Russia has blocked imports from more U.S. pork processing plants. Among them are JBS-Swift & Co.'s plant in Worthington, Minn., according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Other plants blocked by Russia include Albert Lea Select Foods of Albert Lea, Minn.; Rupari Food Service of South Holland, Ill.; Northwood Farms of Northwood, Iowa; and Dakota Pack, of Estherville, Iowa. The ban is effective Dec. 20.
Russia has offered nothing in the way of explanation, other than to inform USDA that these plants did not meet Russian import protocol, FSIS spokeswoman Amanda Eamich told Meatingplace.com.
The latest action comes one week after Russia suspended imports from six other U.S. pork plants. That came about two weeks after Moscow banned an Indiana pork packer.
Russia is cutting its pork import quota by 200,000 tons for 2009, saying it can produce it themselves.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ebola stops Singapore-bound pork shipment
The Philippines has stopped a shipment of 50,000 tonnes of pork to Singapore after traces of low pathogenic Ebola-Reston virus were found on some hog farms in the country, officials said on Monday.
The shipment was supposed to be the country's first-ever pork export. The pork products were set to be sent to Singapore on Dec. 10 when the government voluntarily stopped the shipment due to food safety concerns, said Davinio Catbagan, director of the government's animal industry bureau.
The Ebola Reston virus scare broke out Wednesday last week when the DA and the Health department confirmed that six out of 28 hog tissues tested positive for the virus. The hogs were from four swine farms in Pandi (Bulacan province), Manaoag (Pangasinan) and backyard farms in Talavera and Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija).
The hogs from the commercial farms were immediately quarantined following the confirmation, but last week, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the hogs that were quarantined in swine farms in Luzon were all tested negative for the Ebola Reston virus strain. Yap said the case may be considered "isolated," considering that the strain had not spread and no additional cases were reported.
Following the negative results of all hogs quarantined, the RITM would most likely cease the testing of hogs from Luzon piggeries.
The shipment was supposed to be the country's first-ever pork export. The pork products were set to be sent to Singapore on Dec. 10 when the government voluntarily stopped the shipment due to food safety concerns, said Davinio Catbagan, director of the government's animal industry bureau.
The Ebola Reston virus scare broke out Wednesday last week when the DA and the Health department confirmed that six out of 28 hog tissues tested positive for the virus. The hogs were from four swine farms in Pandi (Bulacan province), Manaoag (Pangasinan) and backyard farms in Talavera and Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija).
The hogs from the commercial farms were immediately quarantined following the confirmation, but last week, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the hogs that were quarantined in swine farms in Luzon were all tested negative for the Ebola Reston virus strain. Yap said the case may be considered "isolated," considering that the strain had not spread and no additional cases were reported.
Following the negative results of all hogs quarantined, the RITM would most likely cease the testing of hogs from Luzon piggeries.
USDA recalls pork amid dioxin fears
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued three class two alerts for dioxin contamination in imported pork.
In all three cases, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) notified the FSIS of the possible dioxin contamination based on its routine surveillance testing. The FSIS said it has reason to believe that the retail locations listed received the recalled pork products.
In the first recall, Dawn International of Acton, Massachusetts is recalling approximately 33,880 pounds of fresh pork products. The second class two recall involves Tommy Moloney’s, Inc, of Long Island City, in New York. The recall involves eight-ounce packages of “Tommy Moloney’s Traditional Irish Breakfast Bacon, Made from imported Irish Pork.” The third recall involves Rupari Food Services of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
In all three cases, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) notified the FSIS of the possible dioxin contamination based on its routine surveillance testing. The FSIS said it has reason to believe that the retail locations listed received the recalled pork products.
In the first recall, Dawn International of Acton, Massachusetts is recalling approximately 33,880 pounds of fresh pork products. The second class two recall involves Tommy Moloney’s, Inc, of Long Island City, in New York. The recall involves eight-ounce packages of “Tommy Moloney’s Traditional Irish Breakfast Bacon, Made from imported Irish Pork.” The third recall involves Rupari Food Services of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
USDA recalls pork amid dioxin fears
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued three class two alerts for dioxin contamination in imported pork.
In all three cases, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) notified the FSIS of the possible dioxin contamination based on its routine surveillance testing. The FSIS said it has reason to believe that the retail locations listed received the recalled pork products.
In the first recall, Dawn International of Acton, Massachusetts is recalling approximately 33,880 pounds of fresh pork products. The second class two recall involves Tommy Moloney’s, Inc, of Long Island City, in New York. The recall involves eight-ounce packages of “Tommy Moloney’s Traditional Irish Breakfast Bacon, Made from imported Irish Pork.” The third recall involves Rupari Food Services of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
In all three cases, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) notified the FSIS of the possible dioxin contamination based on its routine surveillance testing. The FSIS said it has reason to believe that the retail locations listed received the recalled pork products.
