancy in dairy herds, disease management and control advice in relation to bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), Johne’s Disease, bovine TB, tail biting in pigs and the salmonella control plan (pigs).

“We are committing funds of €3.75 million to support the BVD eradication programme this year, which includes direct support to farmers with test positive animals and also a 20% increased payment towards surveillance testing, at €2.40 per animal, supporting up to 25 animals per herd.” 

Data

The minister has also noted the participation by 10,225 farmers who undertook snapshot testing of their herds for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in the National Beef Welfare Scheme in 2023.

The outcome data from this scheme is available to those farmers to help them understand the IBR status of their herds and manage the risk of IBR on their own farms.

The overall anonymised data is available to inform industry stakeholders in the AHI coordinated technical working and implementation groups, as they consider the development of an IBR eradication programme. 

“Preliminary information shows that some 50% of participating herds and 88% of animals tested negative for IBR, which is an invaluable insight into the challenge ahead,” Minister McConalogue said.

“I understand that future research is necessary to validate the efficacy of bulk milk testing as a surveillance methodology in any future control/eradication programme and I have therefore committed €100,000 to AHI to support their research into this and ancillary surveillance test methodologies.”

The minister also indicated that he is seeking to include an animal health measure in the 2024 National Beef Welfare Scheme which will be announced later this year.

Turning to small ruminants, the minister said: “I recognise that animal health challenges exist in the small ruminant sector and that there would be benefit in the industry coming together to explore the development of an industry-led small ruminant health programme.

“I have asked my officials to initiate immediate engagement with industry stakeholders on this and I look forward to seeing progress in this area.”

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The total number of cattle slaughtered in February rose by 5.5% to almost 165,000 head when compared to the same month a year earlier, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Although the latest livestock slaughterings report, published today (Thursday March, 28) by the CSO shows an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered in contrast the number of sheep slaughtered last month fell marginally compared to February 2023 figures.

Mairead Griffin, statistician in the CSO agriculture accounts and production section said: “The number of sheep slaughtered fell by 0.1% to approximately 222,000 heads in February 2024 when compared with the same month in 2023, while pig slaughterings were up by 4% to more than 265,000 heads during the same period.

“Further analysis of the data shows that during January and February 2024, cattle slaughterings rose by 6.8% to almost 331,000 heads while the number of sheep slaughtered grew by 1.5% to approximately 482,000 heads.

“Pig slaughterings increased by 2.1% to more than 563,000 heads over the same two-month period.” 

The latest figures include slaughterings at both meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities.

DAFM

Meanwhile latest figures from DAFM suggest that this month the increased level of cattle slaughterings has continued on from February.

According to DAFM there were 35,722 cattle processed in approved plants during the week ending March 17.

This brings the total throughput for the year to date to 397,594 head.

This represents a 12,020 head or 3% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 385,574 cattle were processed.

Overall there have been 282,792 prime cattle processed in the first ten weeks of 2024 – a 3% increase from the same period last year

According to Bord Bia prime cattle supplies have steadied and the cow trade has also remained “solid” despite the strong throughout in recent weeks.

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The outlook for the European poultry industry is “moderately positive” as chicken remains an affordable choice for consumers according to Rabobank’s latest global poultry quarterly report.

Feed prices are also expected to drop slightly and with shoppers opting for chicken as beef and prices remain at higher levels poultry demand is expected to grow.

The bank has also highlighted that in 2023 the European poultry industry had to contend with “oversupply” due to production expansion and what it described as strong imports from Ukraine.

This was reflected in a drop in European chicken prices in quarter four 2023 but this has come to a halt in the first quarter of 2024 according to Rabobank.

It has forecast that the biggest concern for the poultry industry in Europe will be supply balance as fragile market circumstances persist.

“Poultry demand is expected to grow 1% to 1.5% in 2024 but any overly ambitious growth via production or imports could significantly impact margins,” Rabobank highlighted.

It has also warned that there is still “pressure” in the market due to “historically high” imports from Ukraine which accounted for around 240,000 metric tons in 2023.

Meanwhile the impact of avian influenza (bird flu) in 2023 was significantly less on European poultry markets compared to previous years.

According to Rabobank between October 2023 and February 2024 there have been 173 cases of bird flu reported in Europe – a total of 5.2 million birds have been culled over that timeframe.

The majority of cases were in central and eastern Europe.

However bird flu, according to the latest global poultry quarterly report remains an “ongoing concern” across the world.

Rabobank

According to Rabobank global poultry market conditions are gradually recovering but it expects that “geopolitical tension” will impact on trade flows in 2024.

Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior analyst – animal protein with Rabobank said: “Price will still drive market demand, but less so than in 2023, due to lower consumer price inflation and higher incomes.”

He believes this will support some recovery in demand for value-added poultry, like “processed chicken and poultry concepts, and improved demand in foodservice”.

But according to, Rabobank “price consciousness” among consumers will remain a key driver.

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Sheep numbers were down by 4.9% in June 2023 according to the latest compiled data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO has today, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 released the Crops and Livestock Survey Final Results June 2023. 

Commenting on the release, statistician in the Agriculture Division of the CSO, Sophie Emerson said: “The final results for June 2023 show that the total number of sheep in the country decreased by 293,200 (-4.9%) to 5,674,400 when compared with June 2022.

“The number of other sheep fell by 288,900 (-9.9%) to 2,624,800,” she added.

This data relates to estimates of land utilisation and livestock numbers in June 2023 at state and regional level.

The estimates for sheep and pigs are based on returns from the 2023 June sample survey of agricultural holdings and the June 2023 Pig Survey conducted by the CSO.

The estimates for cattle and for crops are obtained from administrative data from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). 

Farms where the agricultural area used was at least 1ha are included in the June Agricultural Sample Survey.

Farms with less than 1ha may also be included if they were engaged in intensive production, according to the CSO.

CSO figures for other livestock

The total number of cattle in the country decreased by 54,700 (-0.7%) to 7,341,500 when compared with June 2022, according to the CSO data, with the highest numbers being recorded in the south of the country.

The total number of dairy cows grew by 19,300 (+1.2%) while the total number of ‘other cows’ fell by 41,000 (-4.5%).

The total number of cattle aged two years and over rose by 56,100 (+7.6%) in the year since 2022, while the total number of cattle under two years fell by 87,200 (-2.1%).

A regional analysis of the livestock numbers shows that the largest number of cattle (1,472,600) was in the mid-west region, the largest number of sheep (1,623.900) was in the west region and the largest number of pigs (498,900) was in the midlands region.

The total pig numbers increased by 26,500 (+1.6%) to 1,661,300 and similarly, ‘other pigs’ rose by 18,100 (+1.2%) to 1,515,700. The highest numbers were seen in the southern region.

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Lidl Great Britain (GB) announced yesterday (Tuesday, March 26) that it aims to solidify its commitment to ethically sourced quality chicken, by improving animal welfare standards for its own label fresh chickens.

In collaboration with suppliers, it will increase the space allocated to the chickens by 20% above the industry standard, elevating the well-being of these animals.

Chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, Richard Bourns said that animal welfare is a priority of the company, and that it will remain dedicated to ensuring that all animals within the supply chain live good lives.

The transition involves reducing the maximum stocking density to 30kg/sqm. The company hopes for it to begin this summer and be completed by early 2025.

Providing chickens with more space to roam enables them to engage in natural behaviours like stretching their wings, dust bathing, and bolstering both physical and psychological well-being, leading to more fulfilling lives.

The discounter will be supporting its suppliers with the transition through increased investment.

Chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, Richard Bourns, said: 

“Through ongoing engagement and longer term agreements, we’re able to provide them with the confidence needed to make the necessary investments that will help move the dial on animal welfare.

“This approach ensures our customers can count on us to deliver improved animal welfare standards, as we continue to offer them quality produce at market leading prices.”

Lidl GB confirmed that all fresh chicken supplied to them complies with nationally recognised third-party standards, including Red Tractor Assured and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) certification.

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This year’s Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) Symposium will take place on April 16, and is due to focus on future proofing the health of businesses.

Recently appointed head of high performance with Horse Sport Ireland, Bernard Jackman will deliver the keynote address at the symposium, which takes place at 3:00p.m in Co. Kildare.

This is the first year that the event will be held at its new venue – The Curragh Racecourse Exhibition Hall in Co. Kildare.

Delegates will also hear from international climate control expert based in the Netherlands, Peter van der Voorst, about the significance of climate control and its impact on animal welfare.

A range of speakers will discuss practical solutions to the ongoing challenges presented by health, welfare and productivity in the pig farming sector.

Professor of monogastric nutrition, John O’Doherty will offer advice from his years of researching.

Other panel speakers include Joe Healy, Jason McGrath and Sarah Hanley from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Pig Policy Division, with Michael McKeon of Teagasc’s Pig Development Department moderating the discussion.

IPHS president Peter Duggan said: “We’re really looking forward to this year’s event which features a new format and a new venue in the form of the Curragh”.

Following the symposium, the traditional hog roast dinner will be served at 7:00p.m, providing attendees and sponsors with a meal and further networking opportunities.

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Avian influenza (bird flu) strain has been detected in a a junior goat in the US for the first time.

In Minnesota, a Stevens County goat kid residing on a farm with a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)-positive poultry flock tested positive for the same virus.

This is the first US detection of HPAI in a domestic ruminant (cattle, sheep, goats, and their relatives), according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

All poultry on the property were already quarantined from the February HPAI detection.

Following the confirmation of HPAI in the goat, the board quarantined all other species on the premises.

The board is working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate the transmission of the virus in this case.

Bird flu in animal

Minnesota state veterinarian, Dr. Brian Hoefs said: “This finding is significant because, while the spring migration is definitely a higher risk transmission period for poultry, it highlights the possibility of the virus infecting other animals on farms with multiple species.

“Thankfully, research to-date has shown mammals appear to be dead-end hosts, which means they’re unlikely to spread HPAI further.”

Earlier this month the owner notified the Minnesota Board of Animal Health of unusual deaths of newly kidded goats on the property where a backyard poultry flock was depopulated due to HPAI in February.

The goats and poultry had access to the same space, including a shared water source.

One of the goat carcasses was taken to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL), where it tested positive for influenza A.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) later confirmed H5N1 HPAI, which is the same virus circulating in the US outbreak that began in 2022.

Samples from the adult goats were negative for HPAI and all appear healthy; no more sick goat kids have been reported since March 11.

HPAI has been previously diagnosed in other mammalian species such as skunks, dogs and cats. Animals with weakened or immature immune systems, like the goat kids in this case, are at higher risk of contracting disease.

There has been limited experimental data on HPAI infection in ruminants, and there are no prior reports of natural HPAI infection in goats.

USDA has tracked more than 200 detections of HPAI in mammals across the country since the start of the 2022 HPAI outbreak.

Precautions

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) and is monitoring the health of those in direct contact with the infected goats.

Anyone who develops respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms after exposure to the goats may be voluntarily tested for avian influenza and other respiratory pathogens.

The risk to the public has been deemed to be extremely low, and any risk of infection is limited to people in direct contact with infected animals.

To date, no people in the United States have become ill following contact with mammals infected with this virus.

According to health authorities, biosecurity is the first line of defence for anyone to protect their animals from disease and includes simple measures such as: cleaning equipment and housing regularly; separating livestock from wild animals; and calling a vet when animals appear sick.

Bird flu monitoring in US

USDA confirmed HPAI in a commercial flock in the US on February 8, 2022. Since then, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has worked swiftly to identify and respond to detections and mitigate the virus’ impact on U.S. poultry production and trade.

Detections are higher in autumn and spring as wild birds spread the virus as they migrate to their seasonal homes.

There are more than 368.2 million egg-laying chickens in the Us. In 2022, more than 9.5 billion broiler chickens and 208 million turkeys were processed in the US.

According to USDA, in the past 30 days there have been 17 flocks tested and confirmed as having HPAI in the US.

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The average cost of a typical full Irish breakfast is higher now than it was 12 months ago, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Ahead of our national holiday on St. Patrick’s Day, the CSO has compared to cost of our national breakfast between January 2023 and January 2024.

While the bread, butter, and milk for your tea have come down slightly, the fry portion (eggs, tomatoes, pork sausages, rashers and mushrooms), plus the tea bags, have gone up.

The fry is up 3.1% in cost over the 12 months, while the tea and milk together have increased 2.4%.

Notwithstanding the combined 1.8% decrease for bread and butter, the total change for a full Irish is an increase of 2.3% from January 2023 and 2024.

