Awareness among farmers and operators in the agri-food supply chain of unfair trading practices (UTPs) is “still too low”, according to a new report from the European Commission. The commission said that its report on the implementation of the directive on UTPs – which became law in all EU member states in mid-2021 – was one of the commitments in response to farmer protests around Europe earlier this year. The report is based on a survey targeting farmers and agri-food operators in the EU that was carried out by the commission between late February and mid-March. The report outlines some “are ..read more

Producer prices for dairy products fell back by 23.7% over the 12-month period to March 2024, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The wholesale price index for 2024 shows that for food products overall, producer prices fell by 9.1% in that 12-month period. Apart from the decrease for dairy products, a slight decrease of 0.3% was also noted for meat and meat products in that period. Decreases in producer prices were also recorded for vegetable and animal oils and fats (down 6%) and grain milling, starches and animal feeds (down 6.8%). Some products saw increases in producer price ..read more

The sustainability of the Irish pig sector and how it has performed up to this point was commended by those in the industry recently. It was a key aspect of the Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) Symposium held yesterday (Tuesday, April 16) at the Curragh Racecourse Exhibition Hall in Co. Kildare. Professor of monogastric nutrition, John O’Doherty said at the symposium that “we often think at the moment, the only sustainability pillar is the environment”. “But, there is an economic sustainability figure, and there is also a social impact pillar as well,” he said. He said people also call them th ..read more

Ireland reported a 1.8% increase in prices for meat in February 2024, compared with the same month last year, Eurostat has revealed. In February 2024, most European Union (EU) countries reported an increase in prices for meat, compared with February 2023. The highest increase was recorded in Bulgaria (8.2%), followed by Romania (7.7%) and Croatia (7.1%). However, prices in Ireland increased by 1.8%, while in contrast, three countries recorded a decrease in the prices for meat: Czechia (-5.1%), Finland (-2.2%) and Denmark (-0.6%). Source: Eurostat In February 2024, the price of meat in the&nbs ..read more

The largest producer and distributor of fresh eggs in the United States has been forced to destroy 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets because of an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu). Cal-Maine Foods also confirmed that it has “temporarily ceased” production at one of its Texas based facilities after it “tested positive” for the virus. The company said it had culled approximately 3.6% of its total flock as it followed the protocols set out by the  US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in relation to an outbreak of bird flu. In a statement it said:” Cal-Maine Foods&nb ..read more

The UK government has self-declared “zonal freedom” from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu). The UK does not currently have outbreaks of bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, and the current risk to poultry from bird flu in Great Britain has been assessed as low. The UK declaration is being reviewed and will be published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) shortly. However, the UK government said the disease continues to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe. In the UK, the following number of cases of bird flu have been confirmed since Octob ..read more

Kildare-based Little Hill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary has emerged as a winner in the first special draw of the 2024 Movement for Good Awards, receiving €5,000. The charity has been operating since 2011. It specialises in rescuing and rehoming commercial egg-laying hens that are due to be culled. Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland and its parent company Benefact Group, are giving away over one million to help charities change lives for the better through the 2024 awards. Across the UK and Ireland, €370,000 is being donated in €1,000 grants throughout the year. €250,000 is being given away ..read more

The total number of cattle slaughtered in February rose by 5.5% to almost 165,000 head when compared to the same month a year earlier, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Although the latest livestock slaughterings report, published today (Thursday March, 28) by the CSO shows an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered in contrast the number of sheep slaughtered last month fell marginally compared to February 2023 figures. Mairead Griffin, statistician in the CSO agriculture accounts and production section said: “The number of sheep slaughtered fell by ..read more

The outlook for the European poultry industry is “moderately positive” as chicken remains an affordable choice for consumers according to Rabobank’s latest global poultry quarterly report. Feed prices are also expected to drop slightly and with shoppers opting for chicken as beef and prices remain at higher levels poultry demand is expected to grow. The bank has also highlighted that in 2023 the European poultry industry had to contend with “oversupply” due to production expansion and what it described as strong imports from Ukraine. This was reflected in a drop in European chicken prices in ..read more

Sheep numbers were down by 4.9% in June 2023 according to the latest compiled data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO has today, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 released the Crops and Livestock Survey Final Results June 2023.  Commenting on the release, statistician in the Agriculture Division of the CSO, Sophie Emerson said: “The final results for June 2023 show that the total number of sheep in the country decreased by 293,200 (-4.9%) to 5,674,400 when compared with June 2022. “The number of other sheep fell by 288,900 (-9.9%) to 2,624,800,” she a ..read more