Animal health issues dominated this week's cattle news. The EC has announced that it is providing a budget of €223 million to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in the EU-27 over the year 2009. Bluetongue disease has been singled out as a priority. French producers, which struggled with over 32,000 cases last year, are also launching a strategic attack on the disease.
In Britain, the compensation claims from producers affected by the Pirbright Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2007 were dismissed by the high-court. The National Farmers Union not only expressed their disappointment in this decision, but also in the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) proposals for a nine per cent rise in meat inspection charges at abattoirs. They say the proposal is "inappropriate", "ill-judged" and "unaffordable".
Meanwhile, BSE reared its ugly head in a Northern state of the Czech Republic. Culls are to follow. Adam Anson
This week's Shop Focus
Wildlife Artwork Prints
Have a look at our range of animal artwork prints from Richard Whittlestone, a truly great wildlife artist.
Meat Intake and Mortality
A controversial new report has linked the consumption of red and processed meat with causes of death - in particular cancer, writes TheCattleSite senior editor Chris Harris.
Implications for Reducing Chemical Fertilizer Inputs in Beef Production
Lynne Dawson, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Hillsborough examines the effects of zero Nitrogen (N)fertilizer input on grass growth and animal performance.
Different Manures and their Impact on Phosphorus Runoff
The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative, reports on the forms of phosphorus (P) in different manures and their impact on phosphorus runoff and leaching losses from manure amended soils.
New Zealand Livestock and Products
CY 2009 total slaughter is forecast at 3.895 million head, down slightly from last year, but up from the 3.65 million head originally forecasted, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
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