In the first recall, Dawn International of Acton, Massachusetts is recalling approximately 33,880 pounds of fresh pork products. The second class two recall involves Tommy Moloney’s, Inc, of Long Island City, in New York. The recall involves eight-ounce packages of “Tommy Moloney’s Traditional Irish Breakfast Bacon, Made from imported Irish Pork.” The third recall involves Rupari Food Services of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Friday, December 12, 2008
USDA lowers meat production, export, price forecasts
USDA reduced its total U.S. meat production forecasts for 2008 and 2009 from last month, reflecting lower forecasts for all meats in 2008 and lower forecasts for beef and poultry more than offsetting predicted production gains in pork in 2009, according to the agency's monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand report.
Beef
U.S. beef production for 2008 was reduced to 26.589 billion pounds from 26.699 a month ago. USDA predicts cattle placements for the remainder of 2008 will decrease, resulting in reduced beef production during the first half of 2009.
The agency barely changed its beef export forecasts from last month, reflecting actual third-quarter data. Beef exports in 2008 were raised ever so slightly to 1.860 billion pounds from 1.841 billion pounds forecast in November. USDA maintained its 2009 forecast for beef exports at 1.900 billion pounds. International demand is expected to remain weak amid economic uncertainty, and a stronger U.S. dollar may further dampen sales, the agency said.
USDA lowered its average Choice steer price (Nebraska, Direct, 1,000-1,300 pounds) for 2008 to $92.59 per hundredweight from $93.22 projected in November. For 2009, the agency lowered its average price range forecast to $92 to $99 from $93 to $100 last month.
Pork
U.S. pork production for 2008 was reduced somewhat to 23.419 billion pounds from 23.452 billion pounds projected last month. USDA raised its pork production forecast for 2009, saying lower feed costs result in slightly heavier weights.
Pork export forecasts are reduced for 2008 and 2009 for the same factors affecting beef exports. USDA lowered its 2008 export forecast to 4.769 billion pounds from 5.068 billion pounds last month. For 2009, the agency reduced its forecast to 4.100 billion pounds from 4.500 billion pounds predicted in November.
USDA dropped its average barrows and gilts (live equivalent 51-52 percent lean) price estimate for 2008 to $47.73 per hundredweight from $47.86 per hundredweight projected last month. For 2009, the agency maintained its predicted range of $48 to $52.
Beef
U.S. beef production for 2008 was reduced to 26.589 billion pounds from 26.699 a month ago. USDA predicts cattle placements for the remainder of 2008 will decrease, resulting in reduced beef production during the first half of 2009.
The agency barely changed its beef export forecasts from last month, reflecting actual third-quarter data. Beef exports in 2008 were raised ever so slightly to 1.860 billion pounds from 1.841 billion pounds forecast in November. USDA maintained its 2009 forecast for beef exports at 1.900 billion pounds. International demand is expected to remain weak amid economic uncertainty, and a stronger U.S. dollar may further dampen sales, the agency said.
USDA lowered its average Choice steer price (Nebraska, Direct, 1,000-1,300 pounds) for 2008 to $92.59 per hundredweight from $93.22 projected in November. For 2009, the agency lowered its average price range forecast to $92 to $99 from $93 to $100 last month.
Pork
U.S. pork production for 2008 was reduced somewhat to 23.419 billion pounds from 23.452 billion pounds projected last month. USDA raised its pork production forecast for 2009, saying lower feed costs result in slightly heavier weights.
Pork export forecasts are reduced for 2008 and 2009 for the same factors affecting beef exports. USDA lowered its 2008 export forecast to 4.769 billion pounds from 5.068 billion pounds last month. For 2009, the agency reduced its forecast to 4.100 billion pounds from 4.500 billion pounds predicted in November.
USDA dropped its average barrows and gilts (live equivalent 51-52 percent lean) price estimate for 2008 to $47.73 per hundredweight from $47.86 per hundredweight projected last month. For 2009, the agency maintained its predicted range of $48 to $52.
USDA lowers meat production, export, price forecasts
USDA reduced its total U.S. meat production forecasts for 2008 and 2009 from last month, reflecting lower forecasts for all meats in 2008 and lower forecasts for beef and poultry more than offsetting predicted production gains in pork in 2009, according to the agency's monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand report.
Beef
U.S. beef production for 2008 was reduced to 26.589 billion pounds from 26.699 a month ago. USDA predicts cattle placements for the remainder of 2008 will decrease, resulting in reduced beef production during the first half of 2009.
The agency barely changed its beef export forecasts from last month, reflecting actual third-quarter data. Beef exports in 2008 were raised ever so slightly to 1.860 billion pounds from 1.841 billion pounds forecast in November. USDA maintained its 2009 forecast for beef exports at 1.900 billion pounds. International demand is expected to remain weak amid economic uncertainty, and a stronger U.S. dollar may further dampen sales, the agency said.
USDA lowered its average Choice steer price (Nebraska, Direct, 1,000-1,300 pounds) for 2008 to $92.59 per hundredweight from $93.22 projected in November. For 2009, the agency lowered its average price range forecast to $92 to $99 from $93 to $100 last month.
