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National Beef Association Newsletter THE INFORMATION AND OPINION IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED FOR THE USE OF NBA MEMBERS. THE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL BEEF SERVICES LIMITED. The Mart Centre, Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG Tel: 01434 601005 @natbeefassoc | [email protected] | www.nationalbeefassociation.com 2nd October 2015: Issue 38 NBA NEWS and Directors Weekly Report 2 BEEF INDUSTRY NEWS: Badger vaccination has made no difference yet to TB levels in Wales CVO 9 NBA Questions Processor Loyalty and Encourages Farmers to Shop Around 3 Northern & Western parts of the UK should be aware of liver fluke threat 10 Forget the Great British Bake Off, one Halberton Farmer is going for the Great British STEAK Off! 4 The full NADIS October Parasite Forecast can be found HERE. 11 NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected in deceased bovine 11 NBA MARKET REPORT 5 Farm CAP Payments Could Rise in 2016 as Euro / Pound Exchange Rate Forecasts Are Lifted 12 AHDB (Meat Services) and LMC market prices 8 Irish Beef exports to the US break €2m mark 13 SBA NEWS: New Appointment at QMS 9 Despite all the politics, India's share in world beef export increases 13 Reminder 9 Strong US Dollar impacting beef trade – Rabobank Advertisements 14 15 on 1
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National Beef Association Newslette · NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform ... in 2016 as Euro / Pound ... Wednesday 11th November Beef South

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Page 1: National Beef Association Newslette · NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform ... in 2016 as Euro / Pound ... Wednesday 11th November Beef South

National Beef Association Newsletter THE INFORMATION AND OPINION IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED FOR THE USE OF NBA MEMBERS.

THE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL BEEF SERVICES LIMITED. The Mart Centre, Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG Tel: 01434 601005

@natbeefassoc | [email protected] | www.nationalbeefassociation.com

2nd October 2015: Issue 38

NBA NEWS and Directors Weekly Report

2 BEEF INDUSTRY NEWS: Badger vaccination has made no difference yet to TB levels in Wales ­ CVO

9

NBA Questions Processor Loyalty and Encourages Farmers to Shop Around

3 Northern & Western parts of the UK should be aware of liver fluke threat

10

Forget the Great British Bake Off, one Halberton Farmer is going for the Great British STEAK Off!

4 The full NADIS October Parasite Forecast can be found HERE.

11

NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement ­ Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected in deceased bovine

11

NBA MARKET REPORT 5 Farm CAP Payments Could Rise in 2016 as Euro / Pound Exchange Rate Forecasts Are Lifted

12

AHDB (Meat Services) and LMC market prices

8 Irish Beef exports to the US break €2m mark

13

SBA NEWS: New Appointment at QMS

9 Despite all the politics, India's share in world beef export increases

13

Reminder 9 Strong US Dollar impacting beef trade – Rabobank Advertisements

14

15 on

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Page 2: National Beef Association Newslette · NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform ... in 2016 as Euro / Pound ... Wednesday 11th November Beef South

NEWS AND NBA DIRECTORS WEEKLY REPORT The present vast migrations of people towards Europe is undoubtedly one of the greatest humanitarian problems for many decades but it is also potentially creating serious animal disease issues with disease such as foot and mouth. With the moving populations of people we are seeing movements of livestock and food products carrying the potential for FMD introduction into Europe. The main area of risk for the EU and the UK is North Africa and the Middle East where movement of people and livestock, particularly the economic migrants and refugees does raise concern. The time taken for the journey by sea means products are unlikely to be either still infectious or eaten enroute. For the Middle East route, early warning will come from disease outbreaks being reported in Greece, Bulgaria etc. The EUFMD programme is working closely with these countries to avoid disease incursion. Disease risk remains low (constant low risk for disease incursion from any affected region).