Looking at the prices for each product, an 800g packet of white sliced pan was 3c cheaper in January 2024, at €1.64, than in January 2023.

A half-dozen pack of eggs, meanwhile, increased by 6c over the 12 months, to €2.22.

Meanwhile, a kilogramme of tomatoes was up 25c in January 2024, to €3.72, and a pack of 80 teabags increased by 21c to €3.12.

Looking at the meat, a kilogramme of pork sausages was 10c higher in January 2024 compared to January 2023, while a kilogramme of rashers increased by 12c to €10.78.

The dairy portion of the meal was cheaper in January 2024 compared to 12 months earlier, with a 2L carton of full-fat milk 8c cheaper, at €2.18 this year, and a pound of butter was down 7c to €3.76.

Finally, a kilogramme of mushrooms saw the largest increase, of 31c to €4.28 in January 2024.

CSO on agriculture operating surplus

Also this week, the CSO said that the agricultural operating surplus has declined by 36%, or €1.7 billion, to €3 billion last year.

This is mainly due to a sharp decline in the value of milk and cereals. Milk prices fell by 26% and, when combined with a 4% drop in volumes, the value of milk fell by 30% to €3.5 billion.

Responding to these figures, farm organisations have raised concerns following their publication.

The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, said “the dashboard lights are turning red and blinking fast” following a “collapse” in operating surplus.

The president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Francie Gorman, said that latest CSO figures highlight the price volatility that Irish farmers are “exposed to” in the current market.

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The changes to the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which were adopted by the European Parliament today (Tuesday, March 12) will impact “very small” pig and poultry farms, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

Alice Doyle, the association’s deputy president, said that the changes will require pig farms with as few as 94 sows and layer poultry farms with 21,000 birds to obtain a permit to operate.

The European Parliament formally adopted new legislation earlier today on the IED, based on a deal reached in November.

A compromise was reached by negotiators from the parliament and the Council of the EU (also known as the Council of Ministers) in November in the trilogue process, in which those two institutions, plus the European Commission, try to come to an agreement on new legislative texts.

Today, MEPs voted in favour of this agreement by 393 votes to 173, with 49 abstentions, following an earlier vote in January in which the parliament’s environment committee backed the agreement.

Although livestock farms have not been included in the scope of the revised IED at this time, it will now extend to more pig and poultry farms than at present (the IED already applies to the largest pig and poultry farms, as well as other industrial installations in non-farming sectors).

The IED will now extend to pig farms with more than 350LUs (an LU does not necessarily refer to one animal, e.g., a dairy cow is 1LU, but a younger bovine would be less than 1LU, while a pig would be lower again, and a chicken only a small fraction of 1LU).

Farms raising pigs in an extensive or organic manner, and outside for a significant amount of time in a year, will be excluded.

For poultry, the directive applies to farms with laying hens with more than 300LUs, and to farms with broilers with more than 280LUs.

For farms rearing both pigs and poultry, the threshold will be 380LUs.

According to Doyle, the IED currently applies to pig farms with 275 sows and layer farms with 40,000 birds, but the revisions will see these figures significantly reduced.

“MEPs appear to have adopted a ‘one size fits all’ approach and were unwilling to consider that farming systems are not the same across member states.”

Doyle expressed disappointment that the parliament did not consider amendments to the IED revisions, saying: “It’s a shame that the vote to consider amendments was defeated by a narrow margin.

Doyle was in Brussels today, where she met Irish MEPs in advance of the vote.

“A different outcome would have kept smaller units outside the scope of what was proposed in the IED,” she added.

“Farms are already heavily regulated and they are not ‘industrial’ units.”

The IFA deputy president claimed: “This was driven by ideology, not science, and it will mean a costly licencing regime on farming.”

According to the IFA, the revised IED would bring “very small” pig and poultry units into a scenario where they needed a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to operate.

The association said that the new requirement in the IED will mean that pig farms with 94 sows and layer farms with 21,000 birds would require a licence “under the same directive as a chemical factory”.

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The European Parliament has formally adopted new legislation on the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), based on a deal reached in November.

A compromise was reached by negotiators from the parliament and the Council of the EU (also known as the Council of Ministers) in November in the trilogue process, in which those two institutions, plus the European Commission, try to come to an agreement on new legislative texts.

Today (Tuesday, March 12), MEPs voted in favour of this agreement by 393 votes to 173, with 49 abstentions, following an earlier vote in January in which the parliament’s environment committee backed the agreement.

When the European Commission proposed a revision of the IED in 2022, it included cattle farms above a certain livestock unit (LU) threshold, prompting fears that the largest livestock farms would be subject to a permitting regime in order to operate.

The IED already applies to the largest pig and poultry farms, as well as other industrial installations in non-farming sectors.

However, the agreement reached at trilogue, while extending to more pig and poultry farms, excludes livestock farms – at least for now – from the scope of the IED.

The agreed legislative text requires the commission to assess, by December 31, 2026, whether there is a need to further address the emissions from rearing livestock, including from cattle.

The commission will also assess whether a reciprocity clause is required to ensure producers outside the EU meet requirements similar to EU rules when exporting to the EU.

The IED will now extend to pig farms with more than 350LUs (an LU does not necessarily refer to one animal, e.g., a dairy cow is 1LU, but a younger bovine would be less than 1LU, while a pig would be lower again, and a chicken only a small fraction of 1LU).

Farms raising pigs in an extensive or organic manner, and outside for a significant amount of time in a year, are excluded.

For poultry, the directive applies to farms with laying hens with more than 300LUs, and to farms with broilers with more than 280LUs.

For farms rearing both pigs and poultry, the threshold will be 380LUs.

The revisions to the IED accompany the creation of a new EU Industrial Emissions Portal, where EU citizens will be allowed access data on all permits issued under the IED and alleged local polluting activities.

Companies that do not comply with the IED can face penalties of at least 3% of the operator’s annual turnover for “the most serious infringements”.

The law will also allow citizens to take action for compensation for alleged damage to their health as a result of non-compliance by businesses that are subject to the IED.

The law also has to be adopted by the Council of the EU before formally coming into force. Once it does, member states will have 22 months to become compliant with it.

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Both the output prices and input prices in the agriculture sector declined in the 12 months to January 2024, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO has released its agricultural price indices for the month of January, which showed that the agricultural output price index dropped by 13.8% compared to January 2023, while the agricultural input price index was down by 15.9% in the same period.

On a monthly basis (comparing December 2023 to January 2024) the agricultural output price index rose by 2.7%, while the input index figure was unchanged.

As a result, the agricultural terms of trade increased by 2.7% in January compared to December.

For the 12 months to January, the most significant output price deceases were for cereals (down 31.6%), milk (down 30.3%), and poultry (down 5.5%).

However, over that period output price increases were noted for potatoes, which saw a substantial increase of 75.5%, and vegetables, which increased by 13.1%.

The overall output price index for animals was down 15.4% compared to January 2023. Apart from the decline for poultry, decreases were also noted for cattle (down 1.5%) and pigs (down 4.3%).

Increases in index were recorded for calves (up 21.7%) and sheep (up 8.2%).

The decrease in output price for milk accounted for almost all of the decrease for animal products collectively, with a much more marginal decrease for eggs (down 0.2%) and an increase for wool (up 1.2%).

Focusing on input prices over the 12 months to January 2024, there were significant reductions in input prices recorded for fertiliser (down 46.7%), feed (down 14.6%), and energy (down 6.8%).

For specific fertilisers, there were decreases across the board, with the exception of the ‘other fertilisers’ category.

These decreases were as follows:

• Straight fertilisers – down 52.2%;
• Compound fertilisers – down 45.3%;
• Phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) – down 31.1%;
• Nitrogen (N) plus P and K – down 45.6%;
• Other fertilisers – up 12%.

For feed, straight feeding stuffs decreased by 20.3% and compound feeding stuff decreased by 14.2%.

There were increases in input prices for plant protection products (up 7.6%), seeds (up 2.8%), and veterinary expenses (up 4.1%).

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A fire in a Co. Tyrone farm resulted in the death of a number of pigs, despite the best efforts of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) in putting out the blaze.

The fire happened in a farmyard shed on a pig farm on the Gorey Road in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.

It occurred at 9.30p.m on Friday, March 8, and was attended by NIFRS crews from six different fire stations; Dungannon, Pomeroy, Cookstown, Portadown, Omagh and Dungiven.

The crews used breathing apparatus, water and foam jets to put out the fire at the pig farm.

Unfortunately, the NIFRS confirmed that: “Sadly a number of pigs died and the cause of the fire is still being investigated.”

After putting out the fire, the NIFRS left the scene three hours after the blaze had started, at 12:31a.m yesterday (Saturday, March 9).

Democractic Uninionist Party (DUP) councillor Mark Robinson from the Clogher Valley said the fire was: “Very distressing news for the farming family involved, generations of genetics lost through this tragedy, never mind the financial loss, and the day to day impact it will have on running their business.

“People don’t really understand the stress, and mental impact a tragedy like this can have on the farmer and their family,” Robinson added.

The Co. Tyrone councillor offered “a massive thank you to our emergency services, especially Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service being promptly on the scene and for the dangerous job they do”.

Mournes councillor for the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, Jill Truesdale called the fire “horrendous,” due to “the noise, the smell, the guys trying to get it under control, the phenomenal death toll, the mess, the clean up”.

Truesdale added that the pigs killed in the fire are an “absolutely dreadful loss”.

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The benchmark for world food commodity prices declined for the seventh consecutive month in February, as lower international cereal quotations more than offset rising prices for milk and meat, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 117.3 points in February, down 0.7% from January and 10.5% from the same month a year ago.

The FAO Cereal Price Index decreased by 5% in February to reach a level 22.4% below that of February 2023.

Maize export prices saw the most significant drop, amid expectations of large harvests in South America and competitive prices offered by Ukraine, while international wheat prices declined mostly due to strong exports from Russia.

International rice prices also declined, by 1.6%, in February.

International soyoil prices dropped notably, underpinned by prospects of significant soybean outputs in South America, while ample global export availabilities of sunflower and rapeseed oils pushed their prices down.

On the other hand, the FAO Meat Price Index rose by 1.8% from January, with poultry meat quotations rising the most, followed by those for beef and other bovine-sourced meat, which has been impacted by heavy rains disrupting cattle transportation in Australia.

Pig meat prices also rose slightly due to higher demand from China and a tight supply situation in western Europe. International sheepmeat prices declined due in part to record-breaking production in Australia.

The FAO Dairy Price Index increased by 1.1%, led by higher import demand from Asian buyers for butter. Prices of milk powders and cheese also rose marginally.

Cereal supply and demand

The FAO also released a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, slightly raising its forecast for the global cereal production in 2023 to 2.84 billion tonnes when the final data for last year is known.

Global cereal utilization in 2023/2024 is now forecast at 2.83 billion tonnes, an increase of 1.1% from the previous year due mostly to increased use of maize and wheat for livestock feed.

Global cereal stocks are expected to increase, due entirely to coarse grains, with the global cereal stocks-to-use ratio expected to end the year at 31.1%, up from 30.9%.

Global trade in cereals is predicted to increase by 1.3% from 2022, buoyed by an improved outlook for maize exports by Ukraine and stronger demand from China.

The FAO said its preliminary forecast for global wheat production in 2024, pegging it at 797 million tonnes, a 1% increase form 2023.

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An undercover investigation on two Irish pig farms by animal rights activists has shown what they claim is “severe animal cruelty, neglect and environmental pollution”.

The footage (graphic stills of which can be seen later in this article), purportedly taken in January 2024, was presented by Animal Rebellion Ireland (ARI) and the National Animal Rights Association (NARA) which said the farms were chosen “at random”.

The activists said their footage shows pigs in “coffin-like confinement”, pigs with “docked tails”, “seemingly untreated wounds and injuries”, and “dead pigs left piled up outside”.

The footage was given to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), from which the campaigners say they are now “awaiting a response”.

“We want the entire pig industry shut down, and not over a lengthy transitional period. It needs to be shut down immediately,” NARA spokesperson, Laura Broxson said.

One of the pig farms investigated housed between 9,000-12,000 pigs, according to Animal Rebellion Ireland representative, Becky Jenkins, who said “this investigation is the first of many”.

“There were many pigs and piglets sick and injured. Some were biting the bars of their pens repeatedly, which is a stress-induced stereotypical behaviour,” Broxson said.

“We were expecting it to be bad, but we were not fully prepared for the horrors we witnessed,” the spokesperson said and added that there was “nauseating stench of faeces, urine and decay”.

