Eleven people have been taken to hospital with “breathing difficulties” after a chemical spill at Banham Poultry.

Ambulance crews were called to the poultry factory on Station Road in Attleborough at around 9.30am on Wednesday, August 4, following reports that a number of people were struggling to breathe.

A number of ambulances, ambulance officer vehicles and a hazardous area response team were in attendance.

Fourteen patients were treated at the scene and eleven of those were sent to hospital for further assessment.

A spokesman from the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called to Station Road in Attleborough shortly after 9.30am today following reports that people at a business premises were experiencing breathing difficulties.

“We sent various resources, including ambulances, ambulance officer vehicles and the hazardous area response team. Crews treated 14 patients at the scene and transferred 11 to hospital for further assessment and care.”

By Emily Thomson / Eastern Daily Press

by Farming UK

The New Zealand red meat sector continues to perform strongly with overall exports reaching $937 million in June, up 16 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Sheepmeat exports increased by 15 per cent to $345m compared with June 2020, beef exports rose eight per cent to $411m and co-products by 40 per cent to $181m.

There was also an increase in the value of all categories of co-products, with the largest two categories – prepared meat products and edible offals – increasing by 88 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, said China was once again the largest overall market in June with exports worth $377m, an increase of 37 per cent compared with the same period last year.

“We saw a very significant increase in beef exports to China during June, with a 60 per cent increase year-on-year to $156m.

China’s domestic pork production continued to be affected by African Swine Fever, which resulted in demand for high volumes of imported meat, Karapeeva said.

New Zealand also benefited from reduced supply from other major beef exporters, such as Australia, which was re-building its herd, and Argentina, where the government had imposed restrictions on beef exports, Karapeeva said.

by NZ Herald

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain

Finished pig prices continued to climb in the latest week – the EU-spec SPP lifted 0.78p to average 160.66p/kg in the week ending June 17.

Despite recent gains, prices remain 4.95p below the same week last year, but up 8.46p on the five-year average.

Estimated slaughter fell notably on the week, down 3.7% (6,400 head) on the week before, and 10,700 head less than the same point in 2020. This is the first time slaughter levels have dropped noticeably below year-earlier levels since February. Recent reports have indicated challenges with staffing in processing plants and this may be reflected in the kill level.

All weight bands grew in price, with those weighing between 100 to 104.9kg seeing the largest weekly increase at 1.63p. The average carcase weight stood at 86.34kg, 210g heavier than those seen a week ago.

by Pig World / AHDB

A MAJOR employer IN South Gloucestershire has announced 100 new jobs.

Pilgrim’s UK, one of Britain’s leading food and farming businesses, is looking for 100 skilled and unskilled workers to join its team at the Tulip site in Westerleigh from this month.

By Matty Airey / Gazette

July 31 (Reuters) – Britain is nearing an agreement in principle on a free trade deal with New Zealand, its trade ministry said on Saturday, as London looks to bolster its post-Brexit trade ties with non-EU partners.

The European Union is Britain’s single largest trade partner and the two sides have signed a post-Brexit trade pact, but business groups say they still face extra red tape dealing with European customers and suppliers as a result of Brexit.

Trade minister Liz Truss said that “great progress” had been made in a sixth round of discussions which ran from July 19-30.

A trade agreement with New Zealand could see the removal of tariffs on British and New Zealand goods making products available at lower prices, the ministry said.

A deal would also enable small and medium enterprises to export more goods and services to New Zealand, it added.

“We’re closing in on an agreement in principle, with 6 more chapters now complete,” Truss said.

Reuters

Russia has overtaken Australia, Argentina and Brazil in beef exports to the Chinese market, the Centre for Industry Expertise (CIE) of Russia’s Rosselkhozbank says.

China bought some 3.7 thousand tons of Russian beef in the first quarter of 2021, 20 times more than during the same period last year, the industry department of the agricultural bank reported.

By RT.COM

Over half of small and local abattoirs expect to close within the next five years if action is not taken to safeguard their future, new research shows.

The National Craft Butchers (NCB) surveyed small and local abattoirs throughout England, Scotland, and Wales from March to May this year.

It highlighted the importance of the local abattoir network to farmers and the challenges it currently faces, including increased regulation, lack of training and loss of income.

Of the abattoirs surveyed, 70 percent of owners are aged over 51, with 11 percent over the age of 66, highlighting the sector’s aging workforce.

Over half (59 percent) expect to close the business within the next 5 years if action is not taken, and 56% do not have a succession plan or someone to take over the business.

Increases in one size fits all regulation, loss of income through hides and skins and lack of education in the meat industry as a skilled and attractive career choice is leading to a ‘cliff edge’, the NCB said.

by Farming UK

Lamb exports from the UK continue to be under pressure as new figures show exports declined by nearly a quarter last month.

UK sheep meat exports declined 23 percent year-on-year in May to stand at 4,850 tonnes, data by HMRC shows. The vast majority – 95 percent – were to the EU.

Volumes of fresh carcase exports only recorded a modest 2% on the year with most of the reduction being in cuts of sheep meat.

Looking at the figures, AHDB said there had been continuing trade friction between the UK and the EU which had ‘no doubt put volumes under pressure’.

“Equally domestic farmgate prices remained high during May which would have reduced the competitiveness of British lamb,” said Rebecca Wright, AHDB analyst.

“British exports totalled 24,600 tonnes in the year to May, down 6,500 tonnes year-on-year.”

by Farming UK

A “SIGNIFICANT proportion” of Scottish livestock are still failing to meet market specification, according to Quality Meat Scotland.

By Gordon Davidson / Scottish Herald