The National Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) has confirmed an infection with the FMD virus in a water buffalo in Märkisch-Oderland, Brandenburg.

The local authorities have taken control and protection measures. Further tests are being carried out at the FLI to determine the exact nature of the virus. An FLI team is supporting the outbreak investigation on the ground. FMD is a purely animal disease and cannot be transmitted to humans, i.e. it is not a zoonosis.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs). Many zoo and wild animals can also contract FMD. There are very strict international rules for the prevention and control of FMD. There is no treatment for infected animals. If even one animal on a farm is infected, all ungulates must be killed and destroyed.

The last outbreak of FMD in Germany was in Lower Saxony in 1988. The last outbreak in Europe was reported in Bulgaria in 2011. Prior to that, the United Kingdom was hit by a major FMD outbreak in 2001, followed by France, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The FMD virus remains endemic in Turkey, the Middle East and Africa, many Asian countries and parts of South America. Illegally imported animal products from these countries pose a constant threat to European agriculture.

FLI

Tibshelf, Derbyshire: A well-established family-run butcher has been forced to close its doors after 30 years in business, resulting in the redundancy of all 34 employees.

Price and Fretwell, an award-winning supplier of meat to restaurants, hotels, and educational institutions across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, appointed liquidators on December 30th.

The company, known for its high-quality lamb, chicken, and aged beef, had faced significant challenges, including the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The company has ceased trading partially due to the knock-on effects of COVID-19,” stated the administrators in a report published by The Business Desk.

Originally based in Blackwell, Price and Fretwell expanded its operations over the years, operating a fleet of eight delivery vans across its service area.

However, recent financial difficulties became apparent, with the company’s latest accounts (up to September 2023) revealing debts of up to £1.2 million owed to creditors.

Opus Restructuring has been appointed as liquidator to oversee the closure and manage the company’s assets.

Supermarket shelves across Scotland could see shortages of red meat as beef supplies near a “critical point”.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has warned that beef supplies are dwindling as cattle levels continue to fall.

The number of cattle used for beef production has declined by more than 10% over the past ten years.

Farmers say staff shortages are the main factor behind declining numbers and that the government must develop better policies to help grow herds.

Scotland’s red meat sector employs more than 3,000 people across more than 20 processing plants and contributes more than £2bn to the economy.

Scott Walker, SAMW, expressed “serious concern” about insufficient supplies to meet domestic demand with the decline “likely to be felt on retail shelves at certain points” in 2025.

Cattle farmer David Smith said the biggest problem is ensuring there is enough labour to cover everything needed to care for cattle.

“It’s 24 hours a day, and you have to feed them with no days off. They don’t take holidays,” he said.

Beth Franklin & Haley Bouma | STV News

The NFU is calling on the government to recognise the key role of small and medium-sized abattoirs in the supply chain following news of the latest closure.

The last remaining abattoir in Hampshire is set to cease trading at the end of January.

The closure of Newman’s Abattoir, an independent family business, is a major blow to livestock farmers across the South and South East and is the latest of several small and medium-sized abattoir closures in recent years.

A new NFU survey of livestock farmers in the South East found many would be forced to cease trading if this trend continues.

Reasons for closures have included lack of labour availability, lack of available investment on infrastructure due to thin margins, increasing costs from waste disposal and red tape.

William Newman, who co-owns Newman’s Abattoir with his brother Robert, which trades as PC Turner and Ockwells Meat Company, said:

“This is a very sad day for us. Our grandfather started this business in the late 1950s.

“We felt we gave a very good and much-needed service to our customers and we are sorry to them that we are closing.

“We will continue our wholesale meat business and send our own animals elsewhere for slaughter. We will support our customers and offer transport where we can to other abattoirs.”

NFU Online

Farmers Weekly

The last remaining abattoir in Hampshire, Newman’s Abattoir, is set to close its doors at the end of January, dealing a significant blow to local food supply chains.

This independent, family-run business based in Farnborough has been a key player in the region, trading as PC Turner & Ockwells Meat Company and supplying 150 butchers’ shops and Smithfield Market in London.

The closure of Newman’s Abattoir is the latest in a series of shutdowns in the slaughterhouse sector, leaving only a handful of multispecies abattoirs in the South East. The industry has been grappling with numerous challenges, including rising costs and stringent regulations from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which have made it increasingly difficult for facilities like Newman’s to remain viable.

This trend of abattoir closures across the UK has been driven by declining stock numbers, increased operational costs, and limited profit margins. The loss of Newman’s Abattoir underscores the ongoing struggles faced by the sector and the impact on local food supply chains.

Original story by Philip Case | Farmers Weekly

A new pig sector campaign is set to launch in February, aiming to inspire the public to incorporate more British-produced pork into their meals.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is spearheading the campaign titled ‘British pork… but not as you know it,’ which will highlight lean cuts like loin steaks and 5% fat pork mince, showcasing their versatility and appeal.

The campaign will feature numerous recipes, positioning pork as an affordable, nutritious alternative to popular proteins like chicken. All recipes are designed to cost less than £1.50 per portion, appealing to cost-conscious families without compromising on taste or nutrition. Additionally, the campaign will emphasize pork’s convenience, making it an ideal choice for busy households.

Adverts will appear across traditional and on-demand TV channels such as ITV, Channel 4, Sky, and Netflix, alongside digital platforms like YouTube, social media, and in-store promotions.

Angela Christison, AHDB pork sector director, stated, “Driving demand starts with understanding what motivates consumers to choose British pork. That’s where AHDB’s consumer insight team plays a vital role. They analyse buyer behaviour and preferences, identifying key audiences and how to influence their purchasing decisions. Combining this intelligence with creative marketing strategies and strong partnerships with retailers and processors forms a powerful recipe for success.”

Original story by Farming UK

 

Chinese farmers and meat industry associations are complaining about the surge in foreign beef imports and the Ministry of Commerce has promised an investigation into the situation, according to Beijing government sources.

However the investigation is likely to take some eight months, but may be extended under special circumstances, according to a statement on the ministry’s website.

Any safeguard measures taken by the world’s biggest beef buyer can be expected to hurt top exporters and trade partners of China such as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, Mercosur block partners, and Australia.

Chinese Imports surged between 2019 and mid-2024, dealing a blow to the domestic industry, groups representing the animal husbandry sector from several top producing regions said the petitioners. China’s beef producers are struggling with huge losses after local prices plunged to multi-year year lows due to oversupply and sluggish consumption.

The latest investigation and any likely action could potentially hurt farmers and producers in Brazil, which accounts for almost half of China’s total beef imports. Even though Brazil has embraced closer ties with Beijing, it has also pushed back against a perceived deluge of cheap exports from China.

Brazil imposed new tariffs on various products from China and other Asian nations in October, including a duty increase on fibre optics and cables, iron and steel products, and electric vehicles.

MercoPress

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has launched a revamped website and a modernised logo, signalling its continued growth and evolving role as a leading advocate for the meat and poultry industry.

The announcement comes as AIMS celebrates a significant rise in membership over the past year, welcoming businesses from diverse sectors, including meat manufacturing, catering butchers, pet food production, and egg packing.

Dr Jason Aldiss, Executive Director of AIMS, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to its members:
“Our expanding membership base reflects the trust businesses place in us to support their needs, from regulatory guidance to market insights. The refreshed branding and website embody our role as the ‘Voice of the Meat Industry.’ “

Tony Goodger, Head of Communications, described the rebranding as straightforward and effective:
“Our new logo and website were designed with clarity and purpose in mind. They demonstrate exactly who we are and what we do, much like our approach to member services.”

Innovative Member Services Driving Growth

AIMS has built its reputation on providing comprehensive, real-time support. Key services include:

• Disease control updates and site security alerts, ensuring businesses are prepared and protected.
• Market opportunity analysis for both domestic and international prospects.
• 24/7 access to legal, technical, and veterinary expertise.

Additionally, the organisation’s in-depth market update reports and collaborative work with regulators have been highly praised by members.

Cross-Border Membership Expands

AIMS has also seen a rise in membership from businesses in the Republic of Ireland, highlighting its growing influence and ability to provide industry-leading support across borders.

Dr Aldiss expressed excitement about the future:
“As we enter 2025, we’re optimistic about what lies ahead. Our members can feel confident knowing we’ve got their backs in an ever-changing industry landscape.”

The new website is designed to provide easy access to these services while showcasing AIMS’ commitment to innovation and its role as a trusted ally for the meat and poultry sectors.

For more information, visit AIMS’ redesigned website at www.aims2001.co.uk