“If dogs and cats were kept in such conditions, there would be national outrage, legal prosecutions, and immediate changes in legislation to prohibit its continuance,” Broxson added.

Attending a press conference organised by the organisations today (Tuesday, March 5), People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said he will raise the matter in the Dáil this week.

DAFM

The DAFM said it will investigate the “alleged breaches” of pig welfare requirements raised by the acitvists “following receipt of any evidence”, and take “appropriate action” where non-compliance or poor welfare is identified.

In a statement provided to Agriland, the DAFM said that it takes any allegations of breaches of animal welfare regulations “extremely seriously”.

“Irish pig farms are subject to national and European pig welfare regulations, and department officials regularly inspect pig farms on that basis.

“The department has a number of initiatives to support improvements in pig welfare, including pig welfare action plans which the pig sector has engaged with.

“And the provision of grants through the department’s [Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes] TAMS programme to support higher-welfare buildings and infrastructure on farms,” the DAFM said.

The post Animal rights activists claim pig cruelty in undercover investigation appeared first on Agriland.ie.

The annual Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) Symposium is moving to a new venue and adopting a new format for its 2024 event.

The symposium, themed ‘Future proofing the health of your business’, will see attendees assemble at The Curragh Racecourse in Co. Kildare on Tuesday, April 16, where industry experts will address evolving matters within the pig farming sector.

IPHS president Peter Duggan said: “We’re taking a fresh approach when it comes to this year’s event.

“This is in response to the feedback we’ve received and taken on board from delegates as well as our valued sponsors.”  

The keynote speaker for this year’s symposium, which will convene at 5:00p.m, is former Ireland and Leinster Rugby player Bernard Jackman, the recently appointed head of High Performance with Horse Sport Ireland. 

Duggan added: “The symposium will feature a high-calibre line-up of monogastric experts, along with an interactive producer discussion panel featuring Joe Healy, Jason McGrath and Sarah Hanley from the IFA [Irish Farmers’ Association] Pig Policy Division, that will be chaired by Michael McKeon of Teagasc’s Pig Development Department.

“There’ll also be ample opportunity for delegates to chat informally on April 16, which the Curragh, as a venue, lends most favourably to.”

The event’s industry trade session will get underway at the Curragh Racecourse Exhibition Hall on April 16 from 3:00p.m.

A range of speakers will discuss practical solutions to the ongoing challenges presented by health, welfare and productivity in the pig farming sector.

Following the symposium, the traditional hog roast dinner will be served, providing for further networking opportunities.

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A case of avian influenza (bird flu) in England has been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

The disease was detected in commercial poultry and is the first confirmed case of 2024 in England.

Chief veterinary officer Robert Huey said the risk remains “a real and constant threat” as the disease continues to circulate across Great Britain and Europe.

“The confirmation of this first case of the year in England, is a stark reminder that all bird keepers must remain vigilant and continue to practice high standards of biosecurity. 

“Effective biosecurity measures are vital in protecting Northern Ireland’s poultry flock from this disease,” Huey said.

He reminded all bird owners, included those who keep caged pet birds that they are legally required to register and keep their details up to date on the DAERA Bird Register.

Bird flu recommendations

“Bird registration forms are available from the DAERA website or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. 

“Bird keepers who have not yet registered their birds should do so immediately”, Huey said.

“The risk of a notifiable avian influenza incursion into the Northern Ireland poultry flock is moderate with high uncertainty, with biosecurity continuing to play a key role in the risk posed to each individual flock,” he said.

To continue to protect birds from the virus, DAERA recommends the following guidelines:

• Change into clean footwear before tending to your birds;
• Store feed and bedding undercover;
• Control rodents and clean up spilled feed;
• Regularly clean and disinfect hard surfaces with a government approved disinfectant;
• Maintain your birds’ housing to keep water and wild birds out;
• Discourage wild birds from the area you keep your birds.

DAERA has encouraged all bird keepers to sign up to the text alert service.

This will allows farmers to receive immediate notification of any important disease information, allowing them to protect flocks at the earliest opportunity.

The post First case of bird flu in 2024 confirmed in England appeared first on Agriland.ie.

A study assessing the potential impact of 10 free trade agreements (FTAs) – recently concluded or currently under negotiation – confirms that the EU trade approach opens new commercial opportunities for EU agri-food exporters.

Engaging in preferential trade relations diversifies import sources, improving the resilience of EU food supply chains, according to the research by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

According to the commission, the development of new markets through preferential trade relations will help consolidate the EU’s position as the world’s top exporter of agri-food products; in 2022, the EU’s positive agri-trade balance reached €58 billion.

A recent report on diversification in the EU agri-food trade showed that the EU position as the world’s top exporter and one of the top importers of agri-food products allows for balanced and favourable trade relations with third countries.

Exports

The study published today (Thursday, February 22) focuses on the agreements with Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand.

These are agreements which are all either currently negotiated or concluded but not yet implemented.

It is estimated that the value of EU agri-food exports would be between €3.1 billion and €4.4 billion higher in 2032 than they would have been without these 10 trade agreements.

Trade opportunities are expected to develop for EU agri-food commodities, such as dairy (+€780 million), wine and other beverages (+€654 million), and processed agri-food products (+€1.3 billion).

Imports

Upon the entry into force of the 10 trade agreements covered in the study, the value of EU imports is expected to be between €3.1 billion to €4.1 billion higher in 2032 than it would have been without these agreements.

This would result in a balanced increase of both exports and imports, with the overall EU trade balance slightly increasing as a result, according to the research.

The study acknowledges that some sensitive sectors, notably beef, sheep meat, poultry, rice and sugar, are expected to face increased competition by the 10 partners referred to in the study.

According to the JRC, this conclusion validates the current EU approach of systematically protecting sensitive sectors with carefully calibrated tariff rate quotas (TRQs).

It said that this essential tool in trade agreements can help mitigate possible market disruptions, providing protections to EU farmers and agri-food producers.

For the first time, the commission’s study also looks at the impact on EU agriculture of the trade agreements recently concluded by the UK with Australia, New Zealand and the member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The study shows that these trade partners will take some shares from EU producers in the UK market.

The resulting impact would be limited and the EU is still expected to remain among the main suppliers of the UK, according to the commission.

Nevertheless, some impacts are expected for sectors such as beef, wine and other beverages (and tobacco), processed food, dairy and sheep meat.

However, the commission has argued that the overall positive impact of the 10 trade agreements that could enter into force would compensate the market losses from the UK trade agenda.

Study of FTAs

The study published today is the second update of the 2016 initial study on cumulative economic impact of upcoming trade agreements on EU agriculture.

The first update was published in 2021. It aims to provide valuable insights for policy makers and negotiators on the link between the EU trade agenda and EU agriculture, by assessing two different scenarios depending on the extent of liberalisation efforts.

It does not replace the broader and more detailed impact assessments carried out for each individual trade agreement negotiation.

In today’s study, the more ambitious scenario analysed corresponds to a full liberalisation of 98.5% of all products, and a partial tariff cut of 50% for the remaining products while the more conservative scenario would be a liberalisation of 97%, and a 25% tariff cut for the other products.

The model used relies on the tariff in 2014, 2022 and a projection of 2032.

Trade agreements that entered into force several years ago (e.g., with Switzerland, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, South Korea, Canada, Japan or Vietnam) are taken into account in the baseline as well as the autonomous trade measures with Ukraine for the year 2022.

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The number of pigs in Ireland in December 2023 was down by 10.4% when compared with the same month in the previous year, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO Livestock Survey December 2023 published today (Tuesday, February 13) shows that pig numbers dropped by 162,800 to 1,407,600.

Donal Kelly, senior statistician in the agriculture section of the CSO, said that this is the lowest level since 1991.

“The numbers of both breeding pigs and non-breeding pigs were down by 0.6% and 11.2% respectively, with the largest drop in the ‘non-breeding pigs 80kg and over’ category (-15%).

“The number of breeding pigs in the country (126,800) were at their lowest level since December 1988,” he said.

The data shows that sows in pig fell by 9,800 (-13.5%) with gilts in pig rising by 2,100 (+13.6%).

CSO

The total number of cattle in the country was down by 0.4% or 25,900 to 6,526,000 in December 2023, compared with the same period in the previous year.

Male cattle showed the largest increase of 22,900 (+18.9%), the female cattle numbers rose by 20,700 (+9.6%).

“The number of dairy cows rose slightly to 1,510,900 (+500) while the number of ‘other cows’ fell by 43,200 (-5%).

The total number of cattle aged one-two years fell by 6,300 (-0.4%) while cattle aged two years and over (excluding cows and bulls) rose by 43,700 (+13%),” Kelly said.

The CSO’s provisional figures for the total number of sheep showed a decrease of 23,000 (-0.6%) to 3,995,000, compared with December 2022.

The number of breeding sheep was down by 62,900 (-2.3%), rams increased by 3,800 (+4.4%) with ewes decreasing by 66,700 (-2.5%).

The data showed that the number of ‘other sheep’ rose by 39,900 (+3.2%) to 1,305,600.

The post CSO: Number of pigs falls to lowest level since 1991 appeared first on Agriland.ie.

A High Court judge has rejected a legal challenge taken by an environmentalist against the granting of a licence by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a chicken farm in Co. Limerick.

Justice Conleth Bradley refused Peter Sweetman’s application for a judicial review seeking to quash the EPA’s decision to grant an industrial emissions licence in February 2019 to Michael Noel O’Connor.

The licence, which was granted subject to conditions, authorised the rearing of 74,000 broiler chickens at a site at Rathcahill West, Templeglantine, Newcastle West.

Sweetman, who was represented by James Devlin SC, argued that the EPA should have assessed the consequences of granting the licence, in particular the use of poultry litter and wash water for land spreading of organic fertiliser or as waste on lands outside of the installation.

The environmentalist also sought related declarations about the EPA’s general approach to such decisions.

Chicken farm

In his opening comments, James Devlin said that the basic issue is “you can’t have chicken production on any scale, and certainly not on this scale, without also producing chicken manure”.

“Disposing of the chicken manure is one of the key environmental issues arising from an enterprise of this sort,” he added.

Devlin argued that the poultry litter and wash water constitute ‘emissions’ and ‘waste’ and that their application on lands outside of the installation where the poultry rearing occurs should have been assessed and addressed by the EPA.

It was claimed that the EPA has a particular obligation to assess, authorise and regulate ‘the consequences of poultry rearing’.

Devlin told the court that Sweetman’s main concern related to the possible land spreading of the poultry litter and wash water generated from the operation of the intensive poultry farm in an area or in a manner which could impact on a protected site.

Sweetman contended that the EPA could not have been certain that the poultry litter and wash water would be sent for land spreading because it did not know the location of the recipient lands and for that reason the poultry litter and wash water could not be defined as a by-product, and were, instead, waste.

It was noted that the only activity covered by the licence is the rearing of poultry at the one location.

In response, the EPA stated that no appropriate assessment (AA) was required for land spreading as Michael Noel O’Connor did not apply for such a licence.

The agency submitted that, on the facts of this case, the poultry litter and wash water are animal by-products and not a waste or emission.

It added that their future use and regulation offsite are governed by the Animal By-Products Regulations and may also be treated as organic fertiliser.

The agency said that the use and regulation of such material off-site are not governed not by the Industrial Emissions Directive, but by the Nitrates Regulations.

The EPA added that the spreading of agricultural slurry which contains nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Judge

Justice Conleth Bradley said that the EPA inspector’s report stated that the chicken farm was not located within a European site and there was no surface water or groundwater pathway
from the litter generated at the installation when the chicken houses were stocked.

The judge ruled that the agency when considering the application which was made to it from O’Connor, correctly defined “the ambit of its statutory and regulatory powers”.

This did not extend to the authorisation of the possible end-use of the poultry litter or wash water generated from the intensive poultry rearing as organic fertiliser or as waste on lands outside of the installation.

Justice Bradley noted that Peter Sweetnam’s concern was “not this particular poultry farm, but rather the approach of the agency to this issue in general”.

“It is not the function of the court, however, on an application for judicial review to give what could amount to an advisory opinion on the approach of a decision making body generally or further to do so in the absence of a particular context,” the judge said.

Justice Bradley added that Sweetman was incorrect to assume that the decision of the EPA envisages that there may be or can be future land spreading of the poultry litter or wash water on lands outside of the installation.

The judge said that “it is at least open to question whether the applicant’s concerns may in reality be against the competent authority under the Nitrates Regulations, namely the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine”.