Lumpy Skin Disease has been circulating in the Middle East for many months now, and has been exacerbated by the movement of people over the border from Syria, particularly into Turkey. However the vaccination programme in Turkey (using a sheep pox vaccine) has not been very successful so for several months there has been expectation of incursions into the EU. This risk level (not the UK, but to EU) increased when Turkey reported the disease, Greece then reported the disease, the border is open with the transit of many pastoral grazing animals. The risk of incursion to the UK remains negligible as we do not import many live cattle from Greece and other pathways (for example untreated skins and hides) while potentially important are less likely to come into contact with our cattle and therefore cause a disease outbreak.

The unexpected outbreak of Bluetongue virus BTV­8 been reported in Central France has caused concern. At present, the source of disease is still not known. France has now reported nearly 40 outbreaks in a restricted zone (150km zones put in place) almost all in cattle; many reported as a result of surveillance. Met Office Modelling suggests the risk through midge wind­assisted transport is negligible from the present locations of outbreaks. This has led to a need for all imports from France to be post import tested. For the south of England, the Met office suggest the average temperature from now on is likely not suitable for disease spread if it is introduced in the next few weeks. The NBA replied to the Defra consultation on TB and I am grateful to those members who submitted their comments, one of the key areas of consultation centred around altering the duration of the culling period. The NBA believe the length of time required should be agreed between Natural England and the local cull organisation in advance of the cull. Consideration of the number of operatives available, their availability and the area to be covered should determine the length of the period and as such each area could be different.

An intensive cull should have a proposed time limit, but flexibility should be allowed to cater for unexpected circumstances, for example prolonged protester interference etc.

Once an intensive cull has achieved its intended purpose, in the following years continued badger control is essential as the biggest risk for disease re­introduction is from the boundary of the cull area, other than coastlines, most boundaries will never be 100% badger proof. For

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this reason, future culling should be allowed throughout the entire open season so that badgers moving into the area can be culled before they establish new territories.

Defra are also keen to discuss whether minimum area size should be reduced to 100km2, we feel that the area size could be reduced as long as smaller areas can still achieve effective disease control. There may be cases where smaller areas bordering existing cull areas could be licenced, effectively extending the benefits of an existing cull area. Disease control is paramount and is the main consideration when discussing area size. We have raised the concern that small areas have proportionally larger boundaries, putting them at a greater risk of badger immigration. Therefore it is questionable whether small areas of less than 100 kmsq, not surrounded by existing cull areas or very hard boundaries could really benefit from an effective cull for disease control purposes, unless the boundary went beyond the area of disease infection and all the areas beyond the area’s boundary were already disease free.

To the NBA it would be a sensible approach to remove the 70% land access requirement from Defra’s Guidance to Natural England, and retain only a requirement that approximately 90% of land in the cull area should be accessible or within 200m of accessible land.

The discovery that a cow in Wales had died of BSE raised a flurry of calls to the NBA from journalists this week, the animal had not entered the food chain and was of no risk to public health but the spectre of BSE is still a worry to the public. In addition to the measures we have in place for fallen stock and animal feed, there is a strict control regime to protect consumers. This includes the removal of ‘specified risk material’, such as the spinal column, brain and skull from carcasses. Identification of this case demonstrates that the controls we have in place are working well, risk assessments had always assumed there would be a trickle of BSE cases in animals born after 1996. The UK has world leading control measures in place to detect and prevent any infected produce from entering the food chain, we should be taking this as an example of how our testing regime is way ahead of competitors in safety measures.

Obviously someone has confidence in the UK beef industry as this week saw the completion of the £30 million investment by ABP into its facility in Ellesmere, Shropshire. I hope the group follow up their investment in the plant by ensuring their cattle suppliers can also invest in their own operations by paying a fair price for cattle consigned.

NBA Questions Processor Loyalty and Encourages Farmers to Shop Around Experts believe cattle supplies could tighten in the coming months. Farmers are being urged to get different quotes when selling prime beef to processors this autumn. Cattle supplies are expected to tighten in the coming months and with a potential lift in demand in the run­up to the Christmas trade, Chris Mallon, National Director at the National Beef Association, said farmers should investigate in order to get the most profitable prices for stock. He said: “The problem with loyalty in this industry is it is one way. When the trade drops, farmers get no [loyalty] back.” Mr Mallon said it was important to know the prices each processor was offering and understand the deductions applied to marketing their animals. “Make sure when you speak to your processor you know the deductions,” he said. Latest figures show in the week to September 12 the GB prime cattle average was 347.9p/kg. Beef prices have improved significantly since the continued pressure at the start of this year. “Prime trade has lifted here and we would hope trade will rise over the next few weeks,” Mr Mallon added. “Figures show a shortage of cattle. Put this with steady demand and we should be looking at a fair trade.”

