Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial – Communication & Openness with Consumers is Vital

Two of the leading poultry industry organisations in the US have jointly responded to a report published earlier this week by the Pew Charitable Trust, demonstrating broiler companies' commitment to meeting and exceeding environmental regulations over litter disposal.

In a statement in response to Pew's report on the poultry industry's role in the environmental conditions in the Chesapeake Bay region in particular, the National Chicken Council and the US Poultry & Egg Association (USPoultry) stated:

"America's broiler chicken companies and the 30,000 farm families that grow broiler chickens are committed to the responsible production of food that is safe, affordable and abundant for consumers in the United States and around the world. In contrast to Pew Charitable Trust's well-known antipathy towards poultry farmers, the industry is more diligent and innovative than ever in pursuing environmental improvements. The fact that Pew seems to be unaware of the scope of environmental progress underway in the poultry community is evidence that this report is little more than a cheap shot at a responsible business."

The statement goes on to support the broiler industry on several of the particular accusations made in the Pew report.

There are many misconceptions about the poultry industry among the general public, as we know, so one of the organisations already mentioned – USPoultry – deserves credit for releasing a new video to demystify chicken and turkey production for consumers.

The video takes a behind-the-scenes look at hatcheries and poultry farms, showing sanitation practices, vaccination, feeding, litter management and the safeguarding of natural resources, as well as addressing some of those frequently asked questions, such as the feeding of hormones – which are never used, of course.

The 12-minute video is available to view on YouTube [click here].

Recently, we reported an advertising campaign by Australian chicken company, Steggles, and a follow-up article in a leading national newspaper, aimed at getting the messages across about no cages and no hormones being used in broiler production. Judging from some of the material in the blogosphere that followed, there is still some way to go.

In India, welfare groups are lobbying for a ban on modern farming methods. Humane Society International and the Animal Welfare Board of India have asked the Commerce Minister to prohibit foreign direct investment that introduces intensive farming systems. Whilst animal welfare is undoubtedly an important issue, some may feel that the proper nutrition of a large and generally poor human population should be a higher priority.

Every opportunity should be taken to show the contribution poultry farming can make to feeding a growing human population with limited global resources.

Jackie Linden

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This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Management School Celebrates 48 Years
US - The Aviagen Production Management School recently celebrates 48 years since its inception with the largest class yet.

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Inaugural Indian River Asia Assoc Meeting in Shanghai
CHINA - Aviagen recently welcomed customers from across Asia to their inaugural Indian River Asia Association (IRAA) meeting in Shanghai.

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Merck Launches New Coccivac for Breeders & Layers
US - Merck Animal Health has introduced Coccivac-D2 for broiler breeders and commercial layers in the US.

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Philip Dye to Head India Office
INDIA - Big Dutchman is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Dye as Managing Director of its representative office in India.

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Meriden Animal Health Now Offers Fusion MBX
UK - Meriden Animal Health is delighted to announce that Meri-Bond Xtra has been included in the Fusion Feed Safety Range and is now Fusion MBX.

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Global Poultry Industry News

Ghana

 » Ghana's Farming Needs Investment, Says Official

United States

 » Ready-to-Eat Chicken Products Voluntarily Recalled
 » AMI Unhappy at Proposed Labelling Requirements
 » USDA Chicken and Eggs Report - July 2011
 » FSIS Proposes Rule on Labelling Meat with Solutions
 » RTC Weight Up Five Per Cent from Last Year
 » Inaction on FTAs Hits Agrifood Industry
 » Higher Egg Prices Boost Cal-Maine's Results
 » NCSU Studies Epigenetics of Heat Tolerance
 » Recall Extended on Ready-to-Eat Chicken Products
 » Harim USA Looks Set to Acquire Allen's Assets
 » Broiler Industry Litter Management Targeted
 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » Broiler Industry Refutes Pew's Criticism
 » Video Demystifies Chicken and Turkey Production

Viet Nam

 » Poultry Killer Disease Remains a Mystery
 » Consumers Swap from Pork to Chicken

General

 » Marubeni and DOFICO Sign Agreement over Feed

United Kingdom

 » BEIC Warns of Salmonella in Spanish Eggs
 » NFU Lobbied EC over Organic Feed Regs
 » Electronic Tendering for Campylobacter Study
 » Good Welfare Costs Less than a Box of Chocolates
 » Ministers Meet with Farming Unions
 » Borriello to Head VMD

Korea, South

 » Korea Phases Out Antibiotic Use in Feed

European Union

 » Implementation of Animal Welfare Directives in the EU

Ukraine

 » MHP's Chicken Sales up Eight Per Cent for Half-Year
 » First Fast-Food Restaurant from MHP

Bangladesh

 » Govt Considers Antibiotic Imports

Russian Federation

 » Russia Cuts Pig and Poultry Imports for 2012

Egypt

 » Chicken Prices 30 Per Cent Higher Since June
 » International Poultry Meetings in 2012

Mexico

 » International Egg and Poultry Review: Mexico

Ireland

 » Minister Re-opens Welfare Scheme

Netherlands

 » DSM & Nutreco Consider Feed Firm Acquisition
 » Nutreco Records Half-Year Revenue up 14%

Canada

 » Current State of Turkey Industry Documented

Namibia

 » Centre Encourages Local Poultry Production

Germany

 » New Method May Extend Use of Feed Probiotics
 » New Case of Low-Path Bird Flu Reported

India

 » Welfare Groups Want Modern Farming Banned



That's all for this week!

Ed.