The post Judge dismisses environmentalist’s chicken farm licence challenge appeared first on Agriland.ie.

A third generation Cork farmer recently exited dairy to concentrate on a free range pig enterprise he developed from a hobby.

Having taken over the 85ac family dairy farm in 2001, Peter Twomey from Glenbrook Farm, White’s Cross, Co. Cork, did his last milking on November 23 last.

“I felt that being so close to the city was too good a location to be milking cows,” he said.

Having always kept pigs as a hobby, Peter found that the same costs were involved in feeding pigs for a hobby, as for a business.

He bought four sows in 2017 when a housing development across the road from his farm got planning permission.

He added: “I thought that the people who would be living by the farm would buy my pork. They are still building the development.”

However, things were moving more quickly for Peter.

In the Spring of 2021, he teamed up with Byrne’s Butchers in Ballyvolane, which was the first butcher to stock Glenbrook Farm pork on its counter.

Soon after, O’Mahony’s restaurant in Watergrasshill featured Glenbrook Farm pork on its menu.

“The herd was then at 20 sows and two boars. By November 2021, with the help of Byrne’s Butchers, 5kg pork boxes became available locally, and in the spring of 2022, these boxes could be used for nationwide delivery,” said Peter.

In early 2022, Fitzgerald’s butchers, Fermoy, and O’Mahony’s butchers, English Market, began to stock Glenbrook Farm free range pork in their shops.

New venture

Last March, Peter started a farm shop which opens every Thursday from 5:00p.m to 8:00p.m.

In September, Peter and his wife Kate, hosted their first farm-to-fork on-site pop-up restaurant. This comprised two nights of a six course tasting menu, designed and cooked by Maris Urbanovics – a renowned multi award-winning Cork chef.

“We were buzzing when both nights sold out very quickly,” Peter said.

After a very busy and successful Christmas of ham and pork box orders, a third pop-up restaurant event was organised for March 2023, which sold out by early January and now has over 20 people on a waiting list.

It’s all go for Peter and Kate, as they team up with Cork rooftop farm which is looking to grow 60ac of organic vegetables in Glenbrook to ‘feed’ Cork.

The pair are taking the farm in new directions, while also getting to spend more time with their three children, Annie May (aged 13), Tadhg (aged 10) and Florence (aged nine).

The post Cork farmer exits dairy to develop free range pig hobby appeared first on Agriland.ie.

Irish meat-processing factories are “prepared and ready” for the new rules which will impact trade with the UK from today (Wednesday, January 31) according to Meat Industry Ireland (MII).

In a statement to Agriland, Director of Meat Industry Ireland (MII), Dale Crammond said: “The meat industry has known about the forthcoming changes to our Great Britain (GB) trading requirements for some time.

“MII members have been working closely with their local veterinary teams over recent weeks, and I have no doubt that everyone is prepared and ready to go.”

The MII director was speaking about the UK’s new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) which kicks in today, Wednesday, January 31.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs: “These changes by the UK are a further outworking of Brexit, as the UK gradually moves to enhanced border controls as part of its new BTOM.

The new UK requirements include the pre-lodgement of customs declarations as well as the pre-notification of agri-food exports which must, in some cases, be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate.

These new UK requirements are in addition to the existing formalities that apply when exporting goods from the EU.

Over one third of Irish exports go to the UK and the market remains the largest single destination for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports.

The UK accounts for 47% of Irish beef exports, for example, with an estimated value of €1.3 billion, while dairy exports to the UK were valued at €1.1 billion in 2023.

Speaking about the particular impact for the agri-food sector, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said earlier this month: “These new UK import control requirements represent a significant change in the trading environment for Irish agri-food exporters to GB, in what is our largest export market.

“All businesses in the agri-food supply chain to GB must continue to engage with their UK customers, their local supervisory competent authority team and logistics providers to confirm the processes are in place to meet the new UK requirements in the most effective and efficient manner.”

AHDB comment on new rules

According to the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the BTOM “will seek to mirror the controls the EU implemented immediately following the UK’s departure from the EU on January 1, 2021”.

“From this date, sanitary certificates for meat and dairy and phytosanitary certificates for plant products were required for all UK exports to the EU. Physical inspections were also introduced at EU borders.”

The introduction of health certificates for entry into the UK was originally scheduled for April 2021, with physical checks following in June 2021, but these timelines were quickly revised due to lack of readiness at the border, according to the AHDB.

AHDB has also said: “It is understood that the period from January to April 2024 will be used as a ‘bedding in’ period, with warnings and advice given rather than goods being turned away. However, April will see the introduction of physical checks and a tightening of the rules.

“If the experience of UK exporters after leaving the EU is anything to go by, the introduction of BTOM will see significant disruption, delays and add costs to goods entering the UK.

“In the period following the introduction of the EU rules, trade dropped significantly by more than 40%.

“Even after the initial teething problems of incorrect paperwork, lengthy delays and perishable loads discarded, many smaller UK exporters who were unable to spread the cost of the certification, inspections and delays over an entire shipment stopped exporting altogether.”

The AHDB has said that the measures “are broadly welcomed by UK meat and dairy producers, who feel the playing field is finally being levelled with their EU counterparts”.

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Springtime is fast approaching and with the arrival of spring, farmers and agri-contractors will be busy spreading nutrient applications in the form of slurry, dung or chemical fertiliser onto farmland, when permitted.

Often, on farms, the value of slurry that is produced can be taken for granted but in recent years, more farmers are beginning to appreciate the value of their home-produced fertiliser and are taking a more targeted approach to their nutrient applications.

Slurry and farmyard manure (FYM) or dung, where possible, should be targeted at the fields which most require the nutrients, not the fields that are most conveniently located to the slurry store.

Teagasc has recently assembled a table detailing the nutrient values of various slurries and FYM and the monetary values of these, based on average nutrient and Dry Matter (DM) contents:

Some notes to consider when reading the table:

• The value of N in cattle slurry is 9 units/1,000 gallon (based on total N of 2.4kgN/m³ at 40% N availability by low emissions slurry spreading (LESS) application; Conversion: kg by 2=units;
• Spring application of organic manures is required to maximise N recovery. Manures should be tested to determine manure nutrient content;
• In relation to pig manure, incorporation of hig N manures within 2-6hrs after application, assume 50% N availability;
• Value of N = €1.26/kg; P = €2.73/kg; K = €1.05/kg for 2024 (nutrient values based on price/volume of range of fertiliser products;
• The cost of spreading or transport is not included in the value;
• Replace P availability to 50% on P Index 1 & 2soils;
• Values under units/1,000gal or per/t have been rounded to the closest unit.

The table above provides guideline figures, and farmers who wish to get accurate nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) values for slurry on their own farms can do so by getting their slurry tested.

Using an N value of €1.26/kg, a P value of €2.73/kg and a K value of €1.05/kg, the table indicates that 1,000gal of cattle slurry with a DM content of 6% has a value of €29.

1,000gal of pig slurry with a DM content of 4% has a value of €32, according to the table.

The costings do not include the cost of spreading and transporting the slurry.

Before determining what chemical fertilisers are needed for the farm this year, farmers should first consult a recent soil sample analysis taken of their farm.

Where no recent soil samples have been taken, now is the ideal time to take a soil sample, where nutrients have not been spread on land in the past three months.

An up-to-date soil sample will help farmers identify areas of ground on their farm that should be targeted with slurry and areas on the farm that may need a lime application.

Often farmers who soil sample their land are surprised to see they may need to purchase much less chemical P and K fertiliser than they originally thought.

The post How much money is slurry worth in nutrient terms? appeared first on Agriland.ie.

Efforts to reduce the number of Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs) in Ireland appear to be continuing, while the development of carcass collection points is getting underway.

Seamus Fagan, a veterinary research officer at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) RVL in Athlone provided a progress update while speaking at the Teagasc National Sheep Conference held in Athlone, Co. Westmeath earlier this week (Tuesday, January 23).

Fagan said that the location of RVLs can mean some farmers may have difficulty in bringing samples they require to be tested in a reasonable time.

“People can’t really afford to travel for much more than an hour to get to us.”

However, Fagan said that efforts are being made to address this, through the development of carcass collection points across the country.

Fagan confirmed that by the time the carcass collection points are developed, the number of RVLs will “be down to four labs then,” adding that the RVLs in “Cork and Limerick will amalgamate”.

Rregional Veterinary Labs

Fagan referred to areas of Co. Wicklow, north Donegal, Co. Galway, Co. Mayo, and Co. Kerry, which he called “all big sheep regions,” but he said that these areas were currently “all outside” the areas serviced by RVLs.

He acknowledged that a “lot of the sheep population is not that well served at the minute by the regional vet labs”.

Creating the carcass collection points, Fagan said, is “the plan that we are slowly working on” and added that “like everything, it’s taking longer than it should”.

Fagan showed a map at the conference that detailed where the six carcass collection points would be; in Co. Donegal, Co. Mayo, Co. Kerry, Co. Limerick, Co. Cavan, and Co. Dublin.

Current RVL locations:

• Co. Sligo;
• Co. Cork;
• Athlone, Co. Westmeath;
• Co. Limerick;
• Co. Kilkenny;
• Abbotstown, Co. Dublin.

Fagan added that the proposed carcass collection points will be positioned “so that you can bring your sheep or dead animals there and we’ll transport them” to one of four RVLS in the future.

The veterinary research officer said the positioning of the carcass collection points will “hopefully…cover a lot of the big sheep areas” in the country.

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The number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland in 2023 fell by 2% year on year to almost 1.9 million head, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today (Thursday, January 25).

The 2%drop represented an annual decrease of 38,924 in the total number of cattle slaughtered.

The latest CSO figures highlight that there was also a drop in the number of both sheep and pigs slaughtered last year.

Sheep slaughterings fell by 23,286 head (0.7%) in 2023 to nearly 3.2 million head while pig slaughterings were also down by 324,171 head (8.9%) to more than 3.3 million head last year.

The figures are based on slaughterings at both meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities.

According to Mairead Griffin, statistician in the CSO agriculture accounts and production section, while there was an annual decrease in livestock slaughter numbers for 2023 analysis shows that cattle slaughterings increased in December 2023 compared to figures for December 2022.

Griffin added: “Cattle slaughterings increased by 2.4% to almost 145,000 head in December 2023 when compared with December 2022.

“The number of sheep slaughtered fell by 3% to just over 263,000 heads in December 2023 when compared with December 2022, while pig slaughterings contracted by 8.9% to approximately 256,000 head.

According to the latest slaughtering figures from the CSO the number of cattle slaughtered last month increased by 3,433 head when compared to corresponding figures for December 2022.

But the number of sheep slaughtered fell by 8,035 head in December 2023 compared to the same month a year earlier while the number of pigs slaughtered last month also fell by 24,908 head when compared to corresponding figures for December 2022.

Meanwhile latest figures from Bord Bia show that cattle throughput in DAFM approved plants totaled 33,760 head up until the week ending January 13, 2024 – which is a 3% increase from the corresponding period last year.

“Prime cattle are relatively scarce, considering strong demand from customers in the UK and Europe for in-spec steers and heifers,” Bord Bia stated.

It has said that year to date cow slaughtering’s are running about 1,700 head behind of record 2022 levels.

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Following a positive vote by Member States, the EU Commission will provide €46.7 million in compensation to Italian farmers  in areas affected by outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu).

The compensation will be financed by the agricultural reserve, with payments made to farmers before September 30, 2024.

Only farms located in regulated zones and affected by control measures caused by a series of outbreaks in 2022 will be entitled to compensation, which is expected to cover 50% of the expenditure borne by Italy.

To avoid double funding with public money, losses suffered should not have been compensated by state aid or insurance.

After the formal approval of the support measure by the EU Commission, the implementing regulation will be published in the EU Official Journal, and is expected to enter into force at the beginning of February.

Bird flu

According to the Commission, between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022, 23 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5 (bird flu) were confirmed and notified by Italy.

The species affected were chickens, laying hens, turkeys, ducks and Guinea fowls.

To prevent further spread of disease, EU regulation requires that movement restrictions are immediately established.

On the establishments located in the restricted zone, which consists in a protection zone and a surveillance zone with a radius of at least three and 10kms respectively around the affected establishment.

If necessary, stamping out measures can also be extended to poultry farms in the vicinity or to farms that have had dangerous contacts with the infected farm.

Italy immediately took all the necessary animal health and veterinary measures, including control, monitoring and preventive measures.  Protection and surveillance zones were established.

