Livestock & Meat

摘要

BSE risk assessment upgrades: The European Food Safety Commission (EFSA) has issued new advice on the BSE risk status of seven countries. The US and Canada have had their risk status upgraded to GBR 3 following discoveries of the disease in both countries, along with South Africa and Mexico. Norway and Sweden have been placed in the GBR 2 category. Acrobacter discovered in German fresh meat: Tests carried out at the Free University of Berlin by the Food Hygiene Group have discovered that 37% of chicken legs and 4% of minced beef at a Berlin market were infected with acrobacter. N Irish livestock decline: Preliminary results of the June 2004 agricultural census in Northern Ireland indicate a drop of 1% in overall numbers of both cattle and sheep, anda 2% fall for pigs. Avian flu found in Chinese pigs: Scientists in China say they have discovered the H5N1 virus in pigs tested this year and in 2003. The Chinese ministry of agriculture, however, has played down the findings. US/Japan beef trade: According to US meat industry officials, the Japanese market for US beef is likely to remain closed for the rest of 2004. A Japanese government source told the Reuters news agency that "tough negotiations" were ongoing.