Ireland strikes deal to restart pig slaughtering

DUBLIN, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Ireland's government and pig processors said on Thursday they had agreed a deal that would allow the resumption of pig slaughtering, halted after Saturday's recall of pork products due to dioxin contamination.

"I want to share with the (prime minister) in welcoming the agreement that will see full-scale slaughtering resumed very quickly and I hope that the thousands of jobs compromised in recent days can now be secured," said Agriculture Minister Brendan Smithd.

(Reporting by Andras Gergely)

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Waste oil from Northern Ireland may be source of dioxin scare

Gardai and the PSNI are reportedly investigating if waste oil that should have been stored or incinerated in Northern Ireland is the source of the pig-meat contamination scare in the Republic.

Reports this morning say the Co Carlow plant that supplied contaminated feed to several pig farmers was using waste oil from electricity transformers in the drying process.

The oil has reportedly been traced to a business in Co Tyrone, where this morning's reports say it should have been stored or incinerated under licence.

The Gardai are investigating how the oil ended up being used at the Carlow plant, where it transferred poisonous dioxins into the feed supplied to pig farmers.

The plant owners have reportedly told detectives that they bought the oil legally and believed it was suitable for processing animal feed.

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Protest demands reopening of pig plants

STEVEN CARROLL

More than 100 members and representatives of the Irish pig industry gathered in Dublin this afternoon to demand that processing plants be reopened.

Members of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) congregated at the Department of Agriculture on Kildare Street to say it was unacceptable that the closure of 10 farms, following the discovery contaminants, should shut down business for 450 others.

Discussions aimed at reopening processing plants, involving Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the Minister of Agriculture Brendan Smith and pigmeat processors, remained deadlocked last night and the talks continued in the Department of Agriculture as the as the demonstrators gathered today.

Tim Cullinan of the IFA national pigs committee said farmers are losing €1 million for every day and that their livelihoods are being put in "jeopardy".

"Pig producers whose herds are clear of any contamination have been unable to move their perfectly healthy animals to processors," he said.

"We are suffering severe losses every day while supermarket shelf space is being lost to imports."

The protesters said a backlog of 60,000 pigs that are ready to be slaughtered has developed since the processing plants closed their doors and that this figure was increasing rapidly every day.

Mairead O'Brien, a pig farmer from Mitchelstown in Co Cork, said it was imperative the processors and the Government come up with a solution that got the pigmeat market moving again.

"It's like the tap is on and the sink is filling and the water has nowhere to go. I've had pigs ready for sale since last Monday and I have banamhs being born every minute," she said.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Michael Creed and party colleagues Shane McEntee, Seymour Crawford and Charlie Flanagan joined the protesters.

"We're here to support these people who's livelihood is under threat but we're also here to support people who's jobs have been lost and are under threat in the processing sector," Mr Creed said.

He added that it was very important that the ongoing discussions over a plan to assist farmers and processors be concluded as soon as possible.

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€125m of pork to be destroyed in biggest food scare since BSE

AN ESTIMATED 100,000 pigs will have to be destroyed because of the pigmeat crisis which has led to the recall of all Irish pork products in Ireland's largest food scare since BSE.

The public have been told to dump or return all pork products which they purchased since September 1st last because of the risk of dioxin contamination.

It is estimated that €125 million worth of food products in home and in export markets - up to 25 countries - will have to be destroyed.

The recall followed the discovery of potentially dangerous dioxins, known as PCBs, in pigmeat. They were initially traced in an un-named meat plant in the Republic. The dioxins were contained in feed supplied from a Co Carlow food recycling plant, it emerged yesterday.

As the Government moved to ease the fears of consumers, investigations were continuing at 10 pig farms and 38 beef farms in the Republic. The contamination is likely to have a severe impact on the €7 billion Irish food industry.

It emerged yesterday contaminated feed from the Co Carlow facility, Millstream Recycling in Clohamon Mills, had also been supplied to nine farms in Northern Ireland which now have been restricted.

The investigation has found contaminated pork with dioxin levels of 80 to 200 times above the safety limits. It is being led by the Departments of Agriculture and Health, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The Garda Síochána are also involved.

The dramatic food recall was announced on Saturday night as the investigation into the source of the contamination, understood to be oil, was stepped up after tests at a UK laboratory in York confirmed the presence of dioxins in the pigmeat.

The crisis began, however, last month when a routine sample was taken from the meat plant. Results of further tests from cattle farms will be known later today.

Other examination of Irish products in the Netherlands, France and Belgium prompted the action by the Government in an attempt to protect consumer confidence at home and abroad.

The European Commission has called a meeting of food safety experts from Ireland and other affected EU states tomorrow to co-ordinate a Europe-wide response to the contamination of Irish pork products.

Millstream Recycling has confirmed it has been working with Department of Agriculture officials to identify the source of PCBs found in pig meal used in a number of farms in Ireland. Accepting the need for a recall, Millstream Recycling said it would be carrying out "a full investigation to establish how the company's strict health and safety procedures and the high quality standards could possibly have been breached".

Last night the FSAI repeated its advice to consumers not to eat any pork products. But it said people should not be alarmed or concerned in relation to the potential risks from short-term exposure to dioxins found in pork products.

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said a number of health studies conducted in Belgium since the dioxin scare in 1999 had not found any negative effects on the population. "From the experience in Belgium we don't anticipate any health effects and on that basis we are reassuring people."

Prof James Heffron, a specialist on the biochemistry of detoxification at UCC's biochemical toxicology lab, told The Irish Times, however, the Government in his view needed to do more to reassure the public. Prof Heffron said information on the amount of dioxin found in affected meat should be released in addition to further details on the duration of exposure. "When we have this information we can relate it to World Health Organisation guidelines on acceptable levels of dioxin," he added.

The recall led to almost 2,000 calls to the FSAI helpline yesterday. Queues formed at supermarkets as shoppers returned products for which the Government said they should receive a refund. The National Consumer Agency (NCA) said consumers were entitled to be refunded. NCA chief executive Anne Fitzgerald said: "Under legislation consumers are entitled to repair, replacement or refund of a faulty product. In the case of pork meat or other food products containing pork, consumers are entitled to a refund as a repair or replacement does not apply in this instant.

The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association called on the Government to provide an emergency compensation package so that retailers and suppliers would not be left out of pocket.

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Prison served pork to muslim prisoners

Solveig Horne of the Progress Party says no to special diets in prison. She thinks the reporting of Trondhem prison to the police for serving pork to muslims should be dismissed.

A muslim prisoner at Trondheim prison has reported the prison for discrimination, after muslim prisoners were served pork without being told.

Muslims reacted strongly when they discovered they had eaten pork, which is forbidden for muslims.

Pork in the sauce

«We were given fish in bread-crumbs. While we ate, someone discovered small pieces of pork in the sauce that was inside the fish. Many here pray and practice their religion more than me, and several of them were furious when they found out they had eaten pork,» says the 39.year old Salma to Adresseavisen. He has reported the prison on behalf of himself and the other muslim prisoners.

No to special diets

MP, Solveig Horne, who is a member of the Justice Committee, says on the party's home page that special diets behind bars should be refused.

«There are already limited resources in the prison unit. We shouldn't use time, money and energy on making room for special diets for some prisoners, based on religious convictions, culture, or taste buds, for that matter,» she says.

Horne thinks that certain muslims, who want to live in accordance with the Koran, are more concerned with food in prison than with not commiting the criminal acts that send them there.

Halal-meat for everyone

Abid Raja of the Left-Wing Party (Venstre), thinks the most practical thing would be for the prisons to serve only halal-meat.

«Norwegians have no problems eating halal-meat. If they want pork, they can have this as an addition,» he says to Dagavisen.no.

He points out that pig is shameful for many muslims, and that eating pork for some muslims feels like abuse.

