What's New ? - 2021

Every egg produced in Taiwan that has gone through the washing process will be marked with information of its source starting January 2022 as the country pushes for traceability systems in agricultural products. The enhanced labeling system will see all washed, fresh eggs printed with alphabetic and digital codes that indicate information about the farm, wash factory, packaging date, and production method. For example, "O" denotes organic production, while "C" means cage eggs, according to the Council of Agriculture (COA). Given the limited capacity of egg washing facilities and manpower, the measure is first being applied to washed eggs and will be extended to unwashed ones in phases. People can access relevant information about the source of the eggs they purchase on the COA-operated poultry traceability website.

A report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that sales of medically important antibiotics for use in food-producing animals in the United States fell by 3% from 2019 to 2020, following 2 years of rising sales. Of the 6 million kg of medically important antibiotics sold for use on farms, 41% were used in cattle, 41% in swine, 2% in chicken, 12% in turkey, and 4% in other animals. The class of medically important antibiotics most frequently sold for use in livestock in 2020 were tetracyclines, which accounted for 66% of sales and Penicillins accounted for 13% of sales. An estimated 64% of penicillins were intended for use in turkeys.

Morrisons will reduce the use of soya feed at 10 of its free range egg farms as it works towards becoming the first supermarket to launch own-brand carbon neutral eggs in 2022. New Better Origin (Cambridge-based agritech business) insect ‘mini farms’ will be introduced onto the UK egg farms to feed the hens. Each insect farm operated by the business on the Morrisons project will be filled with millions of insects and will receive a weekly delivery of three tonnes of waste from the retailer’s fruit & veg site in Yorkshire.

Article 57 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on VMPs13 requests mandatory reporting of data on antimicrobial medicinal products used in animals. It states that the Agency shall cooperate with Member States and with other Union agencies to analyse data on antimicrobial sales and use and shall publish an annual report. A total of 31 European countries - 30 EU/EEA countries and Switzerland - submitted antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) sales or prescription (two countries) data to the European Medicines Agency for 2019 and 2020. Of the overall sales of antimicrobials in the 31 countries in 2020, the largest amounts, as a proportion of total mg/PCU, were accounted for by penicillins (31.1%), tetracyclines (26.7%) and sulfonamides (9.9%). Overall, in 2020 these three classes accounted for 67.7% of total sales in the 31 countries.

Germany’s next government will introduce compulsory livestock labelling and revise the distribution of EU agricultural subsidies. The agriculture and food ministry, which will go to the Greens, will remain in its current form and not be merged with the environment ministry. The deal also promises the launch of a binding animal welfare label from 2022. It will provide information on transport and slaughter and be accompanied by an education and information campaign. Coalition partners also want to support the restructuring of livestock farming to improve animal welfare and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Germany will ban the sale of Glyphosate from the end of 2023 and promote organic farming more strongly

Sales of veterinary antibiotics for use in food-producing animals, adjusted for animal population, were 30.1 mg/kg; a 0.3 mg/kg (1%) decrease since 2019 and a 32.2 mg/kg (52%) decrease since 2014. Pharmaceutical companies have reported the quantity of authorised veterinary antibiotics sold throughout the UK to the VMD since 1993; this has been a statutory requirement since 2005.Sales of Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIAs) in food-producing animals account for 0.5% of total sales and have dropped by 0.03 mg/kg since 2019 and0.5 mg/kg (79%) since 2014. In 2020 the total quantity of antibiotic active ingredient sold in the UK was 226.0 tonnes.

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) reported that the UK's livestock sector is making progress on its next set of targets for reducing antibiotic use, despite some setbacks during the pandemic. The report highlights where targets are already being achieved or sustained, and where challenges remain. It reveals that for some sectors it is still too early in the four-year targets cycle to provide accurate data, but where data is provided it indicates good first year progress, despite the challenges of the global pandemic and the UK’s exit from the EU. The summary report covers ten sectors across aquaculture, pigs, poultry and ruminants.

The Humane League, a global animal protection nonprofit, set out to investigate the levels of white striping disease (muscle disease) at chicken sold in major supermarkets across 29 states. It found moderate to severe white striping in 70% of chicken packages.

The Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa) presents its report ‘Usage of Antibiotics in Agricultural Livestock in the Netherlands in 2020'. With this report, the SDa wants to provide insight into the amounts of antibiotics used in the Dutch veal, broiler, turkey, cattle, pig and rabbit farming sectors in 2020. Over the last five years, antibiotic use in the broiler farming sector remained between 9 and 10 DDDANAT. The turkey farming sector managed to achieve a steep 38.8% (8.6 DDDANAT) decline from its 2019 level, resulting in a DDDANAT value of 13.6.

Release of the National Chicken Council Inaugural Sustainability Report incorporating the Broiler Production System Life Cycle Assessment: 2020 clearly demonstrates the advancement in performance and the consequential reduction in inputs and emissions associated with growing broilers in the U.S. Between 2010 and 2020 the U.S. chicken industry produced 21% more chicken by weight. Over the ten-year study period, broiler production increased by 9.3 percent to 9.23 billion birds, but with a 21.3 percent increase in live mass to 58.79 billion pounds. Live-weight increased by 11 percent to 6.37 pounds per bird, but feed conversion declined by 8.7 percent to 1.79.

The BPC 2021 antibiotic stewardship report shows that UK farmers raising chickens, turkeys, and ducks used 21 tonnes of antibiotics in 2020, down from 81.7 tonnes in 2012, a decline of 74.2%. Use of fluoroquinolones and critically important antibiotics declined by 97.2% a 95.5%, respectively. Antibiotic use in chickens and turkeys is below the government-approved sector targets set by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, which sets standards for food safety, animal health, and animal welfare in the British livestock industry.

On September 9th Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) sued the Wendy's company in the D.C. Superior Court claiming misrepresentation by the company that claims is alleged to derive only five percent of eggs from other than conventional cages. Wendy's promised in 2016 to go 100% cage free by 2020. FACT is a national nonprofit consumer group that promotes policies that make foods from animals safe and healthy to eat, supports humane farmers, and works to promote truth in advertising, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability.

2020 was an exceptionally challenging, yet successful year for EU agri-food trade, which reached a total value of €306 billion: €184 billion in exports and €122 billion in imports. Both values represent a slight growth of 1.4% and 0.5% respectively, compared to 2019. Looking at product categories, the poultry sector complete the overview of highest decreases, reporting trade €312 million lower (↙10%) for poultry meat.

The European Parliament voted heavily against a proposal by German Greens to remove some antibiotics from a list of treatments available for animals. The proposal was added as an amendment to the Commission’s new anti-microbials regulation, which is designed to help combat increased anti-microbial resistance. The Greens argue that antibiotics are used too readily and too widely, not only in human medicine but also in veterinary practice, which increases the likelihood of resistance, so that the drugs become less effective over time.

Defra has published its proposals for new rules about transporting animals, including poultry, which are likely to have significant implications for the industry. Now that Britain has left the EU, it's an opportunity for DEFRA to look at alternative methods to better protect animal welfare during transport. The Government will now work with the farming sector and welfare groups to develop several proposals. Currently no timescale has been published for implementing the plans.

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Canada projects moderate production growth for 2022, with chicken meat production forecast to reach 1.4 million metric tons (MMT). FAS/Canada estimates 2021 chicken meat production at 1.36 MMT. In addition to strong chicken sales at retail, the quick-service restaurant channel has shown a robust recovery and became the driver behind growth in food service activity following the significant decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Production is tightly controlled through a quota system.

FAS/Tokyo projects a one percent increase in the 2022 chicken production compared to 2021 as the industry recovers from a series of outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Moreover, continuing strong household demand along with expected post-COVID demand recovery among eat-in restaurants and tourism industry has stimulated increased broiler production. According to Livestock Statistics by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), as of February 1, 2021, Japan had 2,180 broiler operations (Table 1), down three percent from 2019. As smaller operators continue to exit the market, the number of broiler operators rearing 300,000 or more heads is on the rise through consolidation and business expansion.

Two of the industry's biggest poultry companies have agreed to pay nearly $35 million to settle a lawsuit that accused them and several other firms of conspiring to dominate the industry and fix the prices paid to farmers who raise the chickens. Perdue Farms agreed to pay $14.75 million in the settlement without admitting wrongdoing. Tyson Foods also agreed to a settlement in the case, and will pay $21 million without admitting wrongdoing.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister of State, have launched the Code of Good Practice regarding the responsible use of antimicrobials on poultry farms. This code has been developed collaboratively by farming and veterinary stakeholders of the iNAP animal health committee under the chairmanship of the Animal and Plant Health Association. This collective stakeholder action supports the 2021 action plan of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), specifically in relation to the goal of promoting and safeguarding animal health and welfare for the benefit of consumers, producers, the economy and wider society.

The European Commission (EC) passed legislation that authorizes the use of some processed animal protein (PAP) and insects in feed for poultry and pigs. Insects are emerging as a more sustainable source of protein thanks to their lower environmental impact and high nutritional value. Published in the Official Journal of the European Union on August 18, Regulation EU 2021/1372 only allows for limited applications of selected materials.

"Size Matters" is a new campaign, which is about encouraging consumers to purchase mixed weight eggs, thereby relieving laying hens in the UK from the burden of producing a daily whopper. Over 50% of eggs laid by the UK flock of 36 million hens are large. When it comes to the size of an egg, bigger is definitely not better – not for the hen. So the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) has decided to lend voice to the important issue of size. The Laid In Britain Scheme, a quality assurance scheme run by the United Kingdom Egg Producers Association (UKEP), is backing the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) “Size Matters” campaign to encourage the public and caterers to purchase mixed weight and medium eggs rather than large and extra-large.

This report highlights gaps and possibilities in the guidance of the Tripartite organizations on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals. It presents current practices in India with regard to their use in multiple food-animal sectors and identifies gaps and possibilities in policies and guidelines. It recommends conserving the use of critically important antimicrobials through a strong and more coherent global guidance as well as developing a road map and policy framework for India to conserve their use.

This year’s World Egg Day will take place on Friday 8 October and will mark the 25th anniversary of the event. The 2021 celebration will center around the brilliant versatility of the egg and its multitude of benefits to people at every stage of life.

A new £19.2 million cross-Government surveillance programme will aim to improve the detection and tracking of foodborne and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens through the agri-food system. The project brings together the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health England (PHE) and the Environment Agency to test the application of genomic technologies in the surveillance of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) microbes in all four nations of the UK.

Thousands of Israeli farmers took to the streets, using tractors and other farming equipment to block major thoroughfares in protest of proposed produce importation reforms. The farmers argue that the planned agriculture reforms, which would ease caps on importation of foreign produce, will financially devastate the Israeli agriculture industry. The farmers arrived at junctions on tractors and other heavy equipment, and threw eggs and produce on the roads in anger. The reforms aim to recognize European standards on fruits and vegetables, create more competition in the industries, and cancel egg quotas that are part of the regulation system for the local market in Israel.

Production: After an expected decline in 2021, chicken meat production is forecast to rebound by 2 percent to 14.3 million MT in 2022 as large white feather (“broiler”) producers will utilize expanded production capacity from new facilities. In the next few years, large broiler producers are expected to drive chicken meat production gains. The market share and production of yellow-feather chicken is forecast to decline due to changing consumer habits and restrictions on live bird sales. Consumption: In 2022, consumers are anticipated to bolster purchases of pre-packaged, half-cooked and fully cooked products made with broiler meat. Chicken meat consumption will be driven by growth in quick service restaurants and convenience stores across China, increased use of chicken meat by institutions, and the consumers perceptions that chicken is healthier.

The fifth OIE Annual Report on Antimicrobial Agents intended for use in animals provides details of the global use of antimicrobial agents adjusted for animal biomass for 2017, and interprets the overall findings of the fifth annual data collection on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals, providing a global and regional analysis. In 2019, the fifth round of data collection reports were submitted by 156 Members (156 out of 182; 86%). For responses on the use of antimicrobial agents as growth promoters, a total of 112 responding countries (112 out of 160; 70%) did not use any antimicrobial agents for growth promotion in animals in their countries as of 2019, regardless of the presence or absence of legislation or regulations.

70% of global antimicrobials are fed to intensively farmed livestock, accelerating the risk of widespread antimicrobial resistance. The world’s largest animal health companies are fueling the rise of superbugs and “failing to live up to responsibilities” to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a stark report has warned. The research, found that none of the largest 10 publicly listed animal health companies – which comprise roughly 40 per cent of the sector – have a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of AMR. The latest report – published by an investor network called the FAIRR Initiative examined the $47 billion animal health industry, which manufactures and sells antimicrobial treatments for the agricultural sector. It found these critical drugs are still being both misused and overused in animals.

Global meat production is projected to continue growing over the coming decade, but at a slightly slower rate than over the past 10 years. Compared to the 2018-2020 average, meat production is set to increase by 13% by 2030. The overall increase is led by poultry production, which is set to rise by 17% by 2030, compared to the base period. Poultry benefits from favourable meat-to-feed price ratios and the short production cycle enables rapid genetic improvement. According to OECD-FAO, this will help boost its popularity relative to ruminant meat production in particular. Meat consumption has been shifting towards poultry.

Beyond Meat, a leader in plant-based meat, announced the arrival of its new plant-based Chicken Tenders at upward of 400 U.S. based restaurants. The company says it’s a different product entirely from Beyond’s Chicken Strips despite bearing a similar name. That product predated the company’s wildly popular Beyond Burger patties, but were discontinued back in 2019 due to a lack of popularity compared to other offerings. Like all Beyond Meat products, Beyond Chicken Tenders are made from simple, plant-based ingredients like faba beans and peas.

USDA announced its intent to invest $500 million in American Rescue Plan funds to expand meat and poultry processing capacity so that farmers, ranchers, and consumers have more choices in the marketplace. USDA also announced more than $150 million for existing small and very small processing facilities to help them weather COVID, compete in the marketplace and get the support they need to reach more customers. USDA is also holding meatpackers accountable by revitalizing the Packers and Stockyards Act, issuing new rules on “Product of USA” labels, and developing plans to expand farmers’ access to new markets.

Eggs laid by battery hens would be phased out within 15 years under a plan to improve poultry welfare in Australia. Among the recommendations of an independent panel were to phase out battery cages between 2032 and 2036. Egg producers will have the option of transitioning to larger furnished cages, or may decide to move straight to cage-free systems, such as barn-laid and free-range eggs. An independent panel drafted the proposal after consulting state and territory governments, industry, animal welfare groups and the public. Industry figures show Australia produces around 17 million eggs each day. Of about 75% sold at supermarkets, 39% are from caged hens. Free-range (50%), barn-laid (10%) and specialty eggs (1%) make up the remainder. Of the other 25%, much is used in processed foods and catering, where the proportion of cage eggs is thought to be higher than those sold in supermarkets.

The third joint inter-agency report on integrated analysis of antimicrobial agent consumption and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from humans and food-producing animals (JIACRA), prepared by the three agencies at the request of the European Commission (EC). This report provides an integrated analysis of possible relationships between antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in humans and food-producing animals and the occurrence of AMR in bacteria from humans and food-producing animals. The findings of the joint report indicate that measures taken by many European countries to reduce antibiotic use in food-animal production are having an impact, and that further efforts to improve antibiotic use both in human and animal medicine could have beneficial impacts on antimicrobial resistance.

Mark & Spencer (M&S) has claimed a first for a major UK retailer after announcing it will move all its chicken lines over to slower-growing breeds over the next 12 months. The retailer has said that by the autumn of 2022, all the chicken it sells will be sourced from British, RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Assured farms that employ dietary practices that ensure their birds grow at a slower rate than standard broilers.

The European Commission decided to positively respond to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) “End the Cage Age”, supported by over 1 million citizens across the EU. In its reply, the Commission sets out plans for a legislative proposal by 2023 to prohibit cages for a number of farm animals. The proposal will come as part of the ongoing revision of the animal welfare legislation under the Farm to Fork Strategy. While all farm animals benefit from current legislation on the protection of animals, only laying hens, broilers, sows and calves are covered by rules on caging. In its response to the ECI, the Commission commits to table, by the end of 2023, a legislative proposal to phase out, and finally prohibit, the use of cage systems for all animals mentioned in the Initiative.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has issued a product recall alert for a batch of Salmovac 440, manufactured by CEVA Animal Health, over concerns about its efficacy. Salmovac 440 contains the live Salmonella Enteritidis strain in freeze-dried form. The VMD writes: ‘We wish to make veterinary surgeons aware that Ceva Animal Health Ltd has initiated a Class II recall to veterinary level for the product Salmovac 440.

Cuisine Solutions, Sterling, VA is initiating a voluntary recall of its JUST Egg flavored plant-based “bites” products due to undeclared allergens. A limited number of 2-pouch retail packages may contain an incorrect sealed pouch containing whole-egg and milk products. The interior plastic pouches are properly labeled to distinguish the products.

Chicken-sandwich fever means poultry is pacing U.S. food inflation in the meat case. U.S. producer prices for processed poultry jumped to an all-time high in May, climbing 2.1% in the eighth straight monthly increase, U.S. government data showed. Gains in poultry outpaced the 0.8% increase in the broader producer price index. The surge comes after several large fast-food restaurant chains recently launched fried-chicken sandwiches in a bid to match Popeyes’ 2019 viral success. Sales have also surged with consumers preparing more meals at home during the pandemic. Meanwhile, poultry producers have struggled to keep up with the growing demand, with labor shortages at meat plants and severe winter storms that killed thousands of birds constricting chicken supplies. McDonald’s Corp., KFC and Burger King have all recently introduced new chicken sandwiches.

Exports of food and drink to the EU have fallen 47% compared with Q1 2020, as a result of the on-going impacts of COVID-19 and changes in the UK’s trading relationships, according to new figures published by the Food & Drink Federation (FDF). In 2020, chicken was the third biggest export by volume to the EU from the UK, with 94.9t being sent to Europe in the first quarter. In the first quarter of 2021, this fell to 37.7t a slump of -60.3% year-on-year.

The UK has secured market access to Japan for imports of UK poultry meat – opening up new opportunities for UK farmers, producers and exporters in the world’s third largest economy. The agreement is estimated to be worth up to £13 million per year by the industry. Japan is renowned internationally for its stringent food safety and import control regime, as well as for its taste for high-quality, varied cuts of meats. The opening of this market for UK fresh and cooked poultry products demonstrates the high standards of UK poultry production methods. With consumption of poultry on the rise in Japan and its focus on reliable, attractive new products, this market is now on track to become a significant and promising new target for UK poultry meat exporters. The market opening follows a series of complex negotiations over the last four years between the UK and Japanese officials to agree specific animal health requirements.

The use of cages in farming could be phased out in the European Union by 2027, following a vote by MEPs. The vote came in response to a petition called "End the Cage Age," signed by 1.4 million EU citizens, which demands the phasing out of cages on farms. Parliament's move now cranks up the pressure on the European Commission, which is expected to officially respond to the petition on June 30. The resolution passed with 558 votes in favor, 37 against and 85 abstentions.

Atria Oyj, a leading Finnish meat and food company, has expanded the calculation of the carbon footprint of its poultry products, and a label with the product's carbon footprint will now be added to all poultry packaging. The label shows the climate impact of the product's entire production chain in carbon dioxide equivalents. The carbon footprint has been calculated and noted per product item (kg Co2e2e / product). Poultry products with the carbon footprint label will be in shops around Finland in June. Atria has set a goal of being a pioneer of sustainability in its industry.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the government’s approval of poultry labels generally and the approval of labels for certain Perdue Farms products in particular. The U.S. Department of Agriculture violated the Poultry Products Inspection Act by its “consistent and categorical failure to consider graphics when reviewing and approving poultry product labels,” ALDF alleges in a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Nevada announced it would become the 9th state in the U.S. to ban cages for hens. A newly passed bill bans the caging of hens in Nevada, and also requires eggs sold in the state to be from cage-free facilities, no matter where the eggs were produced. This legislation also requires specific enrichments for hens, like perches, dust-bathing areas, and nests, plus a minimum of one square foot (.09 square meters) per bird. The minimum space requirement goes into effect on July 1, 2022, and cage ban and enrichment requirements go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Egyptian Poultry Association (EPA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further their partnership and provide support to improve the performance of the poultry industry. The MOU aims to achieve the common goals of the two parties in the field through providing advanced and innovative technological services to the various production systems of the poultry industry and to promote action in order to achieve integrated approaches for sustainability.

Defra has launched a new Animal Welfare Action Plan. The plan, covering farm animals, pets, and wildlife, aims to firmly establish the UK as a global leader in animal welfare. The plan covers more than 40 topics under five themes – sentience and enforcement, international trade and advocacy, farm animals, companion animals and wild animals – and includes a mixture of legislative and non-legislative changes. Defra is considering a ban on enriched cages in the poultry sector, as part of a plan.

Saudi Arabia has banned imports from 11 Brazilian poultry plants (seven owned by meat giant JBS). The measure was taken without explanation or prior notice. Arab countries, which import halal products made under Muslim dietary standards, have for some time tried to reduce imports while boosting domestic meat production.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced this week that $691 million will be distributed over the next decade to the country’s 4,800 chicken, turkey and egg farmers. The support will come in two programs: one that will direct $630 million to egg and poultry farmers by funding operation improvements, and one that will fund promotional activities for turkey farmers ($36.5 million) and chicken farmers ($25 million).

Chickens will be allowed outdoors again this month after the UK government lifted its indoor-housing order, imposed to reduce the risk of outbreaks of avian influenza. Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain in Gloucestershire, Dorset, Devon, Cheshire and Kent were detected in November, leading officials to implement a prevention zone in England, Scotland and Wales.

Two disinfection firms in the Netherlands have been found liable for a 2017 food scandal that swept across Europe. Eggs were contaminated with the insecticide fipronil, which saw millions of chickens slaughtered. The owners of a company, have been jailed for one year by a court in Zwolle. Judges said the two owners of Chickfriend knowingly and deliberately used cancer-causing fipronil in their product, threatening the health of humans, animals and plants. Millions of eggs and 3.5 million chickens were destroyed when the banned chemical was found in eggs produced on hundreds of farms in 2017. The two menת denied knowing that fipronil was in the ‘miracle’ delousing agent, and blamed their Belgian supplier. But the court ruled that as the directors of a professional company, they should have been aware what the product contained.

On March 17, 2021, Utah’s legislature and Governor Spencer Cox of Utah passed a bill which will enforce changes to the Agricultural Code regarding egg-laying hens, effective January 1, 2025. The U.S. egg market is moving in the cage-free direction. More consumers have been demanding cage-free eggs, and national grocery stores and restaurant chains, from Kroger and Target to McDonald’s and Starbucks, have said they would stop selling eggs from caged hens by 2025.

Leading food companies across the EU sent a joint letter to the EU Commission and Members of the EU Parliament, calling for a phase out in the use of cages in farming, starting with enriched cages for laying hens. Companies including Aldi Nord, Nestlé, Unilever, Barilla Group, Fattoria Roberti, Ferrero, Inter IKEA Group, Jamie Oliver Group, Le Groupement Les Mousquetaires, and Mondelēz International, co-signed the letter which emphasises that the business case for phasing out enriched cages for laying hens is strong, particularly at EU level. “Companies moving away from eggs from caged hens have paved the way for changing how EU farmed animals are kept. Cage-free systems are widespread, economically viable, and provide better living conditions for hens,” noted the letter.

The Russian government is discussing a reduction in import taxes on poultry meat from Brazil (which is one of the main suppliers) as a possible stabilization measure if other measures to limit price increases do not help. Chicken and eggs are the most popular animal protein available to Russians, with domestic demand rising in the past 12 months while Russia's poultry production has been on the decline this year after some producers were hit by avian influenza outbreaks.

EU-27+UK chicken meat production in 2021 is forecast to increase by 1.4 percent from 2020. This increase follows a 1.5% decline in 2020, a direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with total or partial lockdowns in most EU-27+UK countries including hotels, restaurants, and institution closures. HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) outbreaks in late 2020 and early 2021 are not anticipated to negatively directly impact the EU chicken meat production in 2021 with the exception of Germany where HPAI mitigation includes extended strict sanitary measures in affected districts. However, the closure of some export markets such as South Africa for HPAI Member States may lead chicken meat producers to reduce the installment of new chicks grown for exports.

Merck Animal Health (MSD AH) announced the completion of its acquisition of PrognostiX Poultry Limited d/b/a Poultry Sense Ltd. from its founding shareholders. Poultry Sense Ltd. is an innovator in health and environmental monitoring solutions for the poultry industry. In March 2019, Merck Animal Health invested in Poultry Sense Ltd., to support their development. Poultry Sense Ltd., a privately held company located in Exeter, U.K., provides enhanced technology for poultry farmers to continuously track and analyze overall health performance for the life of the flock; it provides users the capability to measure, compare and record key health and environmental indicators captured by battery-powered, wireless sensors in the poultry barn, as well as to identify patterns and trends to predict health and well-being and, ultimately, prevent disease and improve performance.

