Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial – FAO Warns of Return of Bird Flu

In the last few days, the FAO has urged countries to increase their level of preparedness and surveillance of a new variant of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

FAO is urging heightened readiness and surveillance against a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 HPAI amid signs that a mutant strain of the deadly bird flu virus is spreading in Asia and beyond, with unpredictable risks to human health.

The H5N1 virus has infected 565 people since it first appeared in 2003, killing 331 of them, according to WHO figures. The latest death occurred earlier this month in Cambodia, which has registered eight cases of human infection this year – all of them fatal.

Since 2003, H5N1 has killed or forced the culling of more than 400 million domestic poultry and caused an estimated US$20 billion of economic damage across the globe before it was eliminated from most of the 63 countries infected at its peak in 2006.

However, the virus has remained endemic in six nations, although the number of outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild bird populations shrank steadily from an annual peak of 4,000 to just 302 in mid-2008. But outbreaks have risen progressively since, with almost 800 cases recorded in 2010-2011.

WHO and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are downplaying the importance of the new H5N1 variant. In a statement, OIE said: "The emergence of the H5N1 virus, such as clade 2.3.2.1 is one of such genetic mutations taking place as part of the natural evolution of the virus. This is not immediate cause for alert." The organisation did, however, add that this new development strengthens the need for close monitoring of viruses in the animal population.

On a different health issue, a new investigation has revealed flaws in the egg safety inspection system in Iowa, which was at the centre of a major food safety recall last year.

And finally, we start the new series of Global Poultry Trends, exclusive to ThePoultrySite and by seasoned industry watcher, Terry Evans. This week's article covers the trends in chicken meat production in the Americas.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Aviagen Turkeys & VOMCP to Supply Nash Johnson
US - Aviagen Turkeys Inc. and Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults (VOMCP) have signed a supply agreement with Nash Johnson.

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Feed Mill Takes Ross GP Project in Iraq to Next Level
IRAQ - Vano Group, parent company of Rasun Poultry, the Ross Grandparent (GP) distributor in Iraq, has recently completed and commissioned a state-of-the-art feed mill just outside the city of Erbil.

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New Farm Enterprise for 84,000 Broilers Inaugurated
GERMANY - Andrea and Norbert Holste have invested in their future with the building of two new poultry sheds on their farm in Schöppingen, in the district of Borken, equipped by Big Dutchman.

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Big Dutchman Opens New Facility in Araraquara
BRAZIL - Big Dutchman recently inaugurated its new Brazilian facility in the city of Araraquara, state of Sao Paulo. Nearly BRR30 million (€13 million) were invested in a property of 10 hectares (25 acres) on which nearly 16,000 square metres (172,000 square feet) were built.

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Cablevey Offers Free Registration to Pack Expo
US - Cablevey Conveyors is exhibiting at booth number S-6520 at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2011.

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Biomin to Exhibit at SPACE
FRANCE - Biomin invites visitors to SPACE to visit its booth, B36 in Hall 9.

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Saudi Dairy Group Expands in Poultry
SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi based integrated dairy foods company Almarai is taking rapidly expanding into the poultry production and processing business.

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AMINONews - 2nd Edition 2011 is Now Available
GERMANY - The Health & Nutrition Business Unit of Evonik Industries of Essen has now published the latest edition of its customer magazine, AMINONews, for the compound feed and livestock production industries.

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Global Poultry Industry News

General

 » BIRD FLU: WHO & OIE Downplay Importance of New H5N1 Variant
 » Honorary Degree for Paul Siegel from Uppsala
 » BIRD FLU: FAO Warns of New Variant
 » Parties Meet at Mexico/US Anti-Dumping Hearing

United States

 » Georgia International Poultry Short Course
 » RTC Weight Down Two Per Cent from Last Year
 » Sanderson's Results Reflect Difficult Market
 » Experts Help Cargill Improve Food Safety Programme
 » Solid Third-Quarter Results for Hormel
 » Hurricane Caused Little Damage in Delaware
 » Early Price Peak for Corn & Soybeans?
 » PepsiCo Executive to Address IEC Meeting
 » International Egg and Poultry Review: US
 » Turkey Farmer Sees Benefits of Litter Incineration
 » Low Chicken Prices Bad for Georgia's Poultry Firms
 » GHG Reporting Programme Deadline Approaches
 » Investigation Reveals Egg Safety Flaws in Iowa
 » Report Profiles Top Animal Health & Nutrition Firms
 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » US Egg Products Report - August 2011

United Kingdom

 » New Web Site for Fitness Fans
 » Mutant Chicken Gene May Bring Hypertension Cure
 » Ag Minister Compliments Moy Park During Visit
 » Concerns Raised over Egg Farm Expansion

Romania

 » Agricola Bacau Aims to Gain Market Share & Exports

India

 » Branded Egg Market Grows

Canada

 » Construction Starts on Sunnymel Plant
 » PIC to Organise Course for Welfare Auditors
 » Nadeau Poultry Launches Awareness Campaign

Malaysia

 » Hefty Fine for Chicken Wholesaler

Cambodia

 » Fifth Feed Mill Inaugurated in Cambodia

South Africa

 » Signs of Bird Flu Virus Found at Another Ostrich Farm

Armenia

 » Armenian Ag Ministry Forecasts Growth Next Year

China

 » China Faces Tough Challenge to Control Bird Flu

Swaziland

 » Poultry Imports Halted as Self-Sufficiency Reached



That's all for this week!

Ed.