More than a third of all prisoners in Norwegian prisons are muslims. There are no prisons in Norway that offer halal-meat to prisoners.

Pork several times

The muslim prisoners have been served pork several times. Following the first episode, a couple of months ago, they complained and received an apology from the kitchen. A few weeks later it happened again, and in November again, the story repeated itself.

All prisoners have a right to dinner in prison, which caters for muslims, vegetarians and those with allergies.

«I can confirm that a prisoner in Trondheim prison has reported the prison for discrimination and breach of human rights. As long as the parties have not yet been questioned, I can't comment any further on the matter,» says the criminal duty-officer, Geir Olav Granbo of South Trøndelag police district.

«It's a meaningless use of resources to prioritize such a case. It should be immediately dismissed,» says Horne.

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Pork Industry To Turn Waste Into Energy

2 December 2008 - A new project launched today will look at the potential to turn pig manure on New Zealand farms into energy, significantly reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

The Pork Industry (NZPork), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have joined together to launch the eight month project which will evaluate using manure in different biogas systems on farms.

Farm biogas systems convert methane emitted from farm manure into renewable energy resources that can be used to power the farm, or in some cases, exported to the local electricity network. Using manure for biogas has many benefits including reducing harmful emissions and limiting nutrient leaching through improved storage. Using a waste product to generate energy also reduces costs and can provide security of energy supply to rural farms and communities.

The pork industry has the overall capacity to produce over 8,500 tonnes of methane annually, which has the potential to generate over 100 GWh (400,000 GJ) of renewable energy each year.

"The New Zealand pork industry has identified a significant potential opportunity to better manage our emissions, and deliver on our climate change goals, said New Zealand Pork Chief Executive Sam McIvor.

'We are committed to taking a lead role in the reduction of industry emissions and we already have several projects underway. Working in partnership with EECA and MAF means we can identify the most effective projects and share that knowledge across the whole industry," Mr McIvor said.

EECA's business programme enables New Zealand companies to become more energy efficient and competitive, using more renewable energy and emitting less carbon dioxide.

"Our primary production businesses are operating in an increasingly competitive international market where demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can make all the difference to market share," said EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill.

"Managing energy use and using renewable energy are two key ways a business can move towards more sustainable practices and save on their energy bills at the same time."

The initial research stages of the project were supported by MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund. "Reducing the emissions from our agriculture sector is a key goal for New Zealand, said James Stevenson-Wallace, Manager - Sustainable Businesses, at MAF. 'There is no one silver bullet that will solve the problem, but projects like these make positive contributions towards making a real difference."

The project will assess up to 10 individual farm biogas systems across various regions and farm sizes and the results will be used to inform the industry of the most effective opportunities for their farms.

"The feasibility studies will create a basis of knowledge for pork producers, whether small or large, to learn about new options to create additional energy, and therefore value, from manure,' Mr McIvor said.

"As we gather experience with farm-scale biogas systems, NZPork envisages that the industry may develop a regional network of biogas installations. The longer-term aim is to use our learnings to benefit the primary production sector as a whole by providing concrete learnings and plans to help reduce greenhouse gases," Mr McIvor said.

"The programme will help pork producers improve their environmental performance, improve their energy efficiency and achieve cost savings for their businesses at a time when electricity and fuel costs are rising,' said Mike Underhill.

The pork industry is one of several industry groups to work with EECA in developing knowledge. EECA has supported the tourism industry, the Seafood Industry Council and Plastics New Zealand in the development of their best practice programmes, which have committed to real savings and already uncovered significant potential economic benefits for their industries.

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Bacon v. Fries

Bacon wins over fries

Bacon wins over fries
Associated Press

LOVELAND, Colo. - There was a tasty race for Colorado senate when voters got to choose between Bacon and Fries.

In the end, Bacon won.

Democrat incumbent Bob Bacon defeated Republican challenger Matt Fries on Tuesday 63 percent to 37 percent to represent the district that encompasses most of Larimer County in northern Colorado.

"I am so pleased that the voters appreciate the work that I have done," Bacon said.

