IFA Pigs and Pig meat Committee

Newsletter July 2014

IFA National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee activity update July 2014

Chairman attends EU Pig Inno-vation Group meeting. This group endeavours to harness all pig research in Europe in one place to make it more ac-cessible & avoid duplication.

Meeting on market Manage-ment tools with analysts—IFA is currently examining tools to protect farmers from market volatility.

IFA pigs committee meet with DAFM on the Rural Develop-ment programme particularly TAMs. IFA have submitted a number of proposals & re-quested all farmers lobby for a fair inclusion for pig farm-ers.

IFA met with DAFM on the legality of submitting signa-tures on the Form 3. DAFM assured the committee that no legal issues arise from this.

IFA pigs committee met with Professor Paddy Wall in rela-tion to carrying out a review of the DNA programme—the final document is expected.

Chairman Pat O’Flaherty pre-sented on pig welfare to the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council.

Vice Chairman Maurice O’Bri-en attends IFA Executive

Council meeting & Irish Food Lobbying session.

IFA Pigs Committee met with Glanbia to press for a de-crease in feed prices. A de-crease has happened with more to follow.

IFA met with the EPA in rela-tion to Tank & Pipeline Asses-ments & other issues of con-cern.

IFA pigs committee Teagasc Sub-group members attend Teagasc stakeholder meeting in Moorepark. This was the first meeting to be chaired by Michael Berkery who took over from Jimmy Brett as Chairman. The group re-viewed the plans for the new piggery & toured the site.

IFA Committee Activities

June/July 2014

Chairman Pat O’ Flaherty

Country Ave Wk 1-30 Wk 30 Wk 30 2013

Netherlands 1.48 1.46 1.68

Belgium 1.51 1.51 1.71

Denmark 1.56 1.56 1.67

France 1.60 1.68 1.81

Spain 1.74 1.91 1.93

Germany 1.55 1.55 1.75

GB 1.93 1.98 1.95

Ireland 1.54 1.61 1.59

Pig Prices corrected for VAT,

kill Out Lean Meat Percentage (ISN) €/kg)

It is disappointing that pig prices

have dipped in July, IFA is main-

taining pressure on retailers both

by meeting them to express our

concerns over the latest BB audit

results as well as upping the ante

DNA testing at retail level. IFA met

recently with Glanbia and there is

definitely scope for millers to re-

duce feed across the board as

some have already moved. Please

continue to lobby TD’s on the rural

development programme. On

farm investment will be vital in en-

suring that we

remain effi-

cient and com-

petitive into

the future.

IFA have been in continual talks with the Irish Department of Agri-culture as well as the EU Commis-sion through COPA in relation to increasing controls and testing to prevent the entry of PEDv into Ire-land. The EU produces 22 million tons of pig meat each year, 13% of which is exported and protecting this industry from infection is vital. Emerging PED viruses are circu-lating in North America affecting pigs and causing major losses par-ticularly to the US pig industry. The USA and Canada are authorised to export live pigs to the EU. Approxi-mately 900 pigs with a high genetic value were imported in 2013. The Commission last month intro-duced temporary safeguard measures to allow for the safe im-port of live pigs from the US and Canada. Testing procedures have been endorsed by Member State experts and live pigs from these countries entering the EU will be

tested for Porcine Epidemic Diar-rhoea (PED) . These measures follow discus-sions held last week during the World Assembly of the World Organization for Animal Health and complement temporary im-port requirements previously agreed on pig blood products that may be used for feeding pig-lets. The Commission has also asked the European Food Safety Au-thority to carry out a scientific opinion on emerging PED viruses that will enable a more thorough review of the disease situation and risk mitigation measures.

Member States were also re-minded of the need to strengthen biosecurity at farm level. DAFM has produced a document on increasing biose-curity protocols which was circulated to all vets. It is

worthwhile discussing this with your vet or Teagasc advisor.