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Forget the Great British Bake Off, one Halberton Farmer is going for the Great British STEAK Off! Forget Bake Off there is a new contender in town… At this year's Beef South West, to be held at Westpoint Arena on Wednesday, November 11, there will be the inaugural competition to determine who produces the best steak or burger in the South West. The competition, sponsored by the National Beef Association and supported by Taste of the West and Ladies in Beef, is already creating keen interest amongst some of the best known butchers and farm shop operators in the region. The competition is open to all butchers, farm shops and farmers who sell West Country Beef. Peter Grabham of Halberton, near Tiverton, who supplies farm shops and sells beef from his farm gate, is also intending to enter. Peter is hoping the tenderness and flavour of his steaks produced from his traditional breed will attract the judges' attention. Paul Dart of Darts Farm, Topsham, near Exeter is hoping to make a good impression with the quality of steaks they offer. Competition will be fierce as Butcher of the Year 2013, Malcolm Pyne, of North Petherton, Somerset, intends to enter a flavoursome sirloin. The steaks and burgers will be cooked at Beef South West and judged by a celebrity chef and representatives from Taste of the West and Ladies in Beef to determine who produces the best steak or burger in the West Country. Entry forms may be obtained from Vicky Smith at [email protected]

2015 NBA DIARY Wednesday 7th October BVD FREE Launch Implementation Group

Thursday 8th October National Director in Midlands

Wednesday 11th November Beef South West, Westpoint Arena, Exeter

Saturday 14th November The Pedigree Calf Fair and Beef N.I. Expo, Balmoral Showgrounds, Belfast

Entries in Red are open to all NBA Members Entries in Green indicate Meetings attended by NBA representatives Entries in Blue indicate NBA Committee Meetings

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NBA MARKET REPORT (written on Friday at 4pm) The demand for prime cattle continues to keep prices moving the right way as we see small week on week improvements. Although we are not seeing great jumps in the trade the gentle week by week price increases are more sustainable and should continue as the year progresses. We are definitely entering a period when slaughter age cattle in the UK will be short on the ground and with a steady demand trade should remain positive.

The average prime cattle price for the week ending 26 September increased by a little more than a penny to 350.7p/kg, taking it back above the 350p mark for the first time since the end of July. Steer and heifer prices continued moving upwards to 352.4p/kg and 352.9p/kg, rises of 1p and 2p respectively. Meanwhile, carcases meeting target R4L specification secured similar price rises. These rises came despite an increase in estimated slaughterings, with steer throughputs reaching their highest level of the year so far, at 17,300 head, while heifer slaughterings were the highest since May.

Young bull prices have failed to keep pace with their steer and heifer counterparts, as the average price has fluctuated in the region of 330 to 336p/kg since the middle of August, without any clear direction. In the latest week, the average price fell over 5p to 331.6p/kg, reversing a similar rise in the previous week. In July, when steer and heifer prices last exceeded 350p/kg, young bull prices were in excess of 340p/kg. Then, the differential between steer and heifer prices and young bull prices was around 13p/kg. This compares with the most recent week where this differential stood at approximately 21p/kg.

Despite the number of cows on the market rising, cull cow prices edged up a little over a penny on the previous week to 214.5p/kg. This came despite slaughter estimates reaching their highest level since February, the fact that prices are still rising indicates that demand for cow beef remains robust.