Bacon originally was elected to the seat in 2004 after serving three terms in the state House of Representatives. Fries is a long time education advocate.

Plenty pork left despite piglet theft

Despite the theft of hundreds of piglets from major pig farms in Trinidad, the owners have bounced back and are in a position to supply enough hams and pork products for Christmas.

Three months ago a ring of pig thieves entered several farms and stole the piglets which were being culled for the Christmas season.

Police in the affected areas went into action, and although they did not arrest anyone they were able to suppress the attacks, the owners said

Ian Leong Poi, President of the Pork and Pork Producers Association said recently: "Pig farmers were hit with severe losses and apart from the vigilance of the police the large farms were forced to spend thousands of dollars fencing their properties and setting bright lights throughout the farms."

He added: "We have recovered from the losses but now we are faced with labour shortages. CEPEP is now controlling the labour market and workers are not prepared to work for less than $200 a day." CEPEP is the State-run Community Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme, responsible mainly for maintaining verges.

Leong Poi said several farmers went out of the pig business last year because of the steep increase in the price of pig feed. "When the price went from $80 for a 100 -pound bag to $140, many farmers found it uneconomical to rear pigs for sale."

He said pig production in Trinidad had increased slightly.

"We are now producing about four million pounds of pork a year, that represents an increase of five per cent." Leong Poi said farmers in Trinidad were enjoying the benefit of exporting meat to Guyana and Suriname. He said the sale of hams had already shown an increase over last year's sales.

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Feral pig aerial shooting

Aerial shooting of feral pigs in the Bogan, Culgoa, Barwon, Cuttaburra and Warrego Rivers is planned for last week of November.

The Brewarrina, Bourke and Wanaaring Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB), the Department of Primary Industries, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Australian Government and the Western Catchment Management Authority are working together to undertake the aerial shoot as part of a $150,000 coordinated feral pig control program.

This is the second phase of the successful program conducted during the 2007-2008 financial year, which involved 200 landholders responsible for 98 individual properties.

Aerial shooting resulted in 584 pigs being shot, 45 traps were built and distributed and 150 tins of poison were distributed to landholders.

The aerial shoot will be held from November 22 to 31 and will start at the Culgoa National Park before heading south along the Darling River and finishing with the Cuttaburra and Warrego River Systems.

Brewarrina RLPB Ranger, Colin Betts, said the shoot will revisit old ground as well as some new areas.

“The Cuttaburra and Warrego River systems are being included this time because the rains earlier in the year resulted in flooding throughout that country has provided ideal breeding conditions for feral pigs,” Mr Betts said.

“We will also revisit some areas that had significant pig populations such as along the Culgoa and some individual hotspots along the Bogan and Barwon Rivers.”

Chair of the Western Catchment Management Authority, Rory Treweeke, said feral pig control improved land condition and water quality.

“Feral pigs can cause significant damage and foul waterways, particularly in fragile areas such as wetlands,” Mr Treweeke said.

“Aerial shooting is an effective method of controlling isolated pockets of pigs, which will prevent reinfestation if landholders are conscientious about follow-up control with baits and/or traps.”

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Ukraine: ban on russian pork

The outbreak of swine fever in Russia last week, that caused 600 pigs to be destroyed, has led to the government of Ukraine imposing a ban on Russian pork from the region. 

The State Committee on Veterinary Medicine spokesman, said “ It is prohibited to bring animals susceptible to African swine fever, as well as the products and raw materials from them into Ukraine territory”.

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Spicy pork sausage found in 'soiled diapers'

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Customs inspectors scored the makings of a barbecue when a 21-year-old South Texas woman declared several soiled baby diapers at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing.

Suspicious of the chunky diapers, inspectors with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the international bridge in Hidalgo found several links of spicy pork sausage, or chorizo, inside. The diapers had been folded to look soiled, according to a customs agency statement.

The Mission resident, who was not identified after the Friday night incident, was fined $300 and her chorizo was seized.

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