The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed news that Moy Park is to have its first meeting with O’Kane Poultry growers, following the acquisition of the company.

McDonald’s UK has appointed its first female CEO in Jill McDonald, replacing Steve Easterbrook who has become the company’s executive vice-president and global chief brand officer.

Meat processor Dunbia has criticised union Unite for making “inaccurate” allegations over the company’s toilet break policy at its plant in Sawley, Lancashire.

An advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates will be visiting Birmingham tomorrow (Friday) to discuss halal meat export opportunities.

Pork bosses are hoping celebrity pork fan Christine Hamilton will prove a winner when it comes to converting the nation to pig meat consumption.

Pig farming leaders have expressed concern over the decision by two abattoirs to close down washing facilities for delivery lorries visiting the sites.

Somerset firm The Original Ham Company is set to hold an online auction of its machinery following the closure of its Wincanton operation.

Scotch lamb bosses are hoping to boost sales with the launch of a £250,000 campaign. Quality Meat Scotland will be recruiting “Scotch Lamb Champions” to bang the drum.

Pie producer Holland’s Pies is hoping to cash in on the popularity of top soap Coronation Street with the launch of a new limited edition range.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has accused the the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of heavy-handed behaviour in its reliance on the use of criminal law to deal with issues which were, at worst, civil law matters.

Meat from the offspring of two cloned bulls on a Scots farm can be legally sold into the UK food chain according to the European Commission.

Tonight's Coast programme on BBC TV will explore, among other themes, Britain's longstanding pork and bacon trade with Denmark.

European competition chiefs have signed off on a deal that will see meat giant Vion expand its operations on the European continent.

Poultry producer Gressingham Foods is set to appear for the first time at this year’s Intermeat exhibition in Düsseldorf.

Food Standards Agency responses to the change in invoice collecting have been branded deliberately misleading by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers.

Low prices are threatening the long term survival of UK beef production, farmers have warned. Farming union bosses from across the UK are now calling for an urgent upswing in the beef price.

TV presenter and author Tristram Stuart has been confirmed as one of the speakers at the Eblex, Bpex and FABRA Fifth Quarter conference next month.

Meat 'grown in vats' could be the future for answering an increase in demand worldwide, according to a leading researcher in livestock technology.

The meat industry is calling for clarity on cloning, with some expressing concern over the Food Standards Agency's (FSA's) handling of the recent debate.

An abattoir in Brechin is being closed down, affecting 11 employees in the process, local media is reporting.

Essex slaughterhouse A&G Barber has been forced to close as a result of an undercover investigation by campaigning group Animal Aid.

Processing firm Vion is cutting jobs at two major plants and facing strike action at another site as the squeeze in the processing sector continues.

A plant-specific approach is needed for every abattoir to address individual issues on animal welfare, a leading veterinary body has claimed.

A court case involving three slaughtermen accused of cruelty to animals in Devon has been adjourned to October.

New research has shown it is possible to determine accurately the geographical origin of pork from a retail pack.

Rising fish consumption could be making inroads into the meat market, industry watchers have claimed.

Pig farmers are calling for pig prices to remain firm, or risk the industry sliding back into the red. Industry leaders said farmers will be losing money on every pig unless the DAPP is maintained at current levels.

German processor TönniesFleisch is taking a pop at cracking the UK snack market with the launch of an innovative meat product.

The hunt for the UK’s star sausage will once more get underway during this year’s British Sausage Week. Sausage producers, butchers, farm shops and caterers are all in with a chance of taking the title.

Food safety bosses have released details of a third case of cloned meat being sold into the UK food chain.

Members of the Parliament are being urged to go veggie every Monday with the launch of a campaign by the UK’s only Green MP.

Bernard Matthews MD Jeff Halliwell is to leave his post on Friday (13 August) following a 14-month tenure in the position.

A new quality scheme and brand is hoping to add momentum to sales of meat from Wales. The Anglesey Grazing Animal Partnership (AGAP) launched its quality assurance scheme at the island’s county show today (Weds) which will be used to market the region’s meat on ethical grounds.

A leading duck producer has invested in training to help boost welfare standards throughout its business.

A strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the Welsh red meat indsutry is on course to hit its targets, bosses have announced.

Consumers are being offered the chance to holiday on a farm as part of a special promotion by Sainsbury’s to boost sales of Red Tractor-assured lamb.

Former Meat Hygiene Service boss Steve McGrath is to take on a new organic role with the Soil Association (SA).

Seasoned Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley has waded into the debate surrounding meat consumption and cancer, claiming the rise in cases is down to eating processed meat.

An E.coli outbreak in the US has prompted the recall of almost half a million kilos of minced beef by one Californian-based processor.

The Co-operative has launched a new range of lamb products as part of an initiative to help promote rural enterprise and protect the environment.

Moves by Bpex to open the Chinese market to British pig meat are to take on a new importance, according to latest forecasts.

Speciality poultry company Gressingham Foods will be looking to turn consumers onto goose this Christmas with the launch of a new range on the market.

Irish Food Processors has announced the purchase of North Yorkshire-based Dalepak Frozen Foods from Northern Foods.

Vion is creating 250 new jobs in Scotland as part of a multi-million pound investment programme at its plants at Coupar Angus and Cambuslang.

Residents and businesses living near a meat rendering plant in Yorkshire are coming to the end of their patience over transport issues, according to one protestor.

The proposed Six Hills abattoir in Leicestershire is to get its long-awaited financial backing from the Rural Development Programme for England (RPDE), to create a slaughter-house near Melton Mowbray.

The world's biggest meat company is further increasing its global dominance by buying out a Belgian beef supplier, creating a foothold in Western Europe.

Consumers should not be concerned about the safety of products from cloned animals, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has stated, as a second clone case is confirmed.

CCTV should be installed in all slaughterhouses to ensure animal welfare, according to a leading halal supplier.

A convicted drugs cartel leader will spend a further two years in prison after being found guilty of running a huge meat fraud operation.

The consumer will ultimately decide whether there is a future for cloned meat and dairy in the food supply chain, according to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

Suppliers are to receive an adjudicator to resolve disputes with supermarkets.

Foyle Meats is saving 62 jobs despite initial fears that 85 positions would be lost from the closure of its lamb processing facility in Londonderry.

Processed and red meat may lead to the development of bladder cancer according to researchers.

A shortage of silage and poor harvests are likely to severely impact upon the cost of animal feed in the latter half of 2010.

Cheshire-based Rectory Foods has opened a facitlity in Lithuania to handle sourcing, distribution and transport of poultry products from the Baltic area.

European Halal Development Agency chairman Mohammad Nazir will be speaking at Campden BRI's major meat industry seminar in October.

The meat and poultry industry is being encouraged to enrol engineers at the UK’s first CO₂ training academy.

A leading New Zealand lamb supplier has announced it is to close its UK frozen meat processing operations, with the loss of 64 jobs.

A newspaper advert by animal rights activists Animal Aid has been banned by watchdog Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), despite two out of the four complaints being upheld.

A Cumbria-based abattoir company has been fined a total of more than £24,000 for a series of breaches of environmental regulations.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) will offer a Research Training Scholarship this autumn.

A Northern Ireland poultry company has agreed a settlement that will see workers receiving more than £200,000 compensation in a dispute over the withdrawal of overtime payments.

Three-quarters of people who buy a whole chicken will wash it before cooking it, increasing the risk of food poisoning, says consumer magazine Which?

Danish Crown is creating 300 jobs in its homeland, despite cutting 580 jobs across its Danish pork processing operation in April.

Retailers are fighting back after local government leaders accused them of using misleading descriptions and inaccurate labelling when it came to the sale of low-fat beef mince.

Retailer pressure is likely to be called upon in the bid to push CCTV into the slaughtering process, according to the boss of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Tim Smith.

News of the reformation of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been given a cautious welcome by some industry members.

Pig producers are threatening to hit the campaign trail over fears that processors and retailers are looking to turn their back on British gammon in favour of cheaper imports this Christmas.

Meat bosses have hit out at vegetarian campaigner Sir Paul McCartney for 'recycling' outdated information.

The government is to break up the responsibilities of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), ending speculation which has engulfed the agency in recent weeks.

Andrew Ballantyne has joined Norfolk processing group Bernard Matthews as its agricultural director.

Beef and veal output could continue to decline, following a 2% average fall in major producing countries in 2009, Eblex is warning.

Food standards bosses have been branded “draconian” and “heavy handed” after seeking to slash payments terms for the meat sector from 30 days to just 10.

A record year for exports and increased returns for farmers point to a positive outlook for the Welsh meat sector, according to the chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

Waitrose and Sainsbury’s have come out on top as the most animal welfare-friendly supermarkets in an awards ceremony run by Compassion in World Farming.

Retailers and the poultry industry have teamed up to publish a plan detailing how they will substantially reduce the problem of Campylobacter bacteria in poultry meat.

The Scottish Pig industry and Quality Meat Scotland have developed a health declaration form in order to avoid thousands of pounds of losses through disease in the national pig herd.

Poultry processor Moy Park is pledging its support for improved resource efficiency and reduced carbon impact by signing up to the Courtauld Commitment.

Increasing the use of ‘fifth quarter’ products will be the theme of a new conference to be set up by Eblex, Bpex and the Food Chain and Biomass Renewables Association.

A major UK meat production plant, based in Suffolk, has been completely destroyed by fire.

The Department of Health has denied reports that it is to scrap the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency are to merge as part of cutbacks in the Defra budget.

A West Midlands abattoir that specialises in halal meat has held an open day for all-comers, to show how its use of new monitoring technology is raising standards.

Foyle Food Group is to close its Foyle Meats facility, with the expected loss of 85 employees.

Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) has temporarily withdrawn a planning application to expand its abattoir at Sturminster Newton in Dorset.

A private members Bill that claims to "fix the food chain" has been given a cautious welcome by meat industry leaders.

Reaching the 11% target set by Eblex of reducing greenhouse gas emissions makes financial sense as much as an environmental one, Eblex R&D head Duncan Puller has claimed.

A website protesting against ABP’s plans to knock down its Ellesmere abattoir and build a new slaughterhouse and lairage facility has appeared on the internet, at the same time as lobbying by local residents and organisations is being ramped up.

A university professor is warning that there are greater dangers for the elderly when cutting down on protein in their diets.

Amazon, the online retailer best known for selling CDs and books, has moved into the world of food and is now offering meat products to consumers.

A member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Muslim Organisations Working Group is calling on other representatives to boycott its next meeting.

A source of government funding that has been instrumental in financing recent abattoir works projects will close under the coalition government.

Beef and lamb producers looking to export were given an insight into how to exploit available opportunities abroad at the recently held Eblex Export Conference.

Beef and lamb bosses are hoping for success with the relaunch of a website aimed at becoming an essential tool for industry.

Organic producers will have to include a new EU logo on all pre-packaged organic food products which came into force yesterday (1 July).

British poultry needs to avoid focusing on niche premium markets or run the risk of exporting mainstream production to countries such as Thailand, a leading producer has warned.

Meat & Wool New Zealand has announced it has changed its name to Beef + Lamb New Zealand. The move, which takes effect today, reflects a shift in focus for the organisation.

Highland Game, Scotland’s leading venison specialist, has announced the purchase of the UK’s largest venison and game processor business Rick Bestwick.

Brazilian poultry bosses are calling for European trade barriers to be lifted or the country may begin to target other markets instead.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed Andrew Rhodes to take over the top job for the reorganised former Meat Hygiene Service (MHS).

Budgens was celebrating strong success following the launch of its new own-brand sausage range.

Animal activists are claiming they have secured the support of the Food Standards Agency in their campaign to have CCTV installed in all UK abattoirs.

Food processor Moy Park managers are celebrating by picking up two awards from the 2010 Craigavon Business Awards for processing excellence and supporting the local economy.

East Anglia meat supplier C&K Group will open doors to its multi-species abattoir on 2 August 2010 as part of a £5m+ investment project.

A YouGov survey has found that 27% of consumers pay infrequent visits to the frozen food area of major retailers.

The Scottish red meat sector is set to benefit from a further £150,000 worth of efficiency projects, Quality Meat Scotland has announced.

UK ingredients manufacturer Witwood Food Products has been snapped up by the US-based firm Newly Weds Foods for an undisclosed sum.

The Co-operative supermarket is rolling out its higher-welfare Elmwood grade into its flavoured chicken range.

A new area for processing equipment manufacturers has been created at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show in September.

The 25% average reduction in government department funds announced by George Osborne in Tuesday's Emergency Budget are likely to force the FSA to seek full cost recovery of meat inspections by next year.

Asda is hoping to recruit younger farmers into producing premium quality Wagyu beef cattle with the launch of a new scheme.

Dunbia has successfully implemented a new water re-use system at its site in Sawley, Lancashire, as part of its strategy to reduce carbon production and water use.

Intensive farming has slowed down the rate of climate change in the last 50 years, a US study has claimed.

Meat from slaughter without stunning will now be labelled as such following a vote in the European Parliament.

Poultry processing will be the most successful sector in 2010 according to a leading financial services provider.

Food products escaped the feared inclusion into VAT in Chancellor George Osborne's Emergency Budget this week, and will do so for the period of the current Parliament.

Poultry delegates from far afield as Kenya, Israel, Finland and Turkey, descended in Paris on 16-17 June to take part in packaging firm Sealed Air Cryovac’s Packforum.

A former managing director of the Grampian Country Food Group poultry business has set up a new business bringing ‘innovative technology’ to the poulty food chain.

Bernard Matthews’ full year statement has revealed group turnover fell last year while operating profits rose in the same period.

Trials at a Scottish meat processing plant are underway set to play a crucial role in a trailblazing meat quality trial.

The managing director of a prominent Lancashire-based meat pie-making company has been suspended from his position.

Compulsory country-of-origin food labelling could become mandatory for all meat and poultry products sold in the European Union (EU) after it was accepted by the European Parliament.

Lord Rooker has criticised the public's abhorence of GM technology, and called it a result of 'anti-science'.

Meat from the Gloucester Old Spot pig variety has been given EU protected status, joining other UK products such as Melton Mowbray pies and Cornish clotted cream, as well as Parma ham and Champagne.

A report released this week by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts rises in wheat and grain prices of between 15% and 40%.

MEPs have voted to reject proposals to install front-of-pack labelling incorporating traffic-light colours.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) marketing manager Margaret Stewart as been awarded an MBE for services to the Scottish red meat industry.

Feltham and Heston MP Alan Keen is calling for less meat to be sourced from rainforest-damaging producers.

Girls living on a meat-rich diet may start puberty earlier in their lives, a study has found.

Key changes which now affect whether overseas butchers and meat processors can work in the UK have been implemented.

Meat supplier Naved Syed is calling on other processors to follow his lead in installing CCTV in abattoir premises, receiving the backing of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Beef processor ABP is looking to knock down its Ellesmere abattoir and build new slaughterhouse and lairage facilities over the existing site.

A UN report calling for a substantial diet change away from meat has been described as "negative" by industry leaders, who said it "should be kept in perspective".

President of the Food and Drink Federation Ross Warburton has called for UK food and drink manufacturers to do more to deal with climate change.

Beef supplies could be under threat if prices continue to fall, farmers have warned. The National Farmers' Union said the the drop in price was knocking producer confidence and undermining the long-term sustainability of UK production.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is aiming to lift the administrative burdens on the meat industry with the launch of a new guideline.

A hot new smartphone application is aiming to help sales of beef and lamb barbecue cuts sizzle this summer, according to Eblex.

UK and Dutch meat giant Vion has suffered a high-profile casualty with the news its pork boss, Bill Thurston, is to move on. Thurston, who joined the business over three years ago as managing director of the pork business unit, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

Beef and sheep producers are hoping for a repeat of England's last World Cup performance – but not on the pitch.

The Food Standards Agency has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal to uphold a prison term imposed on Yakub Moosa Yusuf, who ran a company called Direct Halal Meat and Poultry in Dewsbury.

A substantial worldwide movement away from meat would help the environment, a UN report has claimed.

Chicken processor 2 Sisters Food Group has been fined over £49,000 for 18 offences relating to environmental breaches.

A meat supplier is backing the growing trend for shredded meats across retail and foodservice with the launch of a new range of products.

This year, the pig industry's most prestigious accolade, the David Black Award, celebrates its Golden Jubilee and the hunt is now on for somebody to receive the honour.

Odour sensors are to be placed in drains leading from a Huddersfield meat company plant in a bid to find the cause of a stink problem.

A Welsh meat processor is to benefit from a £1.2m government cash boost towards new machinery in a bid to boost plant efficiency.

A National Assembly for Wales report has called for a review of how legislation governing abattoirs is implemented in Wales.

Modernisation of the meat inspection regulations could take years, according to a leading expert.

The meat industry is looking forward to greater interest and recognition of food from the new UK government, according to the new president of the British Meat Processors' Association (BMPA).

Consumer culture needs to change and meat consumption must be reduced, according to government advisor Professor Tim Lang.

Meat Trades Journal would like to say thank you to its readers for ensuring it remains the highest* ABC audited circulated title for news and information on the UK meat market.

The new Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelman has played down questions over a conflict of interest with a family food consultancy.

Bpex is hoping to put an end to what it claims is ambiguous and potentially misleading labelling of pork and pork products with the launch of a new website, www.porkprovenance.co.uk, this June.

Asda has reached an agreement to buy Netto UK from Danish retail chain Dansk Supermarked, with aims to double the workforce in each store.

Food processor Moy Park is acquiring Northern Irish rival O’Kane Poultry in a move designed to accelerate market growth.

A central halal hub supplying the demand for meat in the UK is now in full trading, with further expansion plans to supply the European mainland.

The best pie in Britain has been revealed as a Waitrose pork, chicken and ham pie, created by Walkers Charnwood Bakery.

MEPs have blocked the authorisation of “meat glue” thrombin as a food additive declaring that reconstituted meat products carry an “unacceptably high risk of misleading consumers”.

Two new additions have been announced for the boards of Bpex and Eblex. Warwickshire farmer Adam Quinney has been appointed to Eblex, while Essex-based pork processor Marcus Cheale will be taking up a role with the board of Bpex.

The Vion Food Group has announced a rise in overall net profit from €54m (£46m) to €62m (£53.5m) in 2009.

A team of Asda staff and suppliers have set a new world record for canoeing the length of Loch Ness.

Foodservice supplier Brakes Group has bought out catering butcher Browns Food Service to increase its customer base and strengthen specialist meat availability.

As many as four in 10 consumers worry about animal welfare as their number one food concern, due to campaigns by celebrity chefs, research from Mintel has revealed.

Supermarket lamb curry ready meals are the annual equivalent of 140m car miles, or 5,500 car trips around the world, according to a new study.

Animal Health has warned that it has received several reports of heavily pregnant livestock being transported in 2009 and 2010.

Job losses at Bernard Matthews plants in East Anglia are now unlikely to be as severe as anticipated, with the company claiming it has managed to safeguard 140 jobs.

A sausage a day could increase your risk of heart disease, according to the latest study by scientists into processed meats.

Michael Katz, who has died in his 90s, is credited as the driving force that built Scotts of Bletchley into a household name in the meat industry in the decades after the Second World War. The company made previously expensive ham and meat products affordable for the masses.

European meat importers will be looking to boost supplies from the Mercosur countries of South America if they strike a planned trade deal with the European Union (EU).

Norfolk abattoir J H Lambert has suspended two staff and another from slaughter duties after secret filming by animal activists allegedly revealed incidents of animal mistreatment.

The nominations are in and we now have four top names in the running to take home the title of Meat Industry Personality of the Year at this summer's SuperMeat & Fish Awards.

Sainsbury's pork buyer Siobhan Barnes was celebrating last week after taking home the title of Supermarket Meat Buyer of the Year at the Pig & Poultry Marketing Awards 2010.

The UK Parliament is to have its first-ever Green MP, voted in by a manifesto that includes a pledge to set a minimum target for organic food conversion.

The UK supply chain for beef is being put at crisis point by retailer deals on mince.

The meat industry feels under siege when it comes to the environment, with nearly three-quarters rejecting the idea that production poses a credible threat, and 75% believing the industry is being made into a scapegoat.

Conservative Caroline Spelman has become the new Secretary of State for Defra as a new government has taken shape, involving a Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition.

The UK pig industry is in the black for the first time in more than 10 years, according to Bpex.

Moy Park production director Eric Reid has retired from his position at the company, following 45 years of service.

The Scottish SPCA’s welfare agreement with Quality Meat Scotland scooped the Success through Working in Partnerships award at Scotland’s Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2010.

A proposed doubling of the pig levy, which could increase the spend on marketing, is being considered, Bpex has said.

Collagen manufacturer Devro has performed ahead of expectations following a strong sale showing at the end of 2009, the company has stated.

Two Leicestershire farmers have teamed up to start work on new multi-species abattoir to serve the Melton Mowbray area.

The meat industry has hit out at the BBC for airing an interview on the day of the general election with Sir Paul McCartney over his Meat Free Monday campaign.

Bernard Matthews Holdings has announced that it has acquired Lincolnshire-based Lincs Turkeys which specialises in free-range and fresh turkey products.

A number of leading chefs have been give food for thought on master butchery, after catering butcher Aubrey Allen opened its doors to its Coventry meat plant recently.

The meat industry has hit out at online grocery operator Ocado after it publicly backed the ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign, launched by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.

Farming leaders have defended the high prices of lamb, describing it as a "high-value product delivering excellent value for money for the consumer". However, retailers and processors are calling for them to be "realistic".

Turkey bosses have announced the 14th annual British Turkey Awards are now open for entries. With 10 categories available, the event, organised by the British Turkey Federation (BTF), will give manufacturers a chance to showcase the way they are responding to ever-changing retailer demands and consumer needs.

Reform of the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) continues to pose one of the biggest threats to the Scottish meat processing industry, leaders have warned.

Eblex managed to raise a total of £2,500 as part of its ‘Donate a Dinner’ and Crisis Christmas campaign last year.

Lamb prices may be riding high, but Welsh farmers are failing to cover their costs. Figures released by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) claimed that only the top third of Welsh sheep farms made a profit in 2008/09.

The British Poultry Council (BPC) and inspection body SAI Global are set to launch a new Duck Assurance Scheme at the Pig & Poultry Fair in May.

Tesco has opened up its second halal meat counter in the UK, at a ceremony held at its Hodge Hill store in Birmingham.

Change is needed with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over meat hygiene systems, following a breakdown in trust, according to Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) president Alan Craig, who accused the organisation of having an “obesity” problem when it came to costs.

A leading halal meat processor and member of the Eblex Halal Steering Group has accused the three main parties of neglecting Muslim issues surrounding the halal food market.

Kerry Foods is to spend £5m on its Mattessons Fridge Raiders brand in a move to meet demand for spicier food, says the company.

Birmingham-based processing company 2 Sisters is to buy the Dutch-based poultry business Storteboom Group.

Sales of hot canned meat in supermarkets has steadily increased over the past two years, a study by Mintel has revealed.

Assured Food Standards (AFS) has announced it will mark the 10th anniversary of the Red Tractor food assurance scheme with a new Red Tractor Week. Running from 14–20 June, Red Tractor Week will celebrate a decade of food and farming under the Red Tractor logo.

David Candish, a production operative at Grant Foods in Galston, Ayrshire, has become the first person in Scotland to complete a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship.

A North of England haulage firm has been fined £1,000 after animal by-products, including blood, were found to have spilled on to a Suffolk road.

Eating over-cooked meat increases the chances of bladder cancer, according to new research.

The often claimed need to double food production by 2050 has been branded a "big fat lie" by organic bosses. The Soil Association has accused government scientists, UN leaders, Monsanto and the National Farmers' Union of misleading consumers with the claims for the need to increase food production.

UK government targets of a 70% reduction in food carbon emissions by 2050 are unlikely to be met unless the meat industry, a major contributor to greenhouse gas outputs, can radically alter the way it does business, according to Mark Driscoll, head of the WWF’s One Planet Food Programme.

Sion Roberts, chief executive of the English Food and Farming Partnerships, has warned that supplier and processor relations need to improve to prevent severe loss of business.

Brazilian meat processor Marfrig and its European brands are to become sponsors of the football World Cup 2010 in South Africa this summer.

The Liberal Democrats have said they will merge current quangos and create an Animal Protection Commission to investigate animal welfare abuses in their manifesto launch today (Wednesday).

Welsh lamb from Randall Parker Foods’ abattoir near Llanidloes will be used in Singapore's FHA Culinary Challenge by the team from Wales.

Animal activists have accused ABP of "serious welfare failings" and breaches of law, following secret filming at one of the beef giant's Devon-based abattoirs.

Northern Ireland processing firm Tenderlean Meats has been bought out of administration, saving nearly 100 jobs at its Derrylin factory.

An accounts manager who stole £40,000 from the Norwich-based meat company he worked for has been jailed for 18 months.

Vion is to cut 181 jobs at its Welsh Country Food plant on Anglesey following a 90 day consultation. 18 of the 181 staff will be relocated to other roles within the business, parent company Vion said.

UK shoppers are voting with their trolleys and plumping for higher-welfare chicken, with sales climbing by 22%, according to latest figures from Compassion in World Farming.

Danish Crown has announced it will cut 580 jobs across its Danish pork processing operation.

JF Longman and Staffordshire Meat Packers (SMP), both Stoke-based, are to join forces in a deal that will create a company with a £15m turnover.

Sales of organic products are on the rise again after a difficult period, according to the Soil Association.

The National Farmers’ Union has demanded that large UK multiples sell more meat from within their own shores, after an Eblex report showed major falls in the amount on-shelf.

The industry will be glad to hear that there are no plans to force abattoirs to use glass in their construction, as an article on our website stated on April 1.

A man has been jailed at Swansea Crown Court for 15 months for producing smokies – sheep carcases with skin on.

The Scottish red meat industry is this week embarking on a world-first project, aimed at developing breakthrough technology to determine the eating quality of meat.

Campden BRI is set to hold a seminar in May instructing the food industry on the latest changes and guidelines on country of origin labelling.

The government announced today that UK slaughterhouses will have to switch to 80% glass in their outside wall construction from 2013.

Israeli container specialist Dolav unveiled its Dolav Ace plastic pallets for the first time at Foodex 2010 which boast to be the most hygienic on the market.

More than £130,000 was raised for the meat industry’s charity, the BDCI by festival chairman Bernard Hoggarth (pictured, left) last year.

Heart of England Fine Foods, the promotional body for the Midlands, has announced the finalist for its Diamond Awards.

Foss, the Warrington-based food analytics company, launched its MeatScan fat analysis machine for small-volume production at the Foodex show.

Freedom Food has seen a wide range of livestock rearers, foodservice businesses and butchers at its Food & Drink Expo stand this year, according to its consumer marketing manager.

Sausages and bacon may be as addictive as heroin or tobacco a new study has claimed, suggesting that fatty snacks can trigger the same "pleasure centres" in the brain that drive people to drug addiction.

A sausage producer is hoping to tap into the ethnic market with the launch of a new brand of unique sausages - Mr Singh's Bangras.

This year’s Langford Food Industry Conference is aiming to tackle the two main issues facing the UK meat industry - nutrition and climate change.

Ambitious proposals to ban the sale of European Union (EU) reared meat in all 27 member states where livestock has suffered from poor welfare have been tabled by the European Parliament’s agriculture committee.

Quality Meat Scotland is to increase spending in support of its products to £7.3m for 2010/11, an increase of 24%.

Poultry supplier Rectory Foods has announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Acura Foods, which will extend Rectory’s fresh and frozen pork and beef range.

Rubber compound firm Ergolastec has launched a series of work mats aimed at butchers shops and food processors.

UK giant Samworth Brothers was named Processor of the Year last night after beating off some strong competition in the first ever Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

Manual workers in the processing industry, along with other industries, are denying themselves a chance to gain new skills, according to new research.

Processing bosses have hit out at the board of Quality Meat Scotland, claiming representation of its sector is "completely lacking" and calling for an urgent resolution to the problem.

The Meat Training Council (MTC) has launched a fresh new look to illustrate the organisation's evolution over the last few years and to allow it to stand out from the crowd.

Supermarkets and meat processors have promised to investigate claims of staff degredation and exploitation, following a new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Norfolk turkey manufacturer Bernard Matthews has signed up high-profile chef Marco Pierre White to lead a range of activity in the coming year.

Awards body Food & Drink Qualifications (FDQ) has launched a new HACCP awareness award, designed to help food handlers new to the industry.

Eblex has announced it has launched a new-look website for the retail and meat processing industry.

Suffolk-based Gressingham Foods is to launch two new poussin products for the retail market as the first in a series of own-brand launches.

A cooked meat supplier to Asda has hit back at allegations it discriminated against British workers following newspaper allegations at the weekend.

Plans for a new regional abattoir in the Midlands have been turned down by planners.

An Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) inquiry into the treatment of migrant and agency workers in the meat and poultry processing sector has found alleged “widespread mistreatment” across the industry.

Skills council Improve is to launch a major new qualification in food manufacturing. Employees from Swizzels Matlow and Kensey Foods will be the first to take the new ‘Excellence’ qualification in April, both companies having been involved in the development of the programme.

Systems Integration are inviting food processing businesses to ‘recalibrate’ their profitability with the launch of ‘integreater’ at Foodex this month (March).

Minister for Public Health Gillian Merron has formally announced that the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) will be dissolved and brought into a new Food Standards Agency (FSA) Operations Group.

Pork Farms, a meat processor based in Shaftesbury, is in consultation with its staff over laying off 90 of its 155 workers.

Levy rates for the livestock sector are set to remain the same for the forthcoming year, according to the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board.

Job roles including factory managers, production staff and marketing are the main skill gaps for the food sector, according to a survey from a top recruiter.

Mosques in Birmingham have called for consumers and processors to be made more of aware of machine slaughtering used in halal meat production.

Vegans are to be given the same protection against discrimination as religious groups, according to reports.

Animal rights activists in Switzerland have failed in a bid to have animals represented by lawyers in a nationwide referendum over the weekend.

Food Standards Agency (FSA) chief executive Tim Smith backed calls that CCTV should be installed in UK abattoirs, in a recent interview with a national newspaper.

A Welsh pie producer is set to honour some “British greats” with a special pie award, during British Pie Week (1-7 March).

Cancer bosses have dismissed a report by the US meat industry, which it claimed cast doubt on links between meat and cancer, as “more spin than science”.

The important role that Welsh Lamb plays in the Welsh economy has been highlighted by new figures, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) has revealed.

Multi-industry union Unite and supermarket giant Asda are launching a joint initiative to end “discrimination and unfair treatment” at Asda’s meat and poultry suppliers.

Consumer publication Which? has given the Food Standards Agency (FSA) an overall positive review to celebrate the Agency’s 10th anniversary.

Climate change continues to dominate the headlines and will be the main topic of conversation at the annual Outlook Conference in London in April.

Highland Game is hoping for healthy sales with the news another supermarket has signed up to offer its new diet-friendly sausage.

Increased demand for alternative steak cuts is paying off for wholesalers, processors and catering butchers with benefits including improved beef carcase balance and increasing prices of under-used primals, Eblex has claimed.

Cranswick has played down newspaper reports it is set to storm the UK snack market with the creation of a meat crisp.

The former director of a chicken processing factory has been jailed for four years for helping to traffic illegal immigrants into the country – many of whom were working in his factory.

Scottish meat bosses are calling on the UK's Chancellor to take action over the UK's meat inspection and BSE regulatory regime, or run the risk of job losses and reduced tax revenues.

Cranswick, the leading producer of pigmeat, bacon, sausages and sandwiches delighted the stock market with a robust trading statement for the three-month period to end December.

Vion Haverhill will lose approximately 180 jobs with proposals to re-organise operations of its cooked meats business with the “aim of improving operational efficiencies”.

Animal charity the RSPCA has called for all abattoirs to have CCTV installed in them to improve animal welfare.

NFU president Peter Kendall has been re-elected for a third term after securing more than 75% of the vote from NFU Council members.

A total of 15 prizes were presented at the annual Institute of Meat and Meat Training Council Awards at Butchers’ Hall, London. Prizewinners came from widely differing meat industry backgrounds and ages.

Businesses are being invited to tender for new government contracts for the collection, slaughter, salvage and disposal of cattle infected by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England and Wales.

A final labelling code of practice for pork has been launched today (Tuesday) by Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn at the NFU conference in Birmingham.

The Scottish government has put forward £250,000 to educate children about the food chain, the benefits of eating seasonal produce and career opportunities within the food industry.

The Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) plans at least 38,000sq ft of office space to house its facilities, costing up to £10m.

As many as 3,000 jobs would be created in a new halal-themed business park in south Wales.

Scottish producers are hoping to appeal to health conscious consumers with the launch a new healthier bacon.
The bacon, which features 25% less salt and 20% less fat, was developed as part of a £40,000 Quality Meat Scotland project, match funding by Scottish Enterprise.

Morrisons is claiming to be the first major UK supermarket chain to gain Red Tractor status across its entire fresh meat range, a move it claims reaffirms its commitment to British farming.

Current issues in the food industry will be put under the spotlight during a free half-day event at Cranfield University. Sessions will be delivered by expert academics from Cranfield Health and Cranfield School of Management.

Growing consumer demand for quality local sausage has led one Cumbrian producer to invest £250,000 in expanding its production. Plumgarths of Kendal's new production facility was officially opened this week by IGD chief executive, Joanne Denney-Finch OBE.

Employees of Cranberry Foods have become the first recipients of Food and Drink Qualification’s new award in poultry meat inspection, the company has announced.

Provision Trade Federation (PTF) out-going chairman Tony Stanton has warned suppliers to be wary over demands to cut animal products for the environment.

Former NFU director general Richard Macdonald CBE has been snapped up by poultry giant Moy Park in a non-executive director role.

Macdonald takes up the position this month, and will join the Moy Park Board working closely with the executive team and CEO, Nigel Dunlop.

At least 25% of meat in the UK has arrived from overseas farms that do not have to meet national standards of animal welfare, it has been revealed.

Hall Mark Meat Hygiene has been awarded a Gloucestershire Beacon in recognition of best practice and innovation.

A former NHS boss is to take over the top job at the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), it was announced this week.
Tom Taylor will be stepping into the AHDB’s chief executive position later this year, replacing Kevin Roberts who leaves to head up the National Farmers Union in April.

Muslim scholars have rejected calls for mechanical slaughtering in the UK halal meat industry, a survey commissioned by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) has revealed.

The NFU has requested that EU rules on animal welfare in the UK be held off until other countries in Europe have put their own regulations in place.

Retailers need to pay a fair price to their suppliers in order to main choice and standards in their business, Waitrose managing director Mark Price has said.

Large areas of a meat processing outlet in Hanging Wood Way, Cleckheaton have burnt down after being hit by fire.

The US will continue to ban imports of haggis, despite numerous reports suggesting it was now legal to export the minced offal product across the Atlantic.

A film examining the major players in the US agriculture industry opened in the UK on Friday.

The British Pie Awards will return in 2010 to seek out the best products from across the UK. Butchers, bakers and manufacturers will all be able to compete to take home the title of “Supreme Champion” at Melton Mowbray on 19 May.

Scotch meat bosses are hoping to create a revolution on the football terraces up and down the country with the launch of a new healthy eating pie.

Pork is "better than Viagra", according to South American politicians and UK pig farmers are now hoping to spread the word this Valentine's Day.

Pork rose in a declining market for both lamb and beef last year, up 3% compared to lamb, which was down 9%. Beef sales were cut by 3%. As a result, pork grew its share of the meat market by 10% in December on the previous year.

Irish meat exports into the UK faced a very tough time last year, according to Aidan Cotter, chief executive, Bord Bía (Irish Food Board). The sterling/euro differential reduced their value by 30% over 2007. Sterling declined against the euro by 18% in 2008 and a further 12% in 2009.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has been accused of being on an "anti-meat crusade" after it reportedly refused to acknowledge claims that its high-profile report linking meat and cancer was found to have "significant" flaws. However, the WCRF has hit back, branding the accusations as "outrageous" and "ludicrous", and claiming any flaws were too minor to have affected overall conclusions.

Sheep meat production is likely to fall to 294,000t by the end of 2010, a reduction of 4% on 305,000t on the previous year.

Actor Richard E Grant has revealed that working on 1980s cult film Withnail and I put him off eating meat.

A series of rustling episodes in Northumberland may have led to stolen meat entering the domestic market.

More than 70 new exhibitors are set to make their debut at Foodex 2010, the UK’s leading meat exhibition. The new arrivals will be joining a strong list of over 200 firms, such as Handtmann, Reiser, Interfood Technology, Marel and Ishida Europe, which the organiser, William Reed Business Media, claimed demonstrated the continuing strength of the Foodex brand.

Bernard Matthews could cut a further 160 staff at its Great Witchingham plant in Norfolk due to unprofitability in the whole bird market.

The West Cornwall Pasty Co is to expand its business and add another 15 shops and kiosks to its operation in 2010.

Pet food firm Butcher’s Pet Care is to embark on a major factory build that will keep its operations and 200 staff in Crick, Northamptonshire.

The meat industry’s leading charity, the Butchers’ & Drovers’ Charitable Institution (BDCI) is aiming for a modern new look with the launch of a new logo.

Food supplier Harrisons Poultry has announced it is continuing to trade despite going into administration in January.

A new toolkit to help food and drink manufacturers improve their environmental performance has been launched by the Environment Agency.

A fire has caused minor disruption at Vion's Haverhill plant. Early reports have suggested extensive smoke damage following the discovery of a fire in the cooked ham sector of the facility.

A Romanian-born cow aged over 30 months was not tested for BSE before being slaughtered in the UK.

A future Conservative government would split up the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as part of its plan to improve public health strategies.

Welsh meat processors are being offered training opportunities in a bid to maintain standards within the sector.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is offering support to small and medium sized abattoirs and processors to help them implement quality management procedures.

Meat bodies have welcomed a move by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to seek Ministerial approval to change the law on Skin-on Sheep meat production.

A group of young farmers have been given expert training by processors as part of a special scheme to support the Welsh lamb industry.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales believes experienced people could take over some of the official vet’s duties in meat processing plants.

A unique study is under way to look at changing trends in the consumption of halal meat in England.
The research, which is the first of its kind, has been commissioned by the newly-formed Halal Steering Group, established by Eblex with key industry figures to guide work in the halal sector and act as a forum for issues related to halal meat.

The number of food and drink sector deals involving UK firms fell by 30% to just 70 last year, comapred with 132 in 2007.

An independent inquiry into farmer support in Scotland suggests using area-based payments to address falling livestock numbers.

The interim report, produced by chairman Brian Pack, says future support should consist of four strands: direct payments, a top-up fund, rural development programme funding and Less Favoured Area support.

Good news for meat lovers, US doctors are claiming the Atkins diet is better at cutting blood pressure than weight-loss pills.

Haggis sales are soaring as the Scottish nation prepares for its annual celebration of Burns’ Night tonight. Haggis sales for 2009 surged by 19% to £8.8m on the previous year, with Scottish leaders proclaiming the increase as a vote of confidence in Scottish produce.

The Meat Training Council (MTC) has donated equipment for a new state-of-the-art regional food academy at Harper Adams University.

Ditching a diet of meat for imitations such as tofu and Quorn could be more damaging to the environment, a report from a charity has found.

Demand for Welsh Lamb remains buoyant despite the recession, leading to increased sales overseas and improved prices for producers at home, claimed bosses this week.
“It’s been an encouraging year for farmers and prices have held up well,” said Rees Roberts, chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.

A leading poultry boss has made a move into fish, with the purchase of iconic fish and chip chain Harry Ramsdens.

Meat assurance schemes have been rebranded under the Red Tractor logo to create clearer labelling for shoppers.

This year’s Bpex and Eblex Outlook Conference will focus on climate change and how it affects consumer perception and the working of the supply chain, as well as forecasts for 2010 and beyond.

Aberdeen Scotch Meat has been put into liquidation. The company, based in Inverurie, supplies meat to the catering trade, but has been badly hit by the recession.

McDonald’s beef and pork patty manufacturer Esca Food Solutions has been awarded the British Safety Council’s (BSC) Sword of Honour, the most prestigious international health and safety accolade.

A chicken processing company has been fined for illegal operation of its West Yorkshire slaughterhouse.

Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd admitted one offence at Bradford Magistrates’ Court of operating its slaughterhouse at Hammerton Street in Bradford without an environmental permit.

British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) bosses were back on the recruitment trail as news broke that a second member of staff will be crossing over to industry.

The meat industry is likely to face more government intervention unless it gets its house in order, was the warning from Food Standards Agency (FSA) chief executive Tim Smith.

Country of origin labelling is not a "top priority" for consumers, according to new research by the Food Standards Agency.
A new study by the FSA, pulled together from five separate pieces of research, claimed that while there was an awareness of country of origin labelling it was not a main concern for consumers when shopping.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has raided the culinary history books to find warming winter dishes for late-season Scotch Lamb.

Slaughtermen caught abusing animals in secret filming at the Tom Lang slaughterhouse in Devon have had their licences revoked, the MHS has announced.

Environmentalists will once again call for a reduction in meat consumption, with the publication of a new report next week.

Tim Bastable has joined Holme Farmed Venison as its procurement manager, with responsibility for overseeing the procurement process, including sourcing stock – both as finished animals for processing and as calves for growing.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) is looking to reward advances in humane slaughter techniques.

The government has announced it is to begin consulting on the creation of a body to oversee supermarkets’ relationships with suppliers.

Kevin Brennan, consumer minister with the department for business, innovation and skills, has accepted the Competition Commission's recommendation for an ombudsman to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, and will launch a consultation on the issue next month.

Scottish agri-business ANM Group has announced it is to close its Highland Country Foods processing unit in Forres, leading to a number of job losses.

Almost half the workforce at Welsh Country Foods’ Gaerwen plant in Anglesey look set to lose their jobs following a massive restructure.

Owner VION blamed shoppers for choosing cheaper meats over lamb and said projections of processing volumes did not point to a return to previous levels of activity in the short to medium term. It plans to transfer retail packing operations from Gaerwen to the VION site at Winsford.

A recent Eblex promotion has been hailed its most successful ever, attracting more than 35,000 consumer entries.

A co-founder of a leading turkey brand has passed away aged 80, her family has announced.

Pork Farms is looking to cut 70 jobs at its plant in Nottingham as a result of increased automation. The Nottingham-based pork pie producing company has just undertaken an £11m investment, installing new infrastructure and equipment, which has led to the need to cut the workforce.

Bernard Matthews has revealed plans to extend its plant at Halesworth in Suffolk. The company has applied to local Waveney District Council for an extension that would extend production and storage areas.

Pork industry body Bpex has launched its annual survey to gauge the ‘state of the nation’ in pigs.

Falling livestock numbers threaten to derail the Scottish meat industry and cause lasting damage.

The stark warning comes from Alan Craig, president of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW), who said unless production was rebuilt, Scotland’s international reputation as a source of quality meat would be seriously diminished.

Two new degree courses aim to address a skills shortage in the food and farming sector.

Food and drink manufacturers are disappointed at the outcome of the Copenhagen climate conference, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Scottish food companies are being encouraged to recycle their waste and help power the region.

With landfill tax set to rise by £8 per tonne each year until at least 2013, Scottish Water Horizons - the commercial arm of Scottish Water - is keen to hear from businesses that have solid and liquid waste that could be turned into electricity.

An abattoir in South Wales has relaunched after a refurbishment which should help increase production and promote locally-sourced beef, lamb and pork.

Food and drink companies are being asked for their views on new qualifications designed to boost skills and knowledge in the sector.

Environmental campaigners have hit out at the Government’s Food 2030 strategy for failing to address the problem of “environmentally-destructive factory farming”.

The government is to set out its first major food strategy since the Second World War, amid a storm of media reports which claim it will be urging people to go vegetarian.
Defra minister Hilary Benn is to launch the strategy, entitled Food 2030, at the Oxford Farming Conference this morning. However, the Daily Mail has already claimed the report will urge people to stop eating red meat – a claim denied by Defra, which said the report is urging people to eat a healthy and sustainable diet.

Welsh Lamb will be on more dinner plates in Luxembourg after it was featured in a prime time television programme.

Dunbia has teamed up with St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon to help students pass their exams.

The meat processor’s new product development (NPD) team has tasked four ‘A level’ home economics students with investigating the meat buying habits of consumers as well as developing two new products from their research findings.

The meat industry has been paying its respects after prominent halal campaigner David Taylor MP, 63, passed away over the Christmas holidays, following a heart attack on Boxing Day.

High-quality halal meat will be on the menu for Olympic athletes after Games officials approved The European Halal Development Agency’s Standard for all halal products.

The Meat Training Council (MTC) has kitted out 2 Sisters Food Group’s new state-of-the-art learning centre to help staff achieve key qualifications.

Elan Valley Mutton has scooped a gold award at this year’s Welsh True Taste Food and Drink Awards.

Animal Aid has withdrawn claims that a farm next to an abbatoir where it filmed alleged chicken cruelty is Soil Association certified.

Scotland’s biggest meat processing business J.W. Galloway has seen a £4.1m rise in pre-tax profits to £5.9m, on turnover up £34.6m to £154m in the 53 weeks to 1 March.

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) is urging farmers and hauliers in England and Wales to ensure they meet the new Food Chain Information (FCI) regulation when sending cattle, sheep and goats to market.

British butchers aiming for a management role are being encouraged to book a flight to Denmark.

The Danish Meat Trade College (DMTC) in Roskilde has places on its one-week manager training programme, starting on 24 January, teaching practical skills as well as providing an essential grounding in general management

Fears are growing over the future of the second-biggest producer of Melton Mowbray pork pies following reports that the factory had closed.

Chappell’s Fine Foods in Wigston is one of only nine companies in and around Leicestershire entitled to make the famous pork pies. Its factory has recently closed, causing other firms to work over-time to meet demand.

The PM’s wife Sarah Brown showed her support for the British turkey industry when she accepted a 5kg Christmas bird at No 10.

Scottish minister Richard Lochhead has accepted the recommendation by Quality Meat Scotland to up levy rates.

Organic bosses have hit back at animal activists over claims secret filming showed alleged cruelty against one of its members farms.

Animal Aid published secretly filmed footage at what it said was Otter Valley Poultry, a farm it claimed had Soil Association (SA) approval, a claim denied by the SA.

Tripe experts from all over the world have been consulted by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) during the creation of a new guide to help processors realise the potential of offal.

Animal Aid has announced it has obtained further footage of alleged cruelty, this time against birds in an organic and free-range poultry farm in Devon.

The animal rights organisation filmed secret footage on two occasions in November and December 2009 at Otter Valley Poultry where it has alleged cruelty towards chickens.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned slaughterhouse operators and livestock keepers that they will soon have to ensure that Food Chain Information (FCI) is provided for all cattle, sheep and goats sent for slaughter.

Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) is launching a student bursary scheme for young people wanting a career as a farmer, food technologist or in the processing industry.

Pie-starved Lancastrians can now get hold of their favourite products online. Holland’s Pies enjoys brand recognition on a par with Coca-Cola in the north west, claims the firm, but its new online store marks the first time the brand will be available to those outside the region.

Agriculture’s contribution to climate change needs to be kept in perspective, according to a leading Conservative MEP.

Richard Ashworth, speaking at AgriLIVE Smithfield’s Big Debate, said agriculture was very much in the second division when it came to industries causing climate change. “Climate change is a threat to industry,” he told visitors to the show in Stoneleigh last week, “and we in farming have to understand we are seen as part of the problem.

European Union regulatory approval has been granted for two Brazilian financial groups to take over major Brazil meat companies JBS SA and Bertin SA.

Eblex has unveiled an ambitious export marketing programme for winter 2010, which includes exhibitions and roadshows in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Dubai and Cyprus, while breeding stock exports will be promoted in the Ukraine and France.

Halal issues within the meat sector are to be given greater focus following the establishment of a new industry group.

Workers at a 2 Sisters site in Smethwick are being balloted for strike action over the sacking of 59 staff members in October.

UK food and drink manufacturers have reduced their carbon emissions by 19% since 1990 – the equivalent of one million tonnes of CO2, according to a new report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Bishops Castle abbatoir has now re-opened with the help of 60 shareholders after a two-year closure.

The three-species abbatoir was bought and upgraded by Daysdrove Holdings in the summer, after the group of local farmers and businesses invested in the project to become shareholders of the new limited company.

Secret filming by animal rights group Animal Aid has resulted in the suspension of three slaughtermen at a Devon-based abattoir and potential prosecution.

Tom Lang slaughterhouse near Newton Abbot, which processