This weeks international farming news has seen many developments. From resignations too ‘serious concerns’ over the risks of African swine fever entering the UK. More bird flu cases have been confirmed in US diary cows and the first Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements have gone live.
Chief Executive of BEIC Gary Ford resigns
In news from the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), Gary Ford the CX has resigned and will be leaving in October. In the interim period Mark Williams, the Chairman will fulfil the role until a replacement can be found.
Serious concerns about African swine fever gaining access to the UK in the next few months
The Livestock Chain Advisory Group (LCAG) have written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) about their ‘serious concerns’ over the current state of border control checks on imported meat. Their concerns stem from more than 100 tonnes of confiscated meat by the Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) and Border Force UK since September 2022. The LCAG says they suspect this is only the tip of the iceberg. Also of concern is the DPHA reporting an increase in imports which display a health identification for goods that have come from countries with African swine fever.
Government announce the First Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements are now live for 2024
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner has announced that the first Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements for 2024 are now live. Mr Zeichner went on to say “This Government recognises that food security is national security.” The Incentive is designed to restore stability for farmers by getting paid to manage their land in a sustainable way, for the environment and to support food production.
More cases of avian influenza detected in US dairy cattle
This week, three more cases of avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed in dairy cattle in the US. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed that these cases were from Colorado, South Dakota, and Texas, bringing the total to 181 in 13 states.
Bluetongue is still spreading rapidly in the Dutch sheep, but could it be slowing down?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) have said that bluetongue in sheep has risen again, but the number of cases has slowed down. So far the virus has been confirmed in 1,772 locations. However, North Holland, South Holland, and Zeeland have so far only had a few recorded cases.