China’s Huaxi Cattle Breed to Make International Debut

China’s Huaxi Cattle Breed to Make International Debut in Laos

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) — China’s “Huaxi cattle” breed will make its first international appearance under a beef cattle breeding cooperation project with Laos, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences announced on Friday.

The project, signed in Vientiane earlier this week, will see China export 100,000 doses of frozen semen and 10 breeding bulls of the Huaxi cattle to Laos. The goal is to enhance the efficiency of beef cattle breeding and cultivate high-quality breeds in the Southeast Asian nation, according to the academy.

“This marks an important step for China’s beef cattle breeding industry into the global market, laying a solid foundation for its international development,” the academy stated.

The Huaxi cattle breed is the result of over four decades of research efforts and offers rapid growth, high-quality meat, and strong adaptability, with performance metrics matching international advanced levels. A mature bull weighs up to approximately 900 kg.

Some 23,400 Huaxi cattle have been bred across 12 Chinese provincial-level regions, supported by an advanced breeding database in addition to a network of breeding farms and bull stations, the academy reported.

Original story: Xinhua

Warwickshire Abattoir Under Investigation

Warwickshire Abattoir Under Investigation Following Allegations of Animal Welfare Violations

Authorities are investigating serious allegations raised in a recent media article regarding an abattoir in Warwickshire. The claims have prompted a thorough investigation by local law enforcement and relevant agencies.

Detective Chief Inspector David Andrews stated, “Following our visit on Monday 3 March, we are working with partners including the Home Office and Food Standards Agency to take appropriate action regarding the issues identified. Since our visit, and in light of the footage shared by the Independent, which we believe was filmed in July 2024, we can confirm that we have recorded a suspected offence of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under animal welfare legislation.”

DCI Andrews emphasised that while the investigation into animal welfare is underway, further details cannot be disclosed to avoid jeopardising any future proceedings.

Inspector Andi Gibbons from the North Warwickshire Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) reassured the community, stating, “Our safer neighbourhood officers will continue to engage with the community and we wish to reassure you that these matters are being dealt with. If you do have concerns, please reach out to our team.”

Residents can find their local SNT, their priorities, and contact information by typing their postcode into the interactive map on the Warwickshire Police website. Additionally, regular updates about local policing can be received by signing up to the Warwickshire Connected community messaging service.

Warwickshire Police

 

UK Butchers Sharpen Skills for Paris Challenge

UK Butchers Prepare for World Butchers’ Challenge at East Sussex’s Plumpton College

Team GB is sharpening its knives and skills at Plumpton College in East Sussex, as the country’s top butchers gear up for the prestigious World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC)—dubbed the “Olympics of Meat”.

The international competition, to be held in Paris in less than a month, will test teams on their butchery skills, creativity, and presentation under intense time constraints.

What Is the World Butchers’ Challenge?

The World Butchers’ Challenge brings together elite butchers from across the globe to showcase their craftsmanship in a three-and-a-half-hour challenge, turning entire carcasses into a world-class display of meat cuts, value-added products, and charcuterie.

This high-profile event not only spotlights butchery as a skilled trade, but also supports local communities. All meat processed during training and the competition is donated to local food banks, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to reducing food waste and supporting families in need.

Team GB Training at Plumpton College

Plumpton College, known for its state-of-the-art butchery training facilities, has hosted Team GB for over a year. The college has played a key role in the team’s preparation, offering space and equipment for dress rehearsals and technical training.

“For us, it’s a chance to promote our industry at the highest level, and to promote the UK and the UK meat industry to the world,” said Team GB captain Ben Tindale.

Vice-captain Elsie Yardley added: “There’s no buzz like it. The energy and pride in representing your country is unmatched.”

Butchery Skills in High Demand

Principal Jeremy Kerswell of Plumpton College expressed pride in supporting Team GB, noting the broader significance of the competition:

“We’ve seen massive growth in our apprenticeship programmes, and hosting Team GB has been incredibly inspiring for our students. It demonstrates just how in-demand these skills are.”

The college’s recent investment in butchery education underlines its commitment to training the next generation of skilled meat professionals.

UK Meat Industry in the Global Spotlight

As the countdown begins, Team GB remains focused and determined to win a medal and elevate the status of UK butchery on the global stage. The World Butchers’ Challenge not only celebrates tradition and technique but also highlights the evolving role of butchers in sustainable food systems and culinary innovation.


Key Takeaways:

  • Team GB trains at Plumpton College for the World Butchers’ Challenge in Paris.

  • Butchers must create a world-class display of meat products in 3.5 hours.

  • All meat from training and the event is donated to food banks.

  • Plumpton’s investment in butchery training supports the next generation of meat professionals.

Original Source: BBC News

 

Illegal Meat Floods UK High Streets

Illegal Meat Floods UK High Streets Amid Post-Brexit Border Check Failures

Efforts to prevent potentially disease-ridden meat from entering the UK are being undermined by post-Brexit border checks, according to a senior health official.