Animal Health: Commission proposes temporary import requirements on live pigs from North America

OIE Updates their PRRS Chapter

The OIE Animal Health Standards Commission have updated their chapter on PRRS so that coun-tries can apply for freedom.

There is no distinction made for trade between PRRS positive countries, where obviously addi-tional testing would be com-pletely unnecessary and could have a big impact on countries exporting weaners for finish-ing. Although the OIE has no legal powers, all the export cer-tificates reflect OIE guidance so whatever ends up in the text is likely to be abided by. IFA have been in contact with DAFM on this & will be watching develop-ments closely.

International grain prices stabilised this week led by a recovery in milling wheat as wet weather takes its toll on the French milling wheat crop. In addition news that Canadian grain and oilseed production is expected to fall by 19mt, exceeding market ex-pectations, was supportive of prices. Early season flooding led to signifi-cant crop abandonment estimated at 5.5 million acres in the 2 key states of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. To-tal Canadian grain and oilseed pro-duction for the current crop year is forecast at 71.2mt compared to 90.1mt last season. The overhang of rejected French milling wheat is ex-pected to put some downward pres-sure on the feed wheat market. How-ever, London feed wheat futures moved higher by st£1.25/t in early

morning trade. Further technical sell-ing of maize futures by funds is antic-ipated as they move to reduce their net long position.

The winter barley harvest is making good progress this week. Yields, while good, are down on last harvest. Reports from around the country indicate a 0.3t/ha to 0.6t/ha yield drop on last season. Moistures off the combine are excellent this week ranging from 13.5% to 17%. Some winter oats has been cut. Yields are somewhat ahead of last season but it is too early to call a final yield with much of the crop yet to be harvest-ed.

Irish dried spot wheat prices are low-er again this week ranging from €190/t to €191/t compared to €192/t

to €196/t the previous week. Dried barley prices were marginally weaker trading from €163/t to €166/t com-pared to €163/t to €168/t last week. New crop dried wheat for November collection is €1/t lower ranging from €172/t to €175/t compared to previ-ous week quotes of €173/t to €176/t. New crop dried barley for Oct/Nov collection was steady trading from €164/t to €167/t. Quotes for green barley are ranging from €130/t to €135/t (at 20% moisture exclusive of vat). However, deals are being done at €140/t (excl. vat) collected ex yard for barley averaging 17% to 18% moisture. Old crop spot maize is firmer this week, up €2/t, trading at €178/t but new crop on a run until April is weaker trading down €2/t to €175/t.

Grain Market Update – 24th July 2014—Fintan Conway, IFA Grain Committee Executive

Monthly Feed Recording data

Every month, a number of farmers

supply compound and home milled

data to Teagasc to calculate the cost

of feed. Although we appreciate

farmers supplying this data, of late,

there has been a delay in gathering

the data which is problematic. We

cannot express to producers how

important it is that this practice is

maintained as it provides us with an

estimate of the cost of production

on farm and solid data which is used

in negotiations with stakeholders.

We are asking that the producers

supplying the data will send it into

Teagasc as promptly as possible but

also that more farmers would get

involved in this survey.

Thank you

Please contact Ciaran Carroll, head

of the Pig Production Development

Department in relation to this—

Ciaran.carroll@teagasc.ie, 025-

42388, 087-2462925

Aldi Centra Dunnes Lidl Spar SuperValu Tesco

Product Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2

Bacon 76% 66% 100% 100% 77%

93% 38%

46% 100%

67%

60%

81%

81%

Ham 67% 56% 65% 59% 40%

29% 53%

71%

17% 16%

55%

58%

38%

41%

Pork 100% 100% 100% 78% 100%

93% 100%

74% 0% 100%

94%

93%

92%

93%

Rashers 63% 58% 79% 89% 80%

83% 68%

64%

71% 87%

76%

70%

78%

81%

Sausages 28% 30% 20% 17% 10% 6% 0% 0%

14% 0%

19%

14%

53%

51%

Bord Bia Quarter 2 Audit Results—Pigmeat

For this months pig league I carried

out a review of the most recent Bord

Bia Audit results which reflect the

number of pig meat products on shelf

at one particular time that are carry-

ing the quality Assurance Logo. The

main observations are:

Although Aldi were one of the

only retailers to maintain a

100% record on fresh pork, the

number of Quality assured ba-

con products fell by 10% and

7% in Supervalu. Rashers fell

by 5% and 6% respectively in

these two retailers.

