Moscow/Brasilia | Reuters – Russia will place temporary restrictions on imports of pork and beef products from Brazil from Dec. 1, the country’s agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said on Monday. Russia said last week it was considering a ban on all pork and beef imports from Brazil after finding the feed additive ractopamine in some […] Read more
Russia to restrict Brazilian pork, beef imports from Dec. 1
Banff Pork Seminar offers ‘powerhouse program’
Reading Time: < 1 minute The 47th Banff Pork Seminar from Jan. 9 to 11 at the Banff Springs Hotel will once again have a “powerhouse program,” says co-chair, Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra of the University of Alberta. It will feature “innovation, latest technology, challenging thinking on the big issues of the day combined with production information that producers can implement […] Read more
New Alberta rep on Canadian Pork Council
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dan Majeau is the new Alberta rep on the Canadian Pork Council, a federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms. Among the council’s priority issues are pushing Ottawa to take a leadership role in completing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. The organization has also been working the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to resolve issues […] Read more
TPP talks without U.S. near final stretch
Urayasu, Japan | Reuters — The 11 remaining nations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States edged toward sealing a comprehensive free trade pact after New Zealand agreed to amend laws that are not subject to TPP, to enable its ban on foreign home purchases. The pact aims to eliminate tariffs on industrial […] Read more
Maple Leaf Q3 profit beats on overall sales growth
Reuters — Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s biggest pork processors, posted a quarterly profit that beat analysts’ estimates, helped by growth across all its businesses. The company, whose brands include Schneiders, Maple Leaf and, since March, Lightlife, said adjusted operating earnings rose to $65.15 million in the third quarter from $61.52 million a year […] Read more
Mexico considers pork in response to NAFTA produce proposal
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexican negotiators are working on a response to informal U.S. proposals to include protections for fresh produce in the re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), two people briefed on the proposals said. U.S., Canadian and Mexican delegations finished a second round of talks last week to renegotiate […] Read more
Alberta Pork website gets a revamp
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Pork has launched a new version of its website. In addition to information and recipes for consumers, the website offers answers to questions such as, ‘Why are most pigs raised indoors?’ and whether added hormones are found in pork. It has also numerous resources for producers. This includes information on animal care, traceability, biosecurity, […] Read more
Canadian pork shipment flagged in China for ractopamine
Winnipeg | Reuters — A Canadian shipment of pig feet to China, produced by meat packer Olymel, has tested positive for residues of banned growth drug ractopamine and may curb future trade, Canadian government and industry officials say. China views the tainted shipment as a “systemic failure” of Canada’s program that certifies pork sent to China […] Read more
Ag groups tout potential of trade pact with China
Canadian ag commodity groups expect to make a case for freer trade with China during consultations now underway alongside Ottawa’s talks on a possible free trade deal with Beijing. Federal Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday announced public consultations, running until June 2, following last September’s announcement of “exploratory discussions” on a free trade agreement […] Read more
Fat herds, leaner profits: For China’s pig farmers, New Year feasts bring cold comfort
Beijing/Reuters – With China’s Lunar New Year festivities fast approaching, pig farmers in the world’s biggest pork market have little to cheer. As they fatten herds to meet peak demand, a slump in retail prices and a spike in feed costs are grinding up profits. A wave of imports has squeezed pork retail prices 10 […] Read more
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