The euro exchange rate continues to be a major concern for the trade, but a recent report from AHDB has highlighted that up to 2008, there appeared to be a fairly strong relationship between the exchange rate and prime cattle prices. Since then, however, the link seems to have largely broken down, with supply factors now appearing to be the dominant driver of prices. The fact that exchange rates are less influential on the cattle market than for sheep is perhaps no great surprise. The UK is both a major exporter and importer of lamb, reflecting the seasonal nature of that industry. This means that it is exposed to both the EU market, priced in euros, and the global market, where the NZ dollar is the most influential currency on the UK market. For beef, in contrast, the UK exports less than 20 per cent of production. Although imports are higher, with around a third of beef consumed in the UK being imported, Ireland is the dominant supplier. With a similar industry structure affected by the same weather and market conditions, Irish supply trends tend to mirror those in the UK. Therefore, although the exchange rate obviously affects the gap between British and Irish prices, they tend to move in similar directions.

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The increased retailer preference for British beef since horsegate has helped to limit the impact of cheaper Irish beef on UK prices. However, it seems certain that some of the downward pressure on prices at times over the last year can be attributed to the lower Irish price and, hence, to the weak euro. For this reason, the relationship between prime cattle prices and exchange rates hasn’t broken completely. AHDB go on to show that GB deadweight cow prices over the last two years have been broadly static, once seasonal movements are taken into account, although they did strengthen more than usual around the turn of the year. This means that, as with prime cattle prices, the cow market has largely been able to resist any downward pressure from the exchange rate.EU cow prices have been strong this year as demand for manufacturing beef has been robust. As a result, EU prices have held up even in sterling terms, at least until the last couple of months when the crisis in the dairy industry has led to an increase in cow culling. Therefore, although GB cow prices have been at a premium to EU ones, the gap is not unusually high. The relatively new competitor for the EU beef market Poland has seen exports continue to surge ahead in the first half of 2015 amid robust market opportunities, helped by competitive prices, in particular on other EU markets. In Poland the finishing of young bulls has mushroomed with surplus dairy calves, previously exported, now being finished in Poland by dairy producers and specialist finishing units. Following on from a significant increase in 2014, young bull beef production is up 14 per cent in the first seven months of the year. Rearing calf exports fell by one third to 120,000 head in 2014, whereas five years ago they were almost 500,000 head, such has been the growth of finishing in Poland. The crisis in the Polish milk sector is also resulting in some switch to young bull finishing by milk producers. This will have contributed to the further fall in live calf exports in the first half of 2015. This would suggest that in the short term, further year­on­year growth in young bull beef production will continue. The Polish domestic market for beef is very small and so the increase in supply of male beef, and to a lesser extent cow beef, meant that beef and veal exports are up 17 per cent in the six months of the year. There were large increases to all of its top three markets of Italy, Germany and Netherlands, which together accounted for over half of all Polish shipments. Trade to most other destinations, with the exception of France and Portugal was also notably higher. There was a particularly large increase of over 80 per cent in shipments to the United Kingdom. However, the UK share only accounted for four per cent of Polish exports, one point up on that in the first half of last year. There has also been increased foreign investment in Polish processing facilities including by Irish­owned ABP. Polish beef has been able to obtain a presence at the bottom end of the market at a time when consumer spending has been under so much pressure. This especially applies in Italy and Germany. At the same time French exporters have been facing increasing competition from Polish beef on its Mediterranean markets. Looking ahead, the outlook for young bull finishing looks positive. As a result of the latest CAP reforms, Poland has introduced a coupled payment of €70 her head on all males less than less than two­years­of­age, although subject to a limit of 30 per holding, something no UK producer receives.

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The average R4L steer price in GB has increased to 362.2p/kg a rise of 0.8p/kg, Scotland is at 374.6p/kg a rise of 1.5p/kg, the South are averaging at 350.3p/kg a change of +1.1p/kg, the North averaged 364.4p/kg a rise of 2.9p, the Midlands have an average of 351p/kg. Northern Ireland steers are at 327.3p/kg up 4.1 pence on the week and the ROI is back 2.2p/kg in sterling terms at 282.5p/kg. The average R4L heifer price in GB was 361.1p/kg a change of +1.6p/kg. The R4L heifer price in Scotland price has risen 0.7p/kg and averaged 373.5p /kg, Midlands is steady and averaged 353.6p/kg, the North is up 3.6p/kg to average 359.7p/kg with Southern England heifers up 2.7p/kg at 352.0p/kg. Northern Ireland heifers are steady at 327.2 and ROI heifers are back 2.5p/kg in sterling terms to average 290.6p/kg.