Pork
U.S. pork production for 2008 was reduced somewhat to 23.419 billion pounds from 23.452 billion pounds projected last month. USDA raised its pork production forecast for 2009, saying lower feed costs result in slightly heavier weights.
Pork export forecasts are reduced for 2008 and 2009 for the same factors affecting beef exports. USDA lowered its 2008 export forecast to 4.769 billion pounds from 5.068 billion pounds last month. For 2009, the agency reduced its forecast to 4.100 billion pounds from 4.500 billion pounds predicted in November.
USDA dropped its average barrows and gilts (live equivalent 51-52 percent lean) price estimate for 2008 to $47.73 per hundredweight from $47.86 per hundredweight projected last month. For 2009, the agency maintained its predicted range of $48 to $52.
Beef
U.S. beef production for 2008 was reduced to 26.589 billion pounds from 26.699 a month ago. USDA predicts cattle placements for the remainder of 2008 will decrease, resulting in reduced beef production during the first half of 2009.
The agency barely changed its beef export forecasts from last month, reflecting actual third-quarter data. Beef exports in 2008 were raised ever so slightly to 1.860 billion pounds from 1.841 billion pounds forecast in November. USDA maintained its 2009 forecast for beef exports at 1.900 billion pounds. International demand is expected to remain weak amid economic uncertainty, and a stronger U.S. dollar may further dampen sales, the agency said.
USDA lowered its average Choice steer price (Nebraska, Direct, 1,000-1,300 pounds) for 2008 to $92.59 per hundredweight from $93.22 projected in November. For 2009, the agency lowered its average price range forecast to $92 to $99 from $93 to $100 last month.
Pork
U.S. pork production for 2008 was reduced somewhat to 23.419 billion pounds from 23.452 billion pounds projected last month. USDA raised its pork production forecast for 2009, saying lower feed costs result in slightly heavier weights.
Pork export forecasts are reduced for 2008 and 2009 for the same factors affecting beef exports. USDA lowered its 2008 export forecast to 4.769 billion pounds from 5.068 billion pounds last month. For 2009, the agency reduced its forecast to 4.100 billion pounds from 4.500 billion pounds predicted in November.
USDA dropped its average barrows and gilts (live equivalent 51-52 percent lean) price estimate for 2008 to $47.73 per hundredweight from $47.86 per hundredweight projected last month. For 2009, the agency maintained its predicted range of $48 to $52.
Ebola detected in Philippine pigs
The Ebola-Reston strain has surfaced in Philippine swine samples proving that the deadly disease is capable of infecting livestock.
Ebola, one of the most feared infectious diseases, were discovered during tests at a USDA laboratory. The World Health Organization, said it is looking into whether the infection in pigs poses any threat to humans.
“While it’s believed that Ebola-Reston is primarily a disease of animals, we are working with the Philippines government to see if there are any potential risks to humans,” said Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for the WHO in Geneva. “At the moment, we believe the risks are quite low.”
Swine outbreak
The pigs, which came from four farms north of Manila, were also infected with at least two more-common diseases, stated Davinio P. Catbagan, the Philippines’ chief veterinary officer. An outbreak of diseases which begun late last year wiped out entire herds in some cases.
Planned shipments to Singapore have now been suspended. “We are suspending pork exports until we’re sure there’s no risk to humans”, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap told reporters in Manila.
It is the first time Ebola has been reported in pigs. A Philippine report however said the pig outbreak was “considered of negligible public health importance.”
Quarantine
All animals in the affected areas have been quarantined while officials conduct an epidemiological investigation into the outbreak.
The infected pigs were from Santo Nino in Bulacan province, Pinagpanaan in Nueva Ecija province and Manaoag in Pangasinan province. The animals were also infected with porcine circovirus type 2 and a type of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome similar to that which killed pigs in China and Vietnam during the past two years.
Ebola, one of the most feared infectious diseases, were discovered during tests at a USDA laboratory. The World Health Organization, said it is looking into whether the infection in pigs poses any threat to humans.
“While it’s believed that Ebola-Reston is primarily a disease of animals, we are working with the Philippines government to see if there are any potential risks to humans,” said Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for the WHO in Geneva. “At the moment, we believe the risks are quite low.”
Swine outbreak
The pigs, which came from four farms north of Manila, were also infected with at least two more-common diseases, stated Davinio P. Catbagan, the Philippines’ chief veterinary officer. An outbreak of diseases which begun late last year wiped out entire herds in some cases.
Planned shipments to Singapore have now been suspended. “We are suspending pork exports until we’re sure there’s no risk to humans”, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap told reporters in Manila.
It is the first time Ebola has been reported in pigs. A Philippine report however said the pig outbreak was “considered of negligible public health importance.”
Quarantine
All animals in the affected areas have been quarantined while officials conduct an epidemiological investigation into the outbreak.
The infected pigs were from Santo Nino in Bulacan province, Pinagpanaan in Nueva Ecija province and Manaoag in Pangasinan province. The animals were also infected with porcine circovirus type 2 and a type of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome similar to that which killed pigs in China and Vietnam during the past two years.
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