This led to a loss of production of hatching eggs, table eggs and live animals in the farms located in those areas under movement restrictions, as well as losses due to destroyed and downgraded eggs and meat.

The post EU to compensate Italian farmers with over €45 million for bird flu appeared first on Agriland.ie.

Irish pigmeat production declined by 11% in 2023 to 224,000 tonne compared to 2022, according to Bord Bia beef and livestock sector manager, Joe Burke.

Speaking at the Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar 2024 today (Friday, January 19), the livestock sector manager said that the outlook for pigmeat in 2024 anticipates some recovery for Ireland.

Live exports for pigmeat from Ireland also faced a decline by 9% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and the total share of exports to international markets fell to 52% versus 64% in 2022, according to Burke.

The fall was due to weaker demand and availability of competitive North American and Brazilian product.

Pigmeat

Meanwhile the value of exports to the UK rose by 41%, reflecting tight domestic and EU supplies.

Burke said that primary export volumes fell by 20% and export value by 13%.

Value-added pigmeat exports increased by 2% to €420 million.

Export figures for the EU pigmeat production also showed a decline, with volumes 20% lower in 2023 compared to 2022. Tighter EU pigmeat supplies are expected to continue in 2024.

Burke said that EU exports to international markets are being greatly impacted by lower-priced pigmeat from North America and Brazil.

Poultry

At the annual event, Burke also gave a review of the poultry sector in 2023.

Irish exports of primary poultry products rose by 7% to €170 million, with growth in exports to EU markets up 24%.

Value-added poultry exports were up 1% at €200 million, with 85% destined for the UK, according to Burke.

There were higher levels of poultry imports to Ireland from Brazil and Thailand, with “significantly higher” imports from Ukraine, up 76% in 2023.

Burke said that global forecasts continue to show strong growth for poultry consumption.

A stable output is expected for Irish and EU broiler meat production.

Burke added that Avian Influenza continues to be a threat for the sector.

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The European Commission has today (Wednesday, January 17) approved two Czech schemes, with a total budget of over €1.4 billion, to support farmers in preventing the spread of certain poultry and pig diseases.

The schemes aim to prevent the spread of avian influenza (bird flu), salmonella and poultry campylobacteriosis, along with porcine brucellosis, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, and salmonellosis.

The schemes, which will run until December 31, 2029 and involve a range of biosecurity measures, will be open to small, medium and large farmers in Czechia.

The aid will take the form of direct grants to support the additional costs of the cleaning of farm premises and equipment, treatment of feed and water and veterinary interventions.

The commission said that this aid will cover up to 50% of the eligible costs.

Czech schemes

The EU Commission assessed the schemes under EU State aid rules, which allows member states to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions.

The commission found that the proposed measures facilitate the production of poultry and pig meat.

It added that the schemes are necessary and appropriate to ensure that farmers put in place measures preventing the contamination of their farms and the spread of certain poultry and pig diseases.

The commission said that the schemes support general objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of ensuring long-term food security and improving the EU’s response to agriculture to societal demands on food and health.

It added that the aid will have an “incentive effect”, as the beneficiaries “would not put these measures in place without the public support”.

The aid brings about positive effects that outweigh any potential distortion of competition and trade in the EU, the commission said.

Commenting on the approval Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of EU competition policy said:

“These €1.46 billion Czech schemes will ensure the production of healthy and safe food.

“They will support farmers in adopting measures to prevent the spread of certain animal diseases, and will contribute to achieving the EU agricultural objective of ensuring long-term food security, without unduly distorting competition,” she added.

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The Environment Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of the compromise reached in late November on the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

The compromise reached in November by negotiators from both the parliament and the Council of the EU (also known as the Council of Ministers) excluded cattle farms from the scope of the directive.

The compromise was reached trough the ‘trilogue’ process, which involves negotiations on a legislative text by representatives of the parliament and the council, with the European Commission also taking part.

The final agreement rolled back on the commission’s proposal for revising the IED, which did include cattle farms, and which sparked concerns from farm organisations around Europe that beef and dairy farms above a certain stocking rate would require permits to operate.

However, the environment committee has now accepted the compromise position which excludes cattle farms following its vote late last week, with 64 committee members voting in favour and five voting against, with seven abstentions.

The one regular Irish member of the committee that voted, the Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan, voted in favour of the compromise deal.

The exclusion of cattle enterprises from the scope of the IED reform, when first announced in November, was welcomed by farm organisations in Ireland.

However, Copa-Cogeca, the umbrella group of EU farm organisations and agricultural co-operatives, took a more negative view of the agreed text on behalf of its pig and poultry farming members.

Reacting to the vote in the Environment Committee last week, Copa said on X (formally known as Twitter): “The [European Parliament Environment Committee] voted in favour of the compromise reached in trilogue on the Industrial Emissions Directive. We deeply regret the outcome of the trilogue and this vote, which brings it closer to its approval.

“The IED will penalise thousands of family pig and poultry farms across [the EU] while being unfair from a trade point of view as none of our pigs and poultry imports will have to respect similar requirements,” Copa said.

It is understood that the compromise deal will have to be voted on by the full parliament, and accepted by the full Council of Ministers, before it takes effect.

Industrial Emissions Directive

While the compromise excludes cattle farms for now, they may come within its scope at a later date.

The agreement requires the commission to undertake a review of how emissions from cattle farms should addressed.

This review will take place before December 31, 2026. The possibility remains open that cattle farms may be included in the IED sometime after that review, though it is understood that a fresh legislative proposal would be required from the commission to do so.

The original proposal to revise the IED (which covers all industry, not just agriculture, and which already applies to the largest pig and poultry operations), that was drafted by the commission would have extended the IED to many more farms, including, for the first time, cattle farms.

The commission originally proposed that livestock farms of stocking rates above 150 livestock units (LUs), would be included (a livestock unit does not necessarily equate to one animal, e.g., a dairy cow is 1LU, but a younger bovine would be less than 1LU, while a pig would be lower again, and a chicken only a small fraction of 1LU).

However, there appeared to be little appetite in the council and much of the parliament, for the inclusion of livestock farms over 150LUs.

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Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec association representing primary beef, pork and lamb processing facilities, has praised what it called the “robust performance” of the Irish meat industry.

The comments follow the publication of Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report for 2023/24.

Despite facing a complex global landscape, impacted by inflation and cost-of-living pressures, meat and livestock sector exports in 2023 delivered an export value of €4.2 billion for the year.

MII highlighted that beef exports contributed some €2.7 billion with a 2% increase in value, despite the challenging circumstances.

The orgnisation added that the Prepared Consumer Food (PCF) sector saw a “remarkable” 7% increase in value-added beef exports amounting to €255 million, with MII stating that this attested to the sector’s “adaptability and innovation”.

Beef offals also showed positive growth with a 3% increase to €140 million.

While Irish sheepmeat exports faced a 7% decline in value, primarily due to a difficult trading environment and decreased lamb demand due to cost-of-living pressures, MII said it remains optimistic about stabilising export volumes in 2024, driven by a higher carryover of 2023-born sheep into processing.

There were similar challenges for the pigmeat sector, while poultry exports performed well.

Commenting on the export performance of the meat sector, MII director, Dale Crammond said: “In the face of a challenging global market, the Irish meat industry has demonstrated its consistent ability to adapt, resulting in a virtually unchanged export value rate when compared to the previous year.

“This is despite the fact that throughput was down in 2023. This is a clear vindication of the efforts of the sector in navigating a challenging set of circumstances to continue delivering high-quality products to international markets.

“It is particularly notable that our beef exports were able to buck the trend of marginal value declines, while pigmeat and sheepmeat showcased resilience and promise for 2024.

“Our commitment to maintaining high standards and driving sustainable growth in the sector remains unwavering, and we look forward to overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in the coming year,” Crammond said.

MII also said that it acknowledged the role of our primary producer and suppliers who remain the “bedrock” of the industry.

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For the first time, the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (otherwise known as bird flu or HPAI) has today (Thursday, January 11) been detected in mammals in the sub-Antarctic.

Experts from the UK’s Animal Planet Health Agency (APHA) identified the disease in elephant and fur seals on the island of South Georgia, which is located in the southern Atlantic ocean – roughly 1,400km east of the Falkland Islands.

The island is a UK overseas territory that is only accessible by ship, and has no permanent residents due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure.

South Georgia is home to 13 mammal species, and it has some of the most closely monitored seabird colonies in the world.

Cases of bird flu were first suspected on Bird Island off the north-west coast of South Georgia in October 2023, following multiple deaths of large sea bird species, the brown skua.

It is believed that the virus likely had been introduced through migratory bird movement from South America, as a result from a sequence analysis of infected birds.

Symptoms of bird flu include:

• Loss of appetite and excessive thirst;
• Respiratory issues;
• Swollen head;
• Extreme fatigue;
• Sudden death.

The virus can affect all bird species and other animals, including cows, horses, and cats.

Leading APHA scientist, Dr. Marco Falchieri of the Influenza and Avian Virology team, spent three weeks in the sub-Antarctic region, visiting the affected islands and collected samples from dead mammals, which included elephant seals and birds.

Following testing, the samples confirmed the presence of the HPAI H5N1 in brown skuas, elephant seals, kelp gulls and fur seals.

To date, there has been no report of a suspiciously high rate of mortality in penguins.

Science manager for Bird Island Research, Ash Bennison, said: “It’s incredibly sad to witness the effects of avian flu on the animal populations we study on South Georgia.

“We are doing everything we can to mitigate the effects of this disease and are working closely with the government of South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the APHA to continue our work to monitor and conserve these amazing species.”

Laura Sinclair Willis, chief executive of the government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands added:

“The government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands anticipated that HPAI would likely arrive on our shores in the 23/24 austral summer.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of the APHA, British Antarctic Survey, Ministry of Defence and the Antarctic cruise industry, along with a global community of partners and stakeholders who are helping us to monitor the impacts within the territory.

“The transmission and spread of this disease is primarily a natural phenomenon, and we continue to emphasise the importance of scrupulous biosecurity by all those entering South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,” the chief executive said.

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Overall, Irish primary poultry exports increased by approximately 7% to over €170 million during 2023, helped by stronger poultry supplies and slightly higher unit pricing.

That’s according Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects report 2023/24 which was launched this week (Wednesday, January 10).

The global poultry industry consolidated during 2023 despite weak global economic growth and higher consumer prices according to the report.

The decline in feed prices helped boost output as the year progressed while global demand improved as consumer pricing showed signs of tapering off.

However, Rabobank has said that major operational challenges related to high costs and the impacts of avian influenza (bird flu) are keeping production growth relatively low.

Poultry

The Bord Bia report states that the Irish poultry industry benefitted from firm demand, combined with lower disease pressure in the sector.

Poultry throughput levels up to the end of October were running 4% higher at 95 million head compared to prior year levels according to Eurostat data.

For the main subcategory, chicken, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) indicated that output increased by almost 3% to 85 million head.

This reflects firm demand, with more dark chicken being sold on the Irish market as price sensitive consumers continue to seek value.

According to Kantar Worldpanel, Irish consumer spend on dark chicken meat rose by 36% to €45 million during the 52-week period ending October 29th, 2023.

While poultry meat is the most competitively positioned meat protein, there has been significant price inflation in this category, according to Bord Bia.

The board referenced data from Kantar which showed that Irish poultry retail prices increased by almost 12% for the latest 52-week period.

High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affected the duck industry during 2022, however a strong recovery was evident in 2023.

In Europe, production growth across the region continues to be impacted by HPAI, especially in France and central Europe, and the increased prevalence towards slow-growing chicken, particularly in the Netherlands.

Despite strong seasonal demand for chicken, there has been disciplined industry growth as producers remain cautious against the threat of HPAI and geopolitical tensions that could cause another spike in production costs.

Exports

Increased poultry shipments to the EU helped to offset lower exports to the UK region. Key markets within Europe include the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Germany.

The Bord Bia reports stated that the Spanish market continues to show strong growth reflecting the penetration of the retail channel for dark poultry meat products, with exports more than doubling to almost €9 million during the year.

Elsewhere, poultry shipments to international markets were 19% higher at over €36 million.

Market access conditions to South Africa improved during the year, and exports also increased to other African markets such as Guinea, Ghana, and Benin.

Outlook

The outlook for the global poultry industry will be helped by improving demand and lower costs in 202, Bord Bia has said.

Europe’s market conditions look positive, but the industry faces pressure from rising imports, especially increased chicken imports from the Ukraine which jumped by 78% for the year to July.