Cooked ham products which

heretofore had been gaining

ground in terms of the number

carrying the QA logo took a hit

too with only three retailers,

Lidl, Supervalu and Tesco in-

creasing their support in this

category.

Aside from the discounters and

Supervalu, the all-important

rasher performance was on the

whole up.

On the back of these results and

pending the most recent DNA retail

results, IFA will be meeting with all

retailers to ensure that no attempt is

made to recoup the recent price drop

into their margin.

IFA has mounted a considerable campaign over the last two

months to press Minister Coveney to ensure that farmers are

treated fairly under the new Rural Development Programme.

Please continue to impress on your local TD’s the importance of

grant aid to upgrade pig buildings with a realistic investment ceil-

ing under the TAMs programme, the importance of promoting pig

manure use in the GLAS programme and a fair allocation of fund-

ing for discussion groups. Left: IFA Pigs Chairman Pat O’Flaherty

with IFA President Eddie Downey protesting in Dublin on this issue.

Rural Development Programme

IFA/Teagasc Joint Programme activity & research update

Information & Events Update Janu-ary to June 2014

January Review & Outlook 2014 news-

letter Kaitlynn Glover (Walsh Fellow)

commenced PigSys Study February Edgar Garcia Manzanilla (Pig

Nutrition Researcher) started March EIP Meeting in UK PIGAP Calculator revised &

updated Discussion Groups Website reported increased

number of hits since revamp

April Nitrates Regulations & Re-

search Update newsletter Biosecurity Booklet Teagasc stand at Pig Health

Society Symposium: PigSys demo, research info handouts, launch of Biosecurity Booklet

Manure Transport Calculator (for GLAS) submission

May Pig Stakeholder meeting re

new pig research facility (200 sow option subsequently ap-proved)

Teagasc meeting with Rosderra Pig Manure - A Valuable Ferti-

liser: demo at Ballacolla, Laois

& Inishannon, Cork Pig Manure - A Valuable Ferti-

liser booklet PigSys Workshops: Clonakilty,

Moorepark, Portlaoise, Kildal-ton

Teagasc/SEAI workshops Discussion Groups: Clonakilty,

Moorepark June Today’s Farm: Article on Slurry

Demos (Pig Manure - A Valua-ble Fertiliser)

Biosecurity Newsletter Research article for Irish Farm-

ers Monthly magazine Teagasc/SEAI workshops

Teagasc Pig Development Department Research Programme

Recent Research Testing the safety of genetical-

ly modified (GM) feed ingredi-ents in pigs

Effect of maternal backfat lev-els and feed allowance during gestation on

offspring growth Preventing lameness in Irish

pigs Alternative uses for pig ma-

nure A novel transport system

(TRANSUS) for slaughter pigs Ongoing Research Assessing and managing the

risk posed by Salmonella in

farm produced pig feed Targeted low cost solutions for

control of Salmonella in pig production (LoCost-SalmPig)

A whole systems approach to optimising feed efficiency and reducing the ecological foot-print of monogastrics (ECO-FCE)

Optimising output per sow (OPTIPIG)

Exploring Net Energy (NE) and amino acid (aa) balance in Irish pig diets

Phase feeding use in Irish pig production

Development of ante and post mortem meat inspection of

pigs as a welfare diagnostic tool

Exploring the link between poor welfare, production dis-eases, antimicrobial usage and resistance on Irish pig farms (WELPIG)