In January 2021 Ukraine exported 29,120 tonnes of poultry meat and offal, which was 22% down year-over-year. At the same time, exports in monetary terms soared by almost 27% to US$45.87 million (against US$36.14 million in January 2020). Major buyers of Ukrainian poultry in the first month of 2021 were Saudi Arabia (US$16.97 million, or 46.8% of total supplies), the United Arab Emirates (US$2.35 million, or 6.5%), and Hong Kong (US$1.95 million, or 5.4%). Ukraine also reduced egg exports over the period under review to 3,680 tonnes, which was 68% down year-over-year. At the same time, egg exports more than halved in monetary terms, to US$4.18 million from US$10.48 million in January 2020.

Geneva aldermen are open to at least discussing whether residents should be allowed to raise chickens in their backyards. They voted 10-0 to direct the city planner to write a proposed ordinance. Several made it clear, however, this doesn't mean they have been convinced it is a good idea. Alderman Jeanne McGowan is behind the proposal, saying residents have asked her to pursue the idea. She said her research has shown it can be a good activity for children, and that nearby towns that permit chickens have had few complaints about them.

In 2018, then-president Donald Trump issued temporary waivers to 54 poultry plants, which allowed them to make significant increases to their slaughter line speeds. Employees in those plants are expected to process 175 birds per minute, while those at facilities that were not granted waivers process 140 birds per minute. In the final weeks of his presidency, the Trump administration considered a proposal from the Department of Agriculture, which recommended permanently allowing a 25 percent line speed increase in all U.S. poultry plants. (A similar suggestion was made during Barack Obama's time in office, but it was not implemented due to concerns about worker safety.) Now-President Biden withdrew the previous administration's proposed increase to poultry processing speeds, a move that was praised by both the United Food and Commercial Workers union and the Humane Society.

The Davis Thompson Foundation Webinar Committee will conduce a webinar on Diagnostic poultry pathology: From the necropsy room to the microscope: Part 2. 75 minutes of discussing gross and histopathologic lesions of poultry diseases by Dr Tahseen Aziz. Lesions will be described and correlated with the clinical disease. The etiology of some diseases will also be discussed. This is a must-attend webinar for those who wants to improve their skills in the diagnosis of poultry diseases.

Three Arab countries increased their poultry imports from Brazil in 2020 over 2019. One highlight was Egypt, at 58,700 tonnes, up 15% from the previous year. Yemen imported more, too, at 112,400 tonnes, up 6.1%, as well as Jordan at 56,800, up 18.9%. The figures were disclosed by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). Overall, poultry exports from Brazil were up 0.4% year on year in 2020 at 4.23 million tonnes for USD6.123 billion, down 12.5%. The figures show that poultry sales from Brazil to Asia, Africa and Europe were up in 2020. Africa imported 555,700 tonnes throughout the year, up 5.1% from 2019.To the Middle East, though, exports were down 5.7% from 2019. The volume shipped was 1.355 million tonnes.

America’s top two chicken producers have reached agreements with buyers to settle complaints over price-fixing allegations. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., owned by Brazil’s JBS SA, said it will pay $75 million to settle the class action suit. Tyson Foods Inc. said in a separate statement that it had reached an “agreement in principle” without disclosing terms. Neither company admitted wrongdoing. Both settlements require approval by a federal judge in Chicago. The investigation, which covers alleges activities that took place between 2012 and 2019, was first brought on by a lawsuit filed by grocers and consumers alleging price-fixing between suppliers of broiler chickens.

The global EggTrack report tracks the progress made by companies towards achieving their goals of abandoning cages for laying hens by 2025 (2026 for some companies in the US). The report was designed to celebrate companies' public commitments and incentivize transparency by encouraging them to communicate gradual progress towards achieving their goals, while enabling conversations between companies to ensure successful conversion to a cage-free future. The 2020 edition for the first time does not limit itself to analyzing the European and North American markets but offers a vision of the commitments to abandon the cages globally. Of the 210 companies included this year, 80 operate globally, 57 in North America and 73 in Europe.