European consumer spending is expected to come under further pressure. This squeeze on spending, according to Rabobank, is likely to cause further switching into the chicken category, with pork pricing expected to remain at elevated levels.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also stated that HPAI remains a concern for the global poultry industry, and now that the virus has spread to most regions, increased global risk for production and trade will be evident.

If commercial flocks in any of the three key Brazilian producing regions are impacted, then the effect on global markets could be significant for the animal protein sector.

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Yesterday saw the release of Bord Bia’s Exports Performance and Prospects Report 2023/24, which revealed the value of Irish agri-food exports last year.

In what was a challenging year for various reasons, Irish food exports saw a 4% decline in value compared to 2022, with exports amounting to around €16.3 billion last year.

However, that was on the back of a “record breaking” 2022, which saw the value of exports increase 22% on 2021.

Export value in 2023 remains 24% higher than in 2019.

Agriland has covered the most important points from the report across the various commodity categories.

Looking in more detail at the destination for Irish agri-food exports in 2023, exports to the EU saw a slight decline in 2023 of 2%, and were worth €5.8 billion last year.

The share of total exports destined for the EU market remained at around 36% in 2023, a similar figure to 2022.

France, Germany and the Netherlands accounted for 60% of sales to the EU. However, the combined value of sales to these markets declined by 7% last year, due to lower dairy exports.

The UK remains the largest single-country destination for Irish food and drink exports, valued at an estimated €5.6 billion last year.

The report estimates the share of total exports destined for the UK in 2023 at 34%, up 2% on 2022.

This share of exports remains lower than the trading levels before the UK’s referendum to leave the EU, Bord Bia said.

The increase in exports to the UK in 2023 is largely as a result of higher exports of meat and livestock; drink; and prepared consumer foods (PCFs), which, combined, increased in value by some €250 million.

The value of trade to international markets (i.e. outside the UK and EU) notably fell by 10% in 2023 to €4.9 billion. This decline reflected reduced exports to North America, particularly drink.

As well as that, exports to Asia were lower in 2023 across almost all categories, notably dairy and pigmeat, decreasing by 3% and 24% respectively.

In 2023, 30% of Irish food and drink exports, in terms of value, went to international markets, a decrease from the 32% export share in 2022.

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Irish pig producers reduced their average holding size over the past 18 months according to the latest report from Bord Bia.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue launched the Bord Bia Export Performance and Prospects report for 2023/2024 today (Wednesday, January 10).

According to the report, Irish pig producers followed the same trend as their European counterparts in reducing the size of their holdings.

This impacted on output levels during 2023 with the volume of Irish pigmeat exports (excluding value-added pigmeat) 20% lower than 2022 levels at 189,000t.

According to Bord Bia, equivalent export values were almost 13% lower at €475 million, despite higher unit pricing offsetting the significant reduction in export volumes as the year progressed.

Pigmeat supply chain

The report also states that changes in international market demand combined with higher costs of production over the last number of years has challenged the EU pigmeat supply chain.

Across Europe, producers responded to low producer prices, rising animal welfare issues and environmental concerns by reducing their holding size in key regions.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Irish pigmeat production fell by almost 11% to just over 224,000t for the first nine months of 2023 compared to prior year levels, reflecting a decrease in both pig supplies and carcass weights.

For the last quarter of 2023, Irish pigmeat production remained tight as producers took a cautious approach to expanding production against a backdrop of ongoing high relative production costs.

Despite EU pig prices breaking record levels during 2023, pig producers across the EU continued to exit the industry.

The June 2023 Livestock Census showed a decline of 2% or 233,000 head compared to prior year levels.

Significant pig producing member states such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland and Denmark recorded lower numbers (Eurostat, 2023b).

This reflects producers taking a more cautious attitude to expanding production, especially against a backdrop of legacy debt from the cost of production crisis.

Rabobank has previously indicated that in northern Europe, higher animal welfare and environmental standards are forcing some producers to exit the industry.

However, some increase in the Spanish and Italian pig breeding herd helped to partially offset the ongoing decline in European numbers according to Eurostat.

Following on from the record EU pig producer prices that were set during the second half of 2022 in response to tighter supplies, 2023 saw continued strong prices, with Irish prices hitting record highs of €2.24 per kg deadweight excluding VAT by the end of August.

However, some decline in pig pricing was reported during the last quarter of 2023.

Exports

Shipments of Irish pigmeat to international markets fell during 2023 with these markets now accounting for 52% of exports compared to 64% during 2022.

This reflects weak demand across the Asian region, with exports to China, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea impacted by weak import demand levels as EU pigmeat suppliers were less competitive relative to the US and Brazil, according to Bord Bia.

In addition, due to the pattern of lower Northern American prices throughout the year, shipments of pigmeat to this region were back by 45% to €20 million.

Compensating for lower international demand, exports to the UK increased by 41% to approximately €133 million reflecting extremely tight UK supplies.

Irish pigmeat shipments to EU markets were 7% lower at €94 million.

Outlook

According to the report, global pigmeat production is forecast to remain unchanged in 2024, with lower output in China anticipated to offset increases in Brazil, Vietnam and the United States.

Chinese production levels are forecast to fall by 1% to 56 million tonnes. While the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting higher American production, some industry analysts believe that a significant production correction is facing the industry on the back of prolonged losses.

The EU pig industry continues to readjust from weak domestic consumption, and a lack of new markets to replace China by aligning production with lower demand levels.

The European Commission last year stated that EU pigmeat production is expected to increase marginally.

EU production in 2024 is expected to be around 10% lower than 2021, reflecting the structural changes that are occurring which is putting significant downward pressure on production.

Irish pigmeat production is expected to gradually recover from the first quarter of 2024, reflecting some recovery in the pig breeding herd on the back of higher prices and some downward readjustment in production costs.

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The value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports was down 4% last year compared to 2022, according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2023/24, which was launched today (Wednesday, January 10).

The value of Irish food exports for last year came to almost €16.3 billion, a drop on the 2022 figure of around €16.7 billion, which was a “record breaking” increase of 22% on the 2021 figure.

The figure for 2023 remains 24% higher than the export value of Irish food in 2019.

Bord Bia said that exports were impacted by inflation and the cost-of-living challenge which continued to affect consumer spending last year, in addition to “significant” downward pressure on trade prices.

The food board added that the industry’s ability to retain much of the growth from 2022 represented “a solid performance in a challenging global marketplace”.

Commenting on the final 2023 export value of Irish agri-food, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said: “We are living through a period of huge flux, with climate change, inflation, geopolitical instability, and cost of living challenges all affecting the global economy and export performance.

“Despite this incredibly challenging environment, Ireland has continued to build on its reputation as a sustainable producer and supplier of high-quality food,” the minister added.

Dairy

The dairy sector, which accounts for almost 40% of overall Irish food and drink exports, saw export value decline by 8% to €6.3 billion in 2023 (€6.8 billion in 2022).

The decline in the value of butter and casein exports was partly offset by increases in the value of cheese, specialist nutritional powders, yoghurt, and whole milk powder.

The value of butter exports declined by 12% to €1.3 billion during the year, while the value of cheese exports increased by 4% to the same figure of €1.3 billion.

These swings left butter and cheese as the joint top two products in the dairy category, each accounting for 21% of the sector’s export value.

Milk collections in Ireland declined by almost 2% on 2022 levels, as poor weather led to difficult grazing conditions. This was the first year of decline since production quotas were lifted in 2015.

Meat and livestock

The value of meat and livestock exports saw a 1% decline to €4.2 billion in 2023, as increases in the value of beef, poultry and live exports were offset by lower value in sheepmeat and pigmeat exports.

The total value of primary beef exports – which represent 65% of all exports in this category – is estimated to have increased by 2% to €2.7 billion. Beef offals, meanwhile, were valued at €140 million, an increase of 3%.

The value of sheepmeat exports, meanwhile, stood at around €440 million in 2023, a decline of about 7%, bringing to an end year-on-year growth in export value since 2014.

Export value of pigmeat decreased by 13% last year, to €475 million, with higher unit prices outstripped by a significant reduction in the volume of pigmeat exported.

The export of live animals was valued at an estimated €265 million during 2023, an increase of 13% year-on-year. Cattle exports accounted for most of the live export trade, with 332,000 animals exported, valued at €190 million.

Other food exports

The prepared consumer foods (PCFs) sector had a strong year in value terms, with sales increasing by about 7% to around €3.1 billion, thanks to increased exports of meal solutions, bakery products, and soft drinks and juices.

Increases in export values were seen across the core categories of meal solutions (+11%), bakery (+10%), soft drinks (+10%), chocolate and confectionery (+12%) and value-added meats (+3%), the latter of which includes value-added beef, which grew in value by 7% to €255 million.

On the other hand, Bord Bia said that the volume growth was muted for PCFs, particularly to the UK market, due in part to the cost of living issue for consumers.

The value of drink exports declined by 8% to €1.8 billion due largely to short-term market factors in the North American spirits sector.

Irish whiskey, which represents almost half of all drink exports, saw sales decline by 14% to €875 million. Irish cream liqueur sales were down 9% to €370 million.

However, beer and cider exports each increased by 11%, to €330 million and €80 million respectively.

Exports of Irish horticulture and cereals were valued at €295 million in 2023, representing a 6% decline on the previous year.

Mushrooms account for almost 50% of total export value in this category, and Bord Bia said that sector had a “reasonable year” in the UK – the main market for Irish mushrooms – where sales increased in value, despite lower volumes.

Prospects for 2024 food exports

The Performance and Prospects Report is partially based on the results of Bord Bia’s exporter sentiment study, which found that 73% of Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about expected market growth in 2024.

However, 53% of Irish food and drink companies believe their competitiveness has been eroded over the past 12 months, with energy prices, inflation and labour costs having the biggest impact.

Commenting on the coming 12 months, Bord Bia CEO Jim O’ Toole indicated subdued expectations.

“Looking ahead, market volatility and inflation, although slowly easing, will continue to be two key factors for this year, while input and labour costs remain a risk to competitiveness. As such, the market for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports will remain challenged this year,” O’Toole said.

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A Co. Cork pig farmer has been fined thousands of euro as a result of the first prosecution by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2024.

The pig farmer, who was not identified by the EPA, pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court on January 4, 2024 to two offences.

These included that:

• On or about April 5, 2022 he did “carry on an activity within the meaning of Class 6.2 of the First Schedule of the EPA Act 1992” – which was “the rearing of pigs in an installation where the capacity exceeds 750 places for sows or 2000 places for production pigs which are over 30kg, in the absence of a licence or revised licence being in force”.
• On or about May 6, 2022 he did “carry on an activity within the meaning of Class 6.2 of the First Schedule of the EPA Act 1992″ – which the rearing of pigs in an installation where the capacity exceeds 750 places for sows or 2000 places for production pigs which are over 30kg, in the absence of a licence or revised licence being in force”.

Judge James McNulty convicted the pig farmer on both charges and imposed a fine of €3,000 for each offence.  

Agency costs were also agreed.

Local authorities

Separately the EPA recently warned that local authorities must “prioritise environmental protection” to improve air and water quality and increase waste recycling

According to the agency local authorities “play a vital role in protecting our environment” and carried out over 197,000 environmental inspections in 2022.

But it also warned that more local authority farm inspections and “follow-up enforcement is needed to reduce the impact of agricultural activities on water quality”.

The EPA highlighted that while the number of local authority farm inspections increased during 2022, “the number is still too low”.

“More farm inspections and follow-up enforcement is needed to reduce the risk of agricultural activities negatively impacting on water quality and to drive compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Regulations.

“The National Agricultural Inspection Programme, which commenced in 2022, sets out a risk-based approach to the targeting of inspections using the EPA’s Targeting Agricultural Measures Map.

“A priority for this winter (2023/2024) is that local authorities monitor that there is no spreading of soiled water, slurry or fertiliser on farmlands in the closed season or under unsuitable weather or soil conditions,” it added.

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The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that poultry farmers “will not tolerate any reduction in the margin they receive” amid reductions in consumer prices by some retailers.

Both Aldi and Lidl have announced cuts to prices for a range of agri-food products in recent days, sparking concern from farm organisation that this reduction in price will be passed back to farmers through the prices they receive.

Commenting on the cuts, IFA poultry chairperson Nigel Sweetnam said: “Supermarkets are demanding premium product at world commodity prices with little or no regard to producers’ or processors’ costs of production, which are still substantially higher than the last time we were in negotiations.

“We have to be paid properly.

“Any reduction in farmers margins will inevitably lead to farmers going out of business, as has already happened in the vegetable sector,” Sweetnam added.