Record Keeping in Irish Pig Pro-duction: Factors Affecting En-rolment in Teagasc PigSys/ePM

CANtogether – Crops and ANi-mals together

Development of On-Farm Co-Digestion of the Organic Frac-tion of Municipal Solid Waste and Animal Manure for Bioen-ergy Production and Resource Recycling (GREEN FARM)

Mr. Michael Berkery, previous Gen-

eral Secretary of the IFA (and Execu-

tive Secretary of the Pigs Committee)

has taken on the role of Chairman of

the Teagasc Joint Programme Stake-

holders group. The first meeting of

this group met on July 18th in

Moorepark.

As you can see above, there is a lot

of activity happening between re-

search and advisory within Teagasc,

however it is up to farmers to max-

imise the service by contacting their

advisors and participating.

Building will commence soon on the

new 200 sow piggery, a state of the

art research facility which will enable

Teagasc to carry out a broader range

of applied pig research. The opinion

of farmers in relation to research is

important and Teagasc would wel-

come comments in relation to pro-

posed projects. Two new research-

ers and two new advisors have been

recruited to service the pig industry

but it is vital that pig producers make

use of the service.

Please contact your advisor to dis-

cuss what the joint programme enti-

tles you too. All producers are enti-

tled to an annual visit by their advi-

sor, and can attend or send staff to

the training free of charge.

Update on African Swine Fever in Eastern Europe—Sally Gaynor, Superintending Veteri-

nary Inspector, NDCC & Veterinary International Division, DAFM.

The first confirmed case of ASF on a commercial pig farm in Europe (also a confirmed outbreak on a small 5-pig farm in Poland) has been con-firmed.

ASF has now been confirmed in a commercial pig farm in Rupinskai Village, Ignalina District, Lithuania.

The farm has 19,411 pigs (1,396 sows, 10,167 piglets, 7,622 pigs of 3-8 months, 213 pigs > 8 months, 13 boars)

Increased mortalities were notified on 23 July & samples taken

Disease was confirmed on 24 July (36/40 samples positive on PCR,

38/40 samples positive on antigen ELISA)

All pigs have been killed using car-bon dioxide

Feedstuffs & manure will be treated & destroyed

Protection & Surveillance Zones are in place

Within the 3 km Protection Zone there are 19 pig farms (total 62 pigs)

Within the 10 km Surveillance Zone there are 57 pig farms (total 150 pigs)

There are 11 contact farms

One of these received 400 pigs from the infected premises on 10 July & subsequently dispatched 2 consign-ments of pigs to Latvia on 22 & 23 July – this contact farm has been sampled & tested negative

A second contact farm received 600 pigs from the infected premises on 17 July & subsequently dispatched a consignment of pigs to Poland on 16 July – this contact farm has also been sampled & tested negative

Investigations into the source of the disease are ongoing

Focus on biosecurity has never been more important!

Bord Bia update—Peter Duggan

The latest research carried out by Bord Bia shows that awareness of the Bacon and Ham TV advert re-mained broadly stable at 78% amongst the key target audience (30-60 year old, female shopper) in 2014 compared to 2013.

However, awareness of the campaign has risen by two percentage points during 2014 amongst the general population to 68% compared to 2013 levels. In the months of June and Ju-ly, the Ham and Bacon PR marketing activity focused on recipe landings

for various different regional and national print newspapers.

On-line marketing activity for the past two months focused on ensur-ing that Bord Bia Ham and Bacon rec-ipes featured on the first page of hits when searching through internet search engines.

Bord Bia has launched a new recipe book, ‘Food for Family and Friends’ which features pork, ham, and bacon recipes. This publication was launched at the Bloom festival over the June bank holiday weekend.

Bord Bia continues to market Ham and Bacon through our social media platforms. During July, Ham Taco’s were advertised through our Face-book page as seen below.

The next

three week

Ham and Ba-

con TV ad-

vertising

burst is

scheduled for

October.