297 cows were exported from NI to ROI for direct slaughter last week while 222 cows were imported from ROI for direct slaughter in NI plants. The difference in price between the ROI and NI has resulted in a total of 528 prime cattle been imported from ROI for direct slaughter in NI plants. Meanwhile exports from NI to GB last week consisted of 236 prime cattle and 71 cows. This compares to 190 prime cattle and 48 cows exported from NI for direct slaughter in GB the previous week. For the coming week in the South of England, we are seeing cattle being quoted from 353p/kg. While in the North, base prices quoted for next week are in the region of 365p/kg. The Scottish price remains above the rest of GB, Scotland is seeing cattle being quoted from a base of 373p/kg. In Northern Ireland processor prices are weaker for the start of next week, prices quoted are around 330p/kg based on U3 for the coming week.

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AHDB (Meat Services) and LMC market prices: Week Ending 3/10/2015 Last Week’s GB R4L steer average was 362.2p/kg . The overall cow average was 214.5p/kg Auction Averages Week Ending 30/09/2015

Price p/kg lw p/kg change on wk

STEERS 185.6 +2.7

HEIFERS 200.5 +2.5

YOUNG BULLS 175.3 ­0.3

COWS 97.1 ­2.3

DeadWeight Cattle Prices (p/kg) Week ending 24/09/2015 GB SOUTHERN CENTRAL NORTH SCOTLAND N.

IRELAND ROI

R4L Steer

362.2 350.3 351.0 364.4 374.6 327.3 282.5

p/kg change on wk

+0.8 +1.1 ­2.8 +2.6 +1.5 +4.1 ­2.2

R4L Heifer

361.1 352.0 353.6 359.7 373.5 327.2 290.6

p/kg change on wk

+1.6 +2.7 0 +3.6 +0.7 +0.1 ­2.5

R3 Bull 343.6 343.4 342.1 336.9 365.3 323.6 282.2

p/kg change on wk

­1.0 +4.4 ­1.1 +3.2 +1.0 +1.9 ­1.5

O+3 Cow

250.0 242.9 252.0 249.3 252.5 242.8 246.8

p/kg change on wk

­4.4 ­6.3 ­1.3 ­5.4 ­3.6 ­0.6 ­1.2

All GB data in the above tables is reproduced from tables created by AHDB/LAA/IAAS – For more detailed information please visit www.laa.co.uk or www.eblex.org.uk. * The above tables are unique because they are the only ones in existence that are published on a cross­UK basis that carry information on all UK regions plus the Republic of Ireland. The information, which is delivered free to NBA members by email, can only otherwise be obtained through AHD/LAA/IAAS (see above) and the Livestock and Meat Commission’s (LMC)Bulletin for Northern Ireland. The tables should be a useful source of information to committed beef finishers across the UK.

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SBA NEWS New Appointment at QMS Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has appointed Douglas Bell as its new head of industry development. Mr Bell, who takes over the reins from Johnny Mackey, is currently Head of the Agricultural Policy Unit of SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College. A BSc Agriculture graduate of Edinburgh University, Mr Bell has 30 years’ experience of delivering high level management advice and training through routes ranging from consultancy and project design to facilitation and a hands­on approach. Mr Bell, who will start his new role with QMS at the end of October, is also involved in running the family farm near Carnwath in Lanarkshire. Uel Morton, QMS Chief Executive, said: “Doug brings a wealth of experience, as well as core skills, to the role and we look forward to him joining our staff team in the coming weeks. “QMS’s industry development activities are an important area of our workload and we are very encouraged by the strong interest from farmers in grassroots activities aimed at improving the profitability, sustainability and confidence of the Scottish red meat industry.” Reminder The Deadline for claim submission is: Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme – midnight on 31 December 2015. Applications can be made online at https://www.ruralpayments.org The Scottish beef sector accounted for 22 per cent of Scottish agricultural output over the last 10 years, with beef production being the largest agricultural sector in Scotland. The sector has 11,400 employees on beef cattle holdings, and meat from beef suckler herds is highly valued due to its high marbling factor.

