Dear readers,

Let’s start the week with the good news of the pig industry:

• The European Livestock and Meat Trades Union (UECBV), on its annual meeting, held last week in Warsaw, under the motto „Match more than Meat”, established the target to achieve the establishment of the World Meat Day : “The right to consume animal protein is an inalienable human right. Without it, the maintenance of human life and the growth of a young organism is jeopardized. Animal proteins are the foundation of modern civilization and humanity. Animal proteins are an indispensable dietary component. In their absence, hunger and malnutrition persist, which has historically led to conflicts and the collapse of societies. Today, the meat sector actively promotes sustainable development and boosts agricultural productivity. Animal husbandry has improved the standard of living of rural communities, strengthening resilience in both rural and urban areas during crises. Furthermore, livestock is essential for international governance and trade relations. Therefore, we, the representatives of farmers, livestock breeders, meat processors and scientists, recognizing the importance of animal husbandry and meat production for human well-being and livelihood, along with the nutritional security of nations, solemnly establish June 6 as World Meat Day.
  By adopting this Declaration, we aspire to its lasting integration into the agriculture, livestock and meat industries, as well as into the collective consciousness of all nations, serving as a continuous reminder of the importance of animal protein for human existence and national economies.”
• France and Spain had demanded at the Agriculture Council in Luxembourg that the European Commission take joint control of the fight against animal diseases, calling for coordinated vaccination programs against infections such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bluetongue disease and ASF. This statement was widely welcomed by the other member states. Spain’s Agriculture Minister called for member states to be supported in setting up antigen databases and providing sufficient quantities of vaccines. He also insisted that EU budget funds should „under no circumstances” be cut.
• USDA announced investments of  $20.2 million in 26 projects through the Local Meat Capacity grant program to expand independent meat and poultry processing capacity. Two additional projects (totaling another $7.8 million), which have been selected to move forward, are in final review with the USDA.
• Taiwan has been declared free of African swine fever (ASF), bringing the nation one step closer to being the only place in Asia unaffected by the three major swine diseases. It is now the second nation in East Asia to be granted the status after Japan. If the WOAH approves Taiwan’s application to be declared free of classical swine fever in May next year as hoped, it is to be the first in Asia to be officially free of the three major swine diseases: foot-and-mouth disease, ASF and classical swine fever.

Events calendar:

• FoodWeek Uzbekistan is one of the oldest and most significant trade fairs for the food industry in Central Asia. It serves as an essential meeting point for professionals from around the world. The exhibition takes place at the UEC Uzexpocentre on 3 days from Tuesday, 05.11.2024 to Thursday, 07.11.2024 in Tashkent.
• The GASTROFOOD Fair in Krakow(Poland), an established event in the world of gastronomy and hospitality, is held at the International Exhibition and Convention Center Expo Krakow on 3 days from Wednesday, 06.11.2024 to Friday, 08.11.2024.
• Cosmofood is an annual food and wine, beverage and technology fair that take place at Centro Fiera di Vicenza (Italy) The tenth anniversary edition takes place on 3 days from Wednesday, 06.11.2024 to Friday, 08.11.2024.
• The Vietfood & Beverage in Hanoi(Vietnam) is an international trade fair for food and beverages, held annually. This year it will take place on 4 days from Wednesday, 06. November to Saturday, 09. November 2024.
• The Autumn Fair in Bolzano is an annual event traditionally held in November in the picturesque South Tyrol. The  fair will take place on 4 days from Thursday, 07. November to Sunday, 10. November 2024.
• MEAT DAYS is a leading trade fair in Greece, specializing in the meat industry and related equipment. As a biennial event, it primarily caters to professionals from slaughterhouses, butcheries, as well as wholesale and retail sectors. It also offers valuable insights and networking opportunities for engineering firms, researchers, and industry organizations. The exhibition is held at Athens Metropolitan Expo. Ittakes place on 3 days from Saturday, 09.11.2024 to Monday, 11.11.2024. See you there!

America

As usual, most of the  good news are coming from other continents, in Europe we rarely see active measures to support our industry. It becomes more and more difficult to  breed pigs and produce pork in Europe, the measures are more against us.

The state government in Lower Saxony, Germany, wants to support livestock farmers in restructuring their businesses. As part of the future diversification program, farmers can receive grants for investments to create new income alternatives. The prerequisite for this is that they must reduce their livestock partially or completely. €6.5 million is available each year for investments in inventory and structural investments in existing buildings (up to a maximum of 30% extension of the existing building) and associated architectural and engineering services are eligible for funding. The funding rate is up to 50% of the investment costs. The grant amount must be over €5,000 and not exceed €300,000.By supporting diversification, the state government is reacting to the declining number of animals and livestock farms, according to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture. According to me, it is determining the reduction of the livestock!

In the neighboring Netherlands Best Star Meat, part of Van Loon Group, announced that it will close its production location in Roosendaal as of March 31, 2025. This decision is the result of a thorough evaluation of current market conditions and the need to improve operational efficiency.

Back in Germany pork market leader Tönnies started a broad dialogue process at the beginning of this year to arrive at a balanced breeding, the abundance of meat is no longer central. Pig slaughterhouse Tönnies will place more emphasis on robustness and animal welfare when purchasing meat pigs from the beginning of 2025, and somewhat less on muscle thickness and ham weight. Among other things, there will be a bonus when pigs are supplied with undocked tails. From 1 January 2025, the optimal weight range for the pigs to be supplied will be between 88 and 107 kilograms slaughter weight. The bonus for pigs of German origin within Initiative Tierwohl will be discontinued from 1 January 2025. For pigs with undocked tails in holding type 3, the company will pay a surcharge of 10 euros per animal from 1 January 2025. Pigs kept according to this standard have 40 percent more space than legally required and are in direct contact with the outside air. This will mean extra cost for farmers, hard to be covered by the current pig quotation, let’s see what will happen on 6 of January , until than the quotation will probably remain unchanged.

            Anyhow, this weeks major event is the U.S. election. On 5 of November Americans are deciding the future president and also vote for House and Senate representatives. As the US is also one of the major players on the agriculture and protein market, we have to keep our eyes on America!