The EU has secured the creation of a disputes

panel at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

which will examine the legality under world

trade law of Russia's ban on imports of live

pigs, pork and other products.

The EU argument is that the ban is scientifically

unjustified while the Russians argue that with

the continued outbreaks in the European terri-

tory, the EU efforts to prevent the further

spread of the disease are ineffective.

WTO Panel formed on legality of Russian

pigmeat import Ban

Bord Bia—first Quarter DNA results

If you have queries or comments on anything contained in this newsletter or the work of the committee,

please do not hesitate to contact any of the committee members.

IFA DNA Testing shows Butchers in a poor light

Butcher Samples Assigned Not assigned Country of Origin

Butcher 1 10 0 10 No

Butcher 2 11 3 8 No

Butcher 3 9 5 4 No

Butcher 4 4 0 4 No

Butcher 5 8 0 8 No

Butcher 6 15 11 4 No

Butcher 7 15 3 12 No

Butcher 8 14 9 5 No

Butcher 9 15 14 1 No

Butcher 10 15 9 6 No

Butcher 11 5 5 0 No

The most recent DNA sampling was The most recent DNA sampling was

carried out between a wellcarried out between a well--known known

secondary processor and certified secondary processor and certified

craft butchers. Of the secondary pro-craft butchers. Of the secondary pro-

cessors samples 16 were not as-cessors samples 16 were not as-

signed to the database, 23 were as-signed to the database, 23 were as-

signed to the database and 6 merited signed to the database and 6 merited

further investigation. This is an im-further investigation. This is an im-

provement of the performance of provement of the performance of

this processor over 2013, however this processor over 2013, however

testing will continue to maintain testing will continue to maintain

pressure. pressure.

The other 121 were from butcher’s The other 121 were from butcher’s

shops and of these 59 were assigned shops and of these 59 were assigned

to the database, and 62 were not to the database, and 62 were not

assigned to the database. A meeting assigned to the database. A meeting

is taking place with the Association of is taking place with the Association of

Craft Butchers Ireland to discuss the Craft Butchers Ireland to discuss the

results. Although butchers are not results. Although butchers are not

required to label the product as Irish required to label the product as Irish

or not Irish, under the ACBI or not Irish, under the ACBI

‘Certified’ butchers scheme, there is ‘Certified’ butchers scheme, there is

a requirement that the country of a requirement that the country of

Origin would be displayed in the Origin would be displayed in the

shop, however none of the shops shop, however none of the shops

visited were displaying this signage. visited were displaying this signage.

The IFA pigs committee met with The IFA pigs committee met with

Kerry Foods to discuss their increas-Kerry Foods to discuss their increas-

ing uptake of the QA logo and latest ing uptake of the QA logo and latest

DNA results. The DNA results. The Kerry personnel Kerry personnel

indicated that in terms of the vol-indicated that in terms of the vol-

umes commitment umes commitment –– what has been what has been

promised (10% increase in the first promised (10% increase in the first

quarter & 15% of volumes pur-quarter & 15% of volumes pur-

chased) this has been delivered, chased) this has been delivered,

however there is an issue in that on however there is an issue in that on

an overall basis Kerry purchases are an overall basis Kerry purchases are

down. Furthermore Kerry has put down. Furthermore Kerry has put

the logo on four skews including the logo on four skews including

Shaws (plain and crumbed ham) and Shaws (plain and crumbed ham) and

has launched a new Shaws parch-has launched a new Shaws parch-

ment product and this will also carry ment product and this will also carry

the Quality Assurance logo.the Quality Assurance logo.

This month IFA is targeting a number This month IFA is targeting a number

of retailers for testing. We are taking of retailers for testing. We are taking

the results of the most recent Bord the results of the most recent Bord

Bia audit into consideration. This Bia audit into consideration. This

data will further support IFA in our data will further support IFA in our

meetings meetings with retailers.