“It will not be tolerated. We will take whatever steps are required to ensure the survival of family farms that are producing quality, affordable and healthy food in the most sustainable manner,” he said.

The IFA poultry chairperson added: “At a time of increasing costs, it is neither realistic nor acceptable to ask farmers to work for nothing, particularly as poultry farmers have such huge investments in buildings and facilities.”

Lidl has this week confirmed a price drop of up to 35% across 100 items within its everyday range including fresh and frozen foods, cupboard staples, bakery items, and home essentials.

The retailer said that it has already significantly reduced prices of more than 600 products since October 2023.

Also this week, Aldi confirmed a new series of price cuts of up to 23% across a range of products, including Irish beef burgers, free-range chicken fillets, and fat-free Greek yoghurt.

The retailer said that the cost of a typical trolley of its most popular goods has reduced from €121 to €106.

Responding to the price reductions, outgoing IFA president Tim Cullinan said that farmers will be “very sceptical” over the cuts.

This view was echoed by the new president of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, who said that the price cuts have offered the newly operational An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Food Regulatory Office) its “first real test”.

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The UK’s National Pig Association (NPA) has said that 57t of illegally imported pigmeat being seized at the Port of Dover since 2022 is “extremely worrying”.

This figure includes 5.5t of illegal pigmeat seized at the Port of Dover over the weekend just before Christmas.

The NPA’s chief executive, Lizzie Wilson, said the revelations came from port health manager at Dover District Council, Beverley Edmondson.

In an article for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Edmondson said the large quantities of illegally imported meat being seized by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) at the port could be just the “tip of the iceberg”.

The NPA said the seizures of illegally imported meat expose a risk of African swine fever (ASF).

“With ASF continuing to spread in Europe, often by human mediated routes, this highlights the very real risk to our national pig herd,” Wilson said.

“We have been calling on government to ensure there are no further delays in introducing the Border TOM [target operating model] and to increase border controls for illegal meat imports as it is clear this vital work must be maintained and strengthened wherever possible.”

The NPA has recently called for the UK government to implement a number of steps to prevent and prepare for an outbreak of ASF.

The association said the British pig sector’s concerns have been exacerbated by delays in border checks on EU meat imports.

The NPA also said it was concerned at a lack of “preparedness” in the event that ASF does reach the UK pig herd.

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Recommendations have been published by university researchers for the reduction of the disease risks posed to public health by intensive pig and poultry farms that are situated in close proximity to each other, known as mixed pig/poultry farms.

This research was conducted between the University of Winchester and Griffith University, with a focus on mixed pig/poultry farms in the UK.

Avian and swine influenzas are of the most concerning due to several factors, including the numerous type A influenza virus subtypes hosted in these animals, as type A is the most widespread.

Other factors include: the vast numbers of farmed pigs and poultry; how farmed poultry and pigs are kept; the presence of both domesticated and wild birds and swine; and the close proximity of farmed pigs and poultry to humans.

Many species of natural avian influenza hosts are migratory species, which facilitates the international spread of AIVs (avian influenza viruses).

Pigs are natural hosts for several influenza viruses, though of fewer types than birds.

The world saw its largest highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in 2022, causing the culling or death of over 130m domesticated birds globally, and at least 50,000 wild birds in the UK alone.

It has now reached 81 countries and five continents, after spreading into Antarctica in October 2023.

The following eight factors account for the higher risk of viral infection among domesticated mammals:

• High population numbers among farmed pigs, farmed chickens, and humans;
• How the vast majority of farmed pigs and chickens are kept;
• How the vast majority of farmed pigs and chickens are bred;
• Close proximity of farmed pigs and chickens to humans (staff);
• The globalized and international nature of industrialized intensive animal farming (IIAF);
• The high land/resource requirements of IIAF disrupting ecosystems and increasing proximity to wild animals;
• The locations of IIAF operations;
• Misperceptions of low risks to and posed by farmed animals.

Biosecurity practices alone are proving insufficient at lowering the risk of zoonotic disease to a manageable level, as demonstrated by indoor systems with good biosecurity that are still acquiring influenzas.

Recommendations

The university researchers strongly discourage granting any planning applications for new or expanding industrialized intensive animal farms in the UK, especially poultry and pig farms or a mix thereof, and especially in areas with high-existing concentrations of intensive animal farms.

Instead, they recommend that efforts should concentrate on supporting arable agriculture (or transitions toward this), and on de-intensifying remaining animal farms.

As a recommended first step, stocking densities should be lowered to around five meat chickens/m² (11 kg/m²) and to one pig/1.5 m² (assuming a 100kg pig).

These recommendations, according to the researchers, are essential for minimizing stress and safeguarding immune system health, and therefore, essential for minimizing zoonoses risks.

They include the reduction of “clusters of operations” (IIAF farms that are in close proximity) to reduce transmission risks, as dust particles can carry viruses and be wind-carried between farms.

There are also calls in the research for improved breeding practices, away from a focus on maximizing productivity, and toward lowered susceptibility to infection, and optimal overall health and welfare.

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Turkey farmer, Fiona Curran, from Kells, Co. Meath said it is “great” to be able to say that everything on her family’s plates this Christmas will have come from their own farm.

Fiona has been rearing bronze organic turkeys since about 2007, having around 100 birds at a time, to increase the “viability” of the farm.

Between Fiona, her husband John, and three daughters Mary, Anna and Lucy, they run a fully organic suckler, sheep, store lamb and turkey farm.

The family also grow barley and supply oats to Flahavan’s.

Turkey rearing

Fiona described the rearing of turkeys as “not too difficult”, but said that “it does require a lot of time in setting up and making sure everything is right”.

Fiona usually takes in turkeys from about August or early-September time.

The turkeys are kept outside every day, and only taken into the shed at night.

This is the first year that the Curran’s have grown all of their own meal.

In previous years, the family would have bought some organic meal, but Fiona said that prices had gotten “too high”.

Looking at 2022 in particular, Fiona described input costs at the time for the farm as “horrendous”.

She said that bedding, meal, costs of chicks and even slaughtering all saw increases in prices by about 10%.

She added that while input costs are still high this year, that growing their own crops will allow them to “hopefully reclaim some of the costs”.

Before feeding the turkeys, the bird’s meal is steeped in water to make it easier for them to eat.

Fiona said that most commercial meal contains grit for the turkey’s craw, but because she supplies all of the food herself, she is sure to add sand and gravel on the ground.

The meal mainly consists of oats, barley, peas and beans, however Fiona said that turkeys are “happy to eat a lot of things” and added that they “come in handy for preventing waste”.

While the family refrain from using any pesticides, their yard is “nettle free”, as the often unwanted plant is a “fan favourite with the turkeys along with cabbage”, according to Fiona.

The family also grow their own apples on the farm, and while they try to consume as many as they can themselves, the turkeys are happy to come to the rescue and take the leftovers.

Before the turkeys are killed, they are tested live by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for both bird flu and salmonella.

The turkeys are then sent away just in time for the busy season, about two weeks before Christmas day.

The turkeys are slaughtered and processed by Hogans farm, based in Cortown, Kells, Co. Meath and then sold locally.

Taste test

Fiona said that she always “taste tests” her own turkeys.

“We would have turkey in the weeks leading up to Christmas, just to make sure I was content with the product. And I’m happy when I know that everyone else buying the turkeys would have dinner as good as mine,” she said.

Fiona said she does not feel the need to advertise her turkeys, as she doesn’t have the time and that “they sell themselves”.

The family dinner is always served with the Curran’s own grown potatoes, carrots, parsnips and kale.

“We have apple tart after dinner, which everyone loves. The apples come from the yard too, there’s never anything too fancy.

“It’s great to be able to say that everything on our plate will have come from the farm,” Fiona said.

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The results of a Safefood survey, completed in October this year, show that 57% of people find cooking Christmas dinner somewhat stressful, although they enjoy the end results.

Just over half of the survey respondents were cooking for between five and ten people, which might not be something that they are used to.

Agriland caught up with director of food safety with Safefood, Trish Twohig, to provide some steps to try and minimise the stress of cooking this Christmas day, and to ensure we all stay safe.

Step one: Get prepared to avoid waste when cooking

Twohig said this can be done by writing a shopping list and “not over buying”.

Step two: Defrost your turkey properly

Twohig advised that a turkey should be defrosted on the bottom shelf of the fridge. The turkey should be defrosted for 24 hours per 4-5 pounds, or 1.8-2.2kg.

The meat should be soft to touch when the turkey is fully defrosted, the legs should easily move and there should be no ice crystals in the cavity.

Step three: Minimise handling

By minimising handling, cross contamination can be avoided, according to Twohig.

She added that many people already know not to wash chicken, and that the same rule should be applied for turkey. She said the oven will do its job in killing off harmful bacteria.

Step four: To stuff or not to stuff?

The simple answer is no, according to Twohig. She said that the turkey will simply take longer to cook when stuffing is added, causing further food poisoning risks, and will result in “drying out the turkey”.

However, some people are traditionalists and do insist on stuffing the turkey.

In this case, Twohig said to pop the stuffing in the neck of the turkey, and ensure that the stuffing is no more than 10% of the weight of the turkey.

Step five: Cook your turkey correctly

Twohig warned that cross contamination from raw poultry is “one of the main causes of food poisoning”.

She said that Campylobacter, or Salmonella, are the main strands of food poisoning associated with turkey.

“For some people it might be a minor inconvenience for a few days, but for others particularly in vulnerable groups, it could be quite serious,” Twohig said.

To avoid sickness for yourself or loved ones this Christmas, Twohig said it is a “general rule of thumb” to cook your turkey at 180°C for 20 minutes/pound, followed by an additional 20 minutes at the end of cooking.

To ensure you are definitely following calculations correctly, Safefood has a “turkey calculator” on its website, where you add details on what time you want to be eating your dinner at, the type of oven you are using, the particular cut of your turkey, and its weight.

The calculator will tell you how long to cook your turkey for and what time you should start the process.

Step six: Test that your turkey is cooked correctly

Twohig said that the general rules provided for cooking turkey are only a “guideline”, and there was no way of actually telling how efficient someone’s oven was.

She said to always test that turkey is fully cooked by ensuring that the thickest part of the turkey is piping hot inside, that juices in the turkey are running clear, and that there is no pink meat remaining.

Twohig added that the use of a meat thermometer is advised, which can be bought in homeware shops, or even in some butchers.

Step seven: Store your leftovers

There always seems to be an endless amount of food at Christmas, and when it can’t all be eaten around the table on Christmas day, Twohig said it should be stored correctly and can be reused in numerous different ways.

The food should be cooled within two hours, covered and put in the fridge. The food can then be reheated up to three days after cooking.

On reheating, it should be brought to “piping hot again”, according to Twohig.

If the food is not eaten on the “second round of reheating”, then it should not be cooked again, due to food poisoning risks.

Twohig said food can also be frozen on the day of cooking. She said to do this, it must be sealed “very well”, to “avoid freezer burn”.

There are some recipes for cooking, using Christmas leftovers over on the Safefood website.

Step eight: Make sure to enjoy your meal

Twohig said the most important thing is to enjoy your Christmas dinner.

The director of food safety’s personal favourite is serving a turkey crown – she said it helps to avoid waste.

Twohig added that if the controversial brussel sprouts are not a fan favourite in your house, then maybe leave them behind this year to avoid waste.

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Wexford native, James Cullen, a PhD student in the Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC) at South East Technological University (SETU), was recently awarded £3,000 through the Society of Feed Technologists’ Edgar Pye Research Scholarship fund for research on pig feeding.

Cullen, a graduate of the BSc in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science and a final year PhD student, was one of only three awardees of this competitive fund. 

The award was based on his proposal to investigate the impact of sanitisation of a liquid feeding system for pigs on the bacterial and fungal microbiota of liquid feed and of the liquid feeding system itself. 

As part of the award, James Cullen, from Foulksmills, Co. Wexford, was invited to present his findings at the Society of Feed Technologists/Pig Veterinary Society joint pig conference, held in Birmingham in November.

Hygiene of pig feeding systems

Earlier this year, James was also awarded the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) Industry Prize Award, which was sponsored by Kepak.

He presented his work on optimising the hygiene of liquid feeding systems for pigs at the 2023 BSAS conference. 

Based on his submission, James was shortlisted to give an additional presentation to industry representatives to highlight the impact of his research and based on this, he was awarded the industry prize. 

James’ PhD focuses on the microbial quality of liquid feed for pigs and how strategies to optimise feed microbial quality might impact the feed and pig gut microbiome. 