BEEF INDUSTRY NEWS Badger vaccination has made no difference yet to TB levels in Wales ­ CVO Welsh Chief Veterinary Officer Christianne Glossop said four years of badger vaccination across an area of west Wales has yet to show any benefit in terms of reducing disease levels in cattle. The latest Welsh TB figures, published in the Welsh Government’s new TB dashboard, showed a slight upward trend in incidence over the past year. Dr Glossop said it was too early to tell whether this represented a long­term shift. This followed a steady decline in bTB levels in Wales since early 2012. Dr Glossop attributed this to the introduction of annual testing across Wales in 2010, which had initially resulted in an increase in reactors before the graph turned downwards in 2012.

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But she acknowledged the introduction of vaccination across the 288sq.km Intensive Action Area (IAA) in west Wales in 2012 had not yet shown any beneficial effects, although she stressed this was not unexpected. More than 5,000 doses of vaccine have now been administered to badgers inside the IAA, primarily located in north Pembrokeshire. The five­year project cost £2.8 million to administer over its first three years. “We are not seeing any improvement in the short­term. I am not surprised about that. Modelling suggested it is only after year five you start to see a relaxation. “We didn’t expect to see any improvement in the short­term, if at all I should add, because nobody has gone in at that level of (disease) intensity before. “If anybody tries to say Wales is vaccinating and it has made a difference you cannot say that. There is no evidence to support that. “ Dr Glossop said the latest Welsh TB figures should be taken in the context of the wider cattle industry. “The number of TB breakdowns only account for just over 5 per cent of the cattle farms,” she said. “I think the first headline to take out off this is that around 95 per cent of herds in Wales are free of TB. “Over the last five years we have made significant inroads into the TB. Over the last four months that reduction seems to have plateaued and, you could say it has gone up slightly. “It is too early to tell whether that plateauing will continue but these figures show the benefits of annual testing.” Northern & Western parts of the UK should be aware of liver fluke threat Merial is advising farmers in the North and West of the UK to be alert for outbreaks of liver fluke disease in sheep and cattle, as the latest NADIS Parasite Forecast reports a high risk period this autumn. Sheep and cattle in Scotland will be at a particularly high risk of fluke infection. The risk in the West of the UK will also be high, but Central and Eastern regions of England will be at lower risk, though this will vary according to local conditions. Sioned Timothy, Veterinary Advisor at Merial Animal Health says: “Cattle will be at risk of fluke infection this autumn though do not generally suffer from the effects of acute fluke, says Ms. Timothy. “We suggest that farmers consider the use of alternative flukicides which target the later stages of fluke – these are more likely to cause clinical and subclinical disease in cattle. Using alternative flukicides to triclabendazole when appropriate will help to reduce selection for resistance.” Treatments that are effective at removing late immature fluke (six to eight weeks after infection) include nitroxynil or Closantel. Clorsulon is effective against adult fluke from 10 weeks after infection. Advice on product choice and optimal timing of treatments should be sought from vet or SQP (Suitable Qualified Person).