Lucy Manzano, head of the Dover Port Health Authority, has raised concerns that illegal meat, which has bypassed proper health checks, is now available on “most high streets” across the country.

Recent outbreaks of deadly animal diseases in Europe have heightened fears among health authorities, Whitehall officials, and the farming industry about the potential threat to the UK. Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the current system of checks is effective and insists it will never “waver in its duty to support the UK’s biosecurity.”

Under the post-Brexit system, commercial vehicle checks are not conducted at Dover itself. Instead, drivers are required to travel 22 miles (35km) to a border control post at Sevington. Critics argue that many lorries are failing to show up for these checks due to a lack of enforcement.

The Environment Select Committee in Parliament has launched an inquiry to assess the effectiveness of the system. Ms Manzano told MPs that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been overstating the robustness of the controls in place. She stated, “Defra have continually stated that there are robust controls in place. There are not. They don’t exist.”

Ms Manzano added that Defra has not provided any confirmation of how food would be controlled from the point it arrives to the inspection facility 22 miles away. She presented evidence to the government demonstrating that the system intended to safeguard the country from biosecurity threats is failing.

Defra recently refused to answer a Freedom of Information request from the BBC’s Countryfile programme, which sought data on the number of vehicles failing to turn up for checks at Sevington. The department claimed that releasing such information could inadvertently aid criminals looking for weak points in the UK’s border controls.

Ms Manzano claimed that illegal meat has become more commonplace in high street shops, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify whether the products they are purchasing have undergone proper health checks.

Despite these allegations, Defra maintains that the post-Brexit checks are functioning as intended. Earlier this week, figures revealed that nearly 100 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at the Port of Dover last year. Defra reiterated its stance, stating, “It is unequivocal that importing illegal meat products is unacceptable – which is why suspected products are routinely checked at the border to ensure they don’t reach our shores.”

Original story: BBC News

First Dragon’s Den Winner for NZ Red Meat

Innovative Meat Flake Idea Wins Top Prize in Meat Industry Competition

An innovative idea for transforming mechanically deboned meat into a meat flake for seasoning has won the top prize in the Meat Industry Association’s first-ever Dragon’s Den competition.

Renyu Zhang, a senior scientist with AgResearch, was named the winner of the inaugural contest, which challenged New Zealanders to develop groundbreaking ideas to advance the country’s red meat processing industry.

Zhang’s “umamification” plan involves a novel process to transform lower-value mechanically deboned meat into a meat flake with high umami (savoury flavour). This product would be stable at room temperature and could be used as a protein enhancer and snack food.

Out of 42 entries, Zhang emerged victorious, beating four other finalists to secure a prize of up to $10,000 to develop a business case and progress the idea into a research project.

Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, praised the high calibre of entries, noting that selecting the five finalists and the ultimate winner was challenging. She highlighted the competition’s aim to recognise transformative ideas and provide resources to bring them to life, aligning with the Government’s goal of doubling export value.

Karapeeva said Zhang’s idea stood out for its innovative process and the potential for global industry interest. Zhang expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to take his project to the next stage, saying, “I’m honoured to win this inaugural Dragon’s Den event, and grateful to MIA for this opportunity.”

Original story: NZ Herald

Dairy Cattle Dominate GB Slaughter

Dairy Herd Dominates Cattle Slaughter in Great Britain

Key Points

  • Over half of all cattle and calves slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024 were born to the dairy herd.
  • The proportion of prime cattle supply made up of dairy beef continues to grow, reaching 37% in 2024.
  • BCMS data shows that 2.3 million head of cattle and calves were slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024, including animals of all ages, types, and sexes. Of this total, 52% were born to the dairy herd, while the remainder were suckler-born.

Prime Cattle Supply

In 2024, 1.5 million cattle aged 12-30 months were slaughtered in Great Britain. Suckler-bred cattle made up the largest proportion of prime cattle supply, accounting for 56%. However, the proportion of suckler-bred cattle in slaughter totals has steadily declined over the last ten years, in line with the long-term decline in the population of the Great Britain cattle herd.

Dairy beef continued to grow its share of prime cattle supply, accounting for 37% of cattle slaughtered aged 12-30 months in 2024. This trend counteracts declines in both suckler beef and dairy bull calves.

Key Breeds

Aberdeen Angus X cattle made up the greatest proportion of total Great Britain slaughter for the second consecutive year in 2024. Of these, 57% were dairy beef, with the remainder suckler-born.

Limousin X cattle were the second highest proportion of Great Britain slaughter, with 80% of these cattle suckler-bred. In contrast, 84% of British Blue X cattle slaughtered in 2024 were dairy beef animals.

Original story: AHDB

FMD Case Sparks Calls for Action on Illegal Meat

Calls for Stronger Security Measures Following Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

The UK government has been urged to deploy significantly stronger security measures to combat illegal meat imports following a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary last week.

