Editorial - EU Approaches Crisis Point over GM Issue

The turmoil in the EU over the future use of genetically modified (GM) crops in animal feeds is brewing into a crisis. Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, has warned agriculture ministers this week that disputes over GM crops between Member States will cause imminent feed shortages.

She added that a handful of countries are blocking the approval of GM crops. With the views of the member states so sharply divided and strongly entrenched, it is hard to see a way out of the impasse before supplies of non-GM feed supplies run out altogether.

Reactions both positive and negative are coming in to the forthcoming EU Directive on broiler welfare. The British Poultry Council (BPC) describes it as a 'big leap forward' as it will benefit all of the EU's broilers. In response to criticism from the more extreme welfare organisations that EU chickens will be farmed in conditions worse than they live in now, BPC says there can be no justification for banning farmers from having access to the higher stocking density provided that welfare conditions are met.

Last week's rumours of a take-over of Pilgrim's Pride by Brazilian meat giant, JBS, have gained ground this week as those involved in the negotiations are hinting that the acquisition looks likely to go ahead.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Aviagen Launches International Ross 308 in SA
SOUTH AFRICA - Aviagen has launched the international Ross 308 in South Africa.

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International Broiler Specialists Meet in Bavaria
GERMANY - The latest developments in broiler and hatchery management were the focus for the 30 participants of the Cobb Germany summer get-together in Bavaria.

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Claassen Receives Dieter Lütticken Award
ITALY - The Dieter Lütticken Award 2008 for alternatives into animal testing has been presented to Dr Ivo Claassen of the Netherlands.

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Petersime Appoints Distributor for Philippines
PHILIPPINES - Petersime has appointed Pigpro Systems Inc. as distributor for The Philippines.

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Inovotabs Disinfectant Tablets Receive EPA Registration
US - Medentech, a solutions provider of clean water and cost effective disinfection solutions, recently announced that Inovotabs brand disinfectant tablets received registration from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pfizer Poultry Health holds the exclusive sale and distribution rights for the product.

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Global Poultry Industry News

General

 » BIRD FLU: Compensation Paid to Poultry Farmers
 » International Egg and Poultry Review
 » Asia a Valued Customer of US Feed Ingredients
 » New Look at Poultry/Antibiotic Resistance Link
 » Evolving Veterinary Education for a Safer World

United Kingdom

 » Long-Term Feed Price Rises Predicted
 » Minister Shows Commitment to NI Poultry Industry
 » Poultry Producers Warned over Dangers of Propane
 » No Evidence of Fall in Campylobacter in Poultry Meat
 » EU Rules on Chicken Welfare 'a Big Leap Forward'
 » Institute for Animal Health to Focus on Virology

United States

 » Concerns over Leaching from Stored Poultry Litter
 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » Welfare Abuses Alleged at Layer Hatchery
 » CME: JBS Surprises US Meat Markets
 » Salmonella-Free Guarantee for Flandreau Plant Eggs
 » US Vets Respond to Report into Intensive Production
 » JBS Acquisition of Pilgrim’s Pride Looks More Likely
 » First Humane Livestock Transportation Council Meeting
 » Antibiotic Ban Would Compromise Food Safety
 » Weekly Outlook: Corn and Soybean Storage Decisions
 » International Egg and Poultry Review
 » Forty Years of Service to be Celebrated
 » CME: Broiler-Corn Ratio Heading Downhill
 » New Gentler Line of Laying Hens Developed
 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » CME: Accuracy of Reports Dependent on Weather

South Africa

 » Why Afgri's Poultry Division Growth Was Clipped
 » SAPA Member Suspended over Welfare Abuse

Australia

 » New Managers Appointed for Poultry CRC
 » Doubts over Free-Range Egg Verification
 » Greens: 'Inhumane' Film Supports Cage Egg Ban

Mexico

 » Still Room for More US DDGS in Mexico

Denmark

 » Breeding Better Barley for Feed

Viet Nam

 » HPAI, FMD and PRRS Set to Return to Viet Nam

Philippines

 » Profits Possible from Poultry, Says SMFI Grower

India

 » Kashmir to Tax Out-of-State Poultry Imports
 » Punjab's Farmers Oppose J&K's New Import Duty

Brazil

 » CEO of Sadia Departs

Zambia

 » Better Times Ahead for Zambia's Industry
 » State Challenges Poultry Association of Zambia

European Union

 » Feed Shortage Ahead for EU Farmers

Malaysia

 » Sufficient Poultry and Meat Supply Assured

Thailand

 » VION Sells Thai Chicken Operations

Romania

 » Cargill Expands Romanian Animal Nutrition Production

Bangladesh

 » Protesters Block Highway Against Import of Eggs

That's all for this week!

Ed.