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“As these products leave younger fluke untreated, cattle should be checked for the presence of fluke eight to twelve weeks after treatment, depending on the product used, and dosed again if required,” says Ms. Timothy. She continues: “Cattle that are clear of adult fluke infections during the housing period can make the most of winter feed. Then, when they are turned­out in the spring they won’t immediately re­contaminate the pasture with fluke eggs. It’s a win­win situation.” Young cattle, particularly those in their first or second grazing season, will to be at risk of scouring (type 1 ostertagiosis) caused by large numbers of gutworm (Ostertagia ostertagi) picked up from pasture over the summer, particularly if worm control measures where not implemented earlier in the season to minimise pasture larvae contamination. Early signs of disease include profuse diarrhea which can lead to rapid weight loss if not treated promptly. A housing treatment with a suitable wormer should be considered as young cattle will have picked up gutworm burdens during the grazing season, even if cases of clinical disease have not been seen. Untreated, worms will affect productivity over the housing period, and, heavy burdens may result in outbreaks of type 2 ostertagiosis later in the winter, causing severe scouring and sometimes death. Products containing ivermectin or eprinomectin are effective against all stages of gutworm and against external parasites. Combination products are also available, containing ivermectin and clorsulon, which are effective against gutworm, the adult stages of fluke and external parasites. Advice on the most appropriate product to use should be discussed with a vet or SQP. Quarantine is a vital element of a robust parasite control programme. Ms. Timothy stresses that purchased breeding stock present a high risk and could bring a range of worms and fluke onto farm including resistant strains. She says: “All farms must maintain their biosecurity to protect their health status, and prevent the introduction of disease threats including parasites along with new animals. Rigorous implementation of a quarantine protocol, developed in conjunction with a vet, will minimise the risk of new parasites and resistant strains being brought onto the farm.” The full NADIS October Parasite Forecast can be found HERE. Written Statement ­ Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected in deceased bovine from Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food The Welsh Government and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have confirmed a case of classical BSE in a single deceased bovine on a farm in Wales. The case was identified as a result of the strict control measures we have in place. It did not enter the human food chain and the Food Standards Agency and Public Health Wales have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case. There have been a number of sporadic cases of BSE identified across the UK in recent years. The last case recorded in Wales was in 2013. My officials are working closely with DEFRA and the APHA to investigate the circumstances of this case. All animals over four years of age that die on a farm are routinely tested for the disease under our comprehensive surveillance system. Whilst the disease is not directly transmitted from

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animal to animal, its cohorts, including offspring, have been traced and isolated, and will be destroyed in line with EU requirements. In addition to the measures we have in place for fallen stock and animal feed, there is a strict control regime to protect consumers. This includes the removal of ‘specified risk material’ such as the spinal column, brain and skull from carcasses. Identification of this case demonstrates that the controls we have in place are working well. Beef across the UK continues to be produced in compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health rules. Farm CAP Payments Could Rise in 2016 as Euro / Pound Exchange Rate Forecasts Are Lifted A weak euro to pound sterling exchange rate has seen the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme of European subsidies to UK farmers fall to the tune of 6% year­on­year. A weaker euro to pound sterling exchange rate (EURGBP) will mean thousands of British farmers will see the amount due to them in European agricultural subsidies decline. Data at hand confirms that in Scotland alone some 15,400 farmers will see a decline in subsidies coming from the European Union as they have opted to receive payments in pounds. Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) UK farmers will now receive subsidies under the Basic Payments Scheme which replaces the Single Farm Payments scheme. The exchange rate for converting euros into sterling is determined by the European Central Bank (ECB). An exchange rate of €1 = £0.73129 has been set by the ECB for the upcoming payment window of December 2015 to June 2016, a fall of almost six per cent compared to the previous year. In 2014 the conversion rate was set at €1 = £0.77730, this down from 0.83605 in 2013. Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead says the exchange rate is a notable problem for Scotland’s farmers: “The euro / sterling exchange rate has been on a downward path over the past two years and, whilst there has been a recent modest recovery in that last few months, many farmers and crofters will have been anticipating a reduction. The good news for farmers though is that a number of analysts are suggesting that the pound’s ascent against the euro could be about to come to an end. Researchers at Sweden’s S.E.B think that the GBP is already overvalued, particularly against the euro. S.E.B analyst Richard Falkenhall says, “this is likely to be the last leg for the strong GBP as the currency has reached levels at which historically it has been viewed as expensive” A similar picture is held at Lloyds Bank where they see gains in the near­term but a sharp decline in the longer­term: “We retain our more positive view on the euro over the medium term. The euro area is, we believe, more likely than the UK to post a positive growth surprise in 2016.” Lloyds target an exchange rate of 1.46 by year end and 1.24 by end 2016. For those farmers receiving payments in euro to pound sterling terms (EURGBP) this equates to 0.6849 by end­2015 and 0.8064 by the end of 2016.