On 6th March, Hungary confirmed its first FMD outbreak in over 50 years, with the case found on a cattle farm near the border with Slovakia. This follows a reported case of the virus in a herd of water buffalo in Germany earlier this year, the first in the country since 1988.

In response, the UK government has prevented the commercial import of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and their untreated products, such as meat and dairy, from Hungary and Slovakia. Additionally, travellers are no longer able to bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products, animal by-products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw from these countries to Britain.

However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has called for even greater measures to combat illegal imports, citing significant risks to animal health and the UK’s biosecurity. FUW President Ian Rickman stressed the importance of vigilance and enhanced security measures to protect the agricultural sector and rural economy.

Original story: FarmingUK

AIMS Launches Legal Challenge Against FSA Charges

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), has initiated legal proceedings against the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over the charges imposed on the meat industry.

Peter Hewson, Veterinary Director at AIMS, explained the rationale behind this decision: “Firstly, the FSA’s focus on discussing the meat charges as a ‘subsidy’ rather than addressing the root causes of the excessively high charges. Secondly, the significant increase in charges set to be introduced from April 2025, which will see an 11% rise for the industry overall and a 25% increase for medium-sized abattoirs.”

Legal counsel has advised that the challenge should address three key issues:

  • Unlawful Cost Inclusion: The FSA has included costs in its calculation of the new hourly rates of £65.90 for an Official Veterinarian (OV) and £43.20 for a Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI) that cannot lawfully be included.
  • Transparency Issues: It is unclear which elements of the charges are “costs connected with” official controls, rather than the chargeable costs of exercising the official controls themselves, which fails to meet the requirement for high transparency.
  • Excessive Enforcement Charges: Charges for enforcement activities exceed the recovery of expenses allowed by the Regulations.

“Our letter asks the FSA to strip out all costs from its hourly rates that cannot be lawfully charged, and we urge them to re-evaluate their calculations,” Hewson concluded.

This legal action marks a significant step in addressing the financial pressures faced by the meat industry due to regulatory charges.

Germany Regains FMD Free Status

Germany Regains Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status

Germany has regained its status as free of foot-and-mouth disease in most areas, paving the way for the lifting of export restrictions on meat and dairy products, according to the country’s agriculture ministry. The announcement follows Germany’s first outbreak of the disease in nearly 40 years, which was confirmed on January 10 in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin in the Brandenburg region.

The outbreak has remained limited to a single case, with no further reports since. While the source of the infection is still unknown, most domestic restrictions have already been lifted. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has accepted Germany’s application to be declared free of foot-and-mouth disease in most regions. As of March 12, all of Germany, except for a small containment zone around the original case, has been declared foot-and-mouth-free.

This development is expected to enable the lifting of export restrictions on German meat and dairy products, benefiting the country’s agricultural exports.

References

Original story: Reuters

Record Production Amid Declining Australian Cattle and Sheep Herds – MLA

Australia’s Cattle and Sheep Herds Expected to Decline in 2025

Australia’s national cattle herd and sheep flock are projected to decline slightly in 2025 due to record production, slaughter, and exports meeting demand, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2025 Cattle and Sheep Industry Projections.

The cattle herd is expected to fall by 1.4% to 30.1 million head, driven by increased turn-off of older breeding cows and dry conditions in Southern Australia. The sheep flock is projected to decrease by 7.4% to 73.2 million head due to the turn-off of older breeding ewes and challenging seasonal conditions.

MLA Managing Director Michael Crowley stated that the red meat industry is prepared to meet global demand in 2025, with record production and elevated slaughter rates supported by strong demand from established global supply chain relationships.

Cattle

Australia produced more beef than ever in 2024, despite slaughter volumes being 7% below the previous record in 2014, thanks to higher carcase weights from increased grainfed production. Crowley noted that producers are growing more efficient and productive cattle, which is crucial given the significant global demand for beef.

As the US begins its herd rebuild and drought conditions in Brazil ease, global beef supply is expected to tighten. Efficient logistics and supply chain management will be essential to maintaining processing flow and preventing bottlenecks.

Sheep

Older breeding ewes retained from the 2020–22 rebuild will exit the system in 2025, contributing to the decline in the national flock. Sheep slaughter is forecast to decline by 17% to 9.8 million head, while lamb slaughter is expected to reach 26.2 million head, a slight 0.5% decline from 2024.

Despite the decline in the national sheep flock, lamb production is projected to reach 628,648 tonnes in 2025, driven by genetic improvements in weight gain and yield. Crowley highlighted that elevated sheep slaughter levels at the end of 2024 mean lambs not processed last year will be processed in early 2025.

Australia and New Zealand account for over 80% of global sheepmeat exports. The decline in New Zealand’s sheep flock provides an opportunity for Australian exporters to maintain their global dominance in 2025.

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