Global Beef Trade and Animal Disease Concerns: Latest Developments
A deadlock between China and the US continues over resuming beef trade four months after China pledged to lift its ban, while concerns over animal diseases such as BSE and bluetongue disease disrupt livestock farming in several countries, including Canada, Japan, and Brazil.
Key Takeaways:
- The US and China remain in a deadlock over resuming beef trade, with the US Department of Agriculture Under Secretary J.B. Penn stating that China has yet to meet conditions set for the resumption of trade.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has launched an investigation into the enforcement of feed restrictions after a 50-month-old dairy cow was diagnosed with BSE, the seventh case in Canada.
- Japan plans to resume serving US beef soon at dozens of its branches nationwide, while the US Department of Agriculture still doesn't know what impact the circumstances surrounding Canada's seventh mad-cow case will have on US cattle and beef imports.
- Average ham prices in August reached their highest level in 10 years, spurred by consistent export growth, especially to Mexico, and diminished inventories.
- Swiss authorities have announced that they will block US beef exports from the Swiss market starting next year as part of their harmonization with EU veterinary norms.
Statistics:
- 10 years: the longest period over which ham prices have reached such a high level.
- 50 months: the age of the dairy cow diagnosed with BSE in Canada.
- 7: the number of mad-cow cases in Canada.
- 4 months: the duration since China pledged to lift its beef ban.
- 10%: the growth rate of US beef exports to Mexico in August.
- 20%: the decrease in ham inventories in August.
Sources:
- Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex
- Dow Jones
- The Nihon Keizai Shimbun
- Rabobank Australia Ltd.
- Lester Aldrich, Dow Jones Newswires