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Irish Beef exports to the US break €2m mark A second Kepak factory has obtained an export licence from the US department of agriculture, but clearance for manufacturing beef will take more time, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said. According to Minister Coveney: “Feedback from exporters eligible to export beef to the US indicates that exports to date had reached approximately 330t by early September.” He was replying to a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil’s agriculture spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív TD this week. The volume exported is much higher than the 30t reported earlier by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for the first half of this year. The Department of Agriculture estimates beef exports to the US to be worth €2.1m to date. “This is a very encouraging start to this trade, particularly given that the trade to date is confined to the market for intact cuts as we currently await approval to export beef intended for grinding,” Minister Coveney commented after travelling to the US to promote Irish beef and dairy products two weeks ago. “My understanding is that this momentum in exports will continue and grow right through to the end of 2015,” Minister Coveney said. However, he appeared to backtrack on his comment made in late August that Ireland would obtain approval to export manufacturing beef to the US “in the next two months”. “It would appear that the USDA will not make any decision on this issue until the audit currently being carried out on US­approved plants in Ireland by the Food Safety Inspection Service has been completed and the report finalised,” Minister Coveney warned without specifying a time frame. Despite all the politics, India's share in world beef export increases In the times of #BeefBan, comes a shocking revelation ­ India has not only retained its top position followed by Brazil and Australia as the biggest exporter of the meat, according to the US Department of Agriculture, India has exported 2.4 million tonnes of beef in the financial year 2014­15 which accounts for a whopping 23.3 percent of world's beef production In 2014, India made profits of around $4.8 million from the beef industry and the total profits surpassed that from exports of Basmati rice for the first time. Interestingly, domestic consumption of beef has gone down by 44 per cent since 2000. This includes cows and all other bovine animals like buffaloes and bullocks as well. Officially all bovine animal meat is considered beef. But irrespective of this revelation, politics around beef continues. Days after the Dadri lynching case involving a murder over beef occurred, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav dared the central government led by Narendra Modi to ban export of beef. Union commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman was quick to rebut, claiming that the union government doesn't have any jurisdiction over this matter. Meat consumption trends in India

A report in The Hindu newspaper claims that buffalo meat exports from India have been growing continuously at an average of 14 per cent since the year 2011.

Also, according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Outlook database, even though the consumption of meat in India has gone up since 2000, the consumption of beef has reduced by more than 44 per cent.

On the other hand, the consumption of chicken has gone up by 31 per cent.

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Strong US Dollar impacting beef trade – Rabobank Global economic conditions, such as the appreciation of the US dollar and the depreciation of the Yuan, are having an impact on beef trade, Rabobank said. A strong US Dollar has led to a reduction in US exports and support for US imports, while a weakening Chinese economy and devaluation of the Yuan are curbing beef prices in China, it said. It also said that the devaluation of the Brazilian Real is expected to support Brazilian exports in the coming months. Angus Gidley­Baird, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank, said that with little change expected in major beef­trading economies in the coming quarter, other than a possibility of the US FOMC raising interest rates, a strong US currency is expected to continue to affect global beef trade. The beef quarterly report found that New Zealand and Australia beef exports to the US are set to reach their quota limits in the fourth quarter (Q4). New Zealand and Australia exports to the US are reaching quota limits, which – combined with the availability of supply in the US – will result in some short­term softening in the Australian and New Zealand markets, Rabobank said. Rabobank said that there has been little progress in trade developments in the quarter. Australia is still awaiting parliamentary processes to enact the China FTA, Brazil is still progressing towards a trade protocol with the US, and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TTP) remains in negotiation, it said. Russia has also extended its ban on agricultural products from the EU, the US, Canada, Norway and Australia by another year.

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Page 16: National Beef Association Newslette · NBA DIARY 4 Written Statement Isolated case of Classical Bovine spongiform ... in 2016 as Euro / Pound ... Wednesday 11th November Beef South

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