The PhD is supervised by Prof. Gillian Gardiner from the EIRC within SETU Waterford’s Department of Science; Dr. Peadar Lawlor from the Pig Development Department at Teagasc Moorepark; and Dr. Paul Cormican from the Animal Bioscience Research Centre at Teagasc Grange.

James Cullen is funded by an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland postgraduate scholarship, a SETU PhD scholarship and a Higher Education Authority grant.

Speaking of his gratitude for being awarded both the Edgar Pye Research Scholarship and the BSAS Industry Prize Award, James said: “Being awarded the Edgar Pye Research Scholarship was hugely beneficial, allowing me to perform more research in the area of liquid feeding systems, and to present the work to the feed industry.

“I was also delighted to be able to demonstrate the positive impact of my research on the pig production industry at BSAS 2023 and was honoured to receive the BSAS Industry Award in recognition of this.”

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The rate of detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI/bird flu) viruses in wild birds in Europe has risen in recent weeks according to a new scientific study.

The latest quarterly report on bird flu published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the EU reference laboratory (EURL) suggests the increase in cases began later in 2023 than in previous years.

“This is possibly due to a delay in the autumn migration of several waterbird species.

“As circulation of the virus among wild birds increases over the winter period, so too does the risk of outbreaks in poultry establishments,” the latest report highlighted.

According to the EFSA despite the delay in rise of detections there is a “higher risk still expected in upcoming months”.

The latest scientific study shows that common cranes were the most “frequently affected species” in relation to the HPAI virus between September to December 2023 in Europe.

Most outbreaks of the virus reported in poultry farms were “primary outbreaks following the introduction of the virus by wild birds”.

Wild birds

Between September, 2 and December 1, 2023, instances of bird flu were reported in 88 domestic birds and 175 wild birds across 23 European countries. 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is continuing to monitor any indication of the HPAI virus in wild birds to “inform the risks presented to poultry and captive birds”.

It has also advised all owners of poultry and captive birds to maintain “strict biosecurity standards at all times”.

According to the latest quarterly report on bird flu seven out of the 11 genotypes of HPAI (bird flu) virus identified in Europe were new and affected different wild bird species, particularly common cranes.

HPAI virus

Separately the report also noted that the HPAI virus was detected in wild birds and mammals in the Antarctic region for the first time.

Overall the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has assessed that the risk of infection with the virus in Europe remains “low for the general public, and low to moderate for occupationally or otherwise exposed people to infected birds or mammals – wild or domestic.

It has advised that that to further reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend “avoiding exposure” to dead or diseased seabirds or mammals.

According to the European Food Safety Authority a new active surveillance network should be established to monitor bird flu.

Currently a total of 31 countries have surveillance programmes in place to detect outbreaks of HPAI virus in poultry and wild birds – particularly migratory wild birds, which are considered the main source of bird flu entering poultry farms.

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Milk prices decreased by over 38% in October 2023 when compared to the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

In the 12 months to October 2023, the Agricultural Output Price Index has dropped 16.7%, while the Agricultural Input Price Index was down by 14.8% over the same period.

The Agricultural Price Indices October 2023, published today (Monday, December 11), shows that cereal prices were down by 31.6% in a year and cattle prices were down slightly (-0.5%).

However, pig prices rose by 9.6% in the 12-month period, sheep were up 2.3%, poultry rose 3.6% and egg prices were up by almost 7%.

The price of potatoes increased by 65.7% and vegetables were up by 14.6%.

CSO

Over the 12 months to October 2023, the CSO noted that there were significant reductions in the input prices recorded for fertiliser (-47%), feed (-11.1%), and energy (-6.7%).

Electricity prices were down by 5.3%, motor fuels fell by 7.4% and the price lubricants was down by 3.8%.

The cost of veterinary expenses for farmers increased by 6% in the year up to October 2023, while the cost of plant protection products rose by 7.6%.

Commenting on the data Donal Kelly, senior statistician in the CSO Agriculture Division, said:

“The latest results for October continue the general downward trend in both the input and output price indices since the start of the year.

“On a monthly basis, the Agricultural Output Price index was down by 1.3%, while the Agricultural Input Price index fell by 0.8%, when compared with September 2023.

“The most noticeable monthly decreases in the output price sub-indices were in the price of pigs which fell by 4.6% and cattle by 2.6%, compared with September 2023.

“The monthly input price sub-indices show a decline of 2.1% was recorded in feed prices, while electricity prices were down by 1.7%,” he said.

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The poultry chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Nigel Sweetnam said the sector is thankful that Avian Influenza (bird flu) has stayed away and there is “no threat” to the Christmas dinner.

However, there has been a “huge cutback” on the supply of farm fresh turkeys, with a lot of producers having to cut back to half of the stock they would have normally kept, he said.

While there are about 100 artisan turkey producers and up to 100 commercial turkey growers, fewer butchers and access to processing facilities are the main problems, he said.

There are one or two large turkey processing factories in Ireland, as well as a couple of smaller ones, he said adding that there is a risk of cross contamination in the supply chain.

The risk that a farm fresh turkey, especially a free-range one, brings salmonella or bird flu into a processing plant is “way larger” from small producers than from commercial producers.

Although expecting similar prices as last year, he said the danger is that supermarkets will pay a “good” price but discount the product and use it as a “loss leader” to get people into stores.

Potatoes and veg

There will be no shortage of potatoes for Christmas and the first couple of months next year, but supply may become tighter then with higher prices for consumer, IFA potato chair, Sean Ryan said.

Potato prices won’t go up between now and Christmas, he said adding that while prices vary between supermarkets, the cost of a 7.5kg pack would be between €7.50-€9.

Heavy rains in the summer months have washed the clay of the drills, leaving some potatoes vulnerable to rot in the field due to frost and could potentially only be harvested next spring, he said.

While the potato harvest ideally would have finished at the end of October, he said that, as of last week, there could be some growers that have 20-40% left to harvest, however areas differ.

Harvesting any root crop this year has been very tough, which has contributed to an increase in the cost of production, IFA fruit and vegetable chair, Niall McCormack said.

Yields are back with some carrots and other root veg that hasn’t been harvested. “It’s inevitable that there will be some imports, whether it is done now for Christmas or later on,” he said.

Grocery prices

Kantar figures show that in the four weeks up until October 29, 2023, grocery prices for a frozen turkey were 63% higher at €3.59 than during the same period last year.

Grocery prices in Ireland for a small fresh turkey, stuffing and 500g of carrots dropped when compared to last year by 1.5% to €5.88, 1.8% to €3.41, and 9% to €0.67 respectively.

The price of other Christmas dinner staples also saw significant increases. A 2.5kg pack of potatoes was 21.5% higher at €3.74 in the four-week period than in 2022.

Compared to last year, the cost of 500g of parsnips is now 32.4% higher at €1.16, while grocery prices for 500g of sprouts rose by 2.8% to €1.36, according to Kantar.

Grocery prices for Christmas pudding, mince pies and cranberry sauce rose by 57.2% to €2.33, 19.9% to €2.23, and 15.1% to €1.57 on the same period in 2022, Kantar said.

Christmas campaign

Meanwhile, the IFA launched its Christmas Campaign in north Dublin, which is the “heart” of the Irish horticulture sector, producing seasonal vegetables for the Christmas dinner.

“The work and investment by farmers and growers provides families with the highest quality food and drink for the festive season,” IFA president, Tim Cullinan said.

He added that consumers recognise the “commitment” of farmers and growers and they can see the benefits the farming sector brings to Ireland’s economy.

Cullinan reminded retailers of their responsibility to pay a viable price to producers, stressing that “price wars” between retailers are inherently damaging to growers.

The number of fruit and vegetable growers has been in decline for the past 20 years due to margin pressures exerted on growers from the top of the food chain, he said and added:

“The [horticulture] sector is on the brink of non-viability and needs immediate attention in order to retain grower numbers and fresh produce production in Ireland.”

An investigation into the food chain is needed as soon as the work of the newly established Agri-Food Regulator officially begins next week, according to Cullinan.

“Today’s food supply chain is dominated by a small number of big players. Their dominance is determining the livelihoods and future of farmers and food producers,” Cullinan said.

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The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Pigs Committee has requested a meeting with processors in the new year to discuss drops in pig prices, future prospects, and how to fund the industry.

The request comes after the IFA held a meeting this week in Portlaoise, Co. Laois at which over 100 pig farmers attended to discuss the seven price cuts in 10 weeks.

The meeting was attended by members of the feed industry, Teagasc and Bord Bia. Processors were invited to the meeting, but did not attend.

IFA National Pig chairman Roy Gallie said that there was some “anger and disappointment” felt by farmers.

There were calls for a protest to be held by some farmers present at the meeting.

Gallie added that he recognised the meeting was held with “short notice” and that there were other functions on that day, but that it sent a “disheartening message” to farmers.

“What we really need is to have is a round table meeting between the feed industry, the pig farmers and processors,” Gallie said.

He said that the seven drops within the last three months “sent shivers up the spine of every pig farmer”.

“We know that food production is essential but it most certainly can not be taken for granted. 

“I challenge the industry, and all of us today to think outside the box of ‘the market’ and suggest achievable ideas of how the sector can generate a bigger margin for producers,” Gallie said.

Pig prices

The meeting saw presentations by commodity trader from R&H Hall, James Nolan; Tegasc pig development officer Michael McKeon; and beef and livestock sector manager with Bord Bia, Joe Burke.

Teagasc officer McKeon presented research, which showed that Irish compound feed price for 2023 remained high throughout the year, with prices falling slowly from May through to December.

The months of November and December were based on estimations, but showed the average feed price was €440/tonne.

The research also highlighted the monthly cash income for pig farmers in 2023 for an average sow unit of 600.

For the first three months of the year, pig farmers were losing money, according to Teagasc. From April, pig farmers began to make profit, which slightly rose throughout the year.

From October through to December, these profits began to decline, again based on estimations for the final two months of the year.

According to the Teagasc Outlook 2024 Economic Prospects for Agriculture report published this week it will continue to decrease in 2024 by 11%, while a small drop in production costs is also expected.

Based on the figures, Gallie said that profitable pig farming is “essential” to pay back “bank debt amassed over the last three years” and to invest on farms.

Gallie said: “At the moment the financial rewards are cornered and retained so we the farmers simply get the left overs when all other expenses up the line have been paid. For us, this needs to change.”

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The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Pigs Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 6 in the Killeshin hotel, Portlaoise to discuss the consistent drop in pig prices.

The meeting will begin at 2:00p.m with presentations from representatives of the feed industry, Teagasc and Bord Bia.

According to Bord Bia’s most recent figures for the week ending November 26, the average price paid for grade E pig prices in Ireland stood at €2.02/kg deadweight.

The total throughput to date for 2023 stands at 2,930,785.

This is roughly 299,000 head below the corresponding period in 2022, or 9% below.

Chairman of the IFA National Pigs Committee Roy Gallie said that there needs to be an increase in people eating pig meat.

Gallie spoke about pork in shops not meeting taste standards, and said there needs to be more done to add value to meat from when it leaves the farm gate.

“It’s a great protein source and should be on a lot more restaurant menus. It should come into daily consumption to a much greater level,” Gallie said.

“There’s a lot more we can be doing at Bord Bia and at processor level to add value to pork meat, so that it can be marketed better and get more back for the farmer,” he added.

Pig prices elsewhere

Gallie said that the Chinese pig market is “suffering horrendously”, and said that “once China hiccups, we catch a cold”.

Looking at the European Union in comparison to Ireland, prices are following the pattern of steadily declining, but remain slightly higher, with the most recent average price calculated at €2.12/kg deadweight, according to Bord Bia.

Gallie said that there is nobody new coming into the pig sector and that whoever is already there is “hanging on by their gritted teeth”.

“There’s guys out there saying why am I doing this? And there’s no young people coming in. Why would a young person be attracted to an industry like this?

“People are probably thinking, if I left the sector now could I pay my debts off? But what a way to exit the industry. With nothing to show for all your work,” Gallie said.

According to the Teagasc Outlook 2024 Economic Prospects for Agriculture report published this week it will continue to decrease in 2024 by 11%, while a small drop in production costs is also expected.

Irish pig production is forecasted by Teagasc to increase slightly in 2024, and the margin over feed should drop to 61c/kg.

Gallie said with the rise of soya and labour, “we’re heading very close to break even again”.

“The only bit of money that we made during the year has gone to pay back a debt that we’ve built up over the last two years and it has far from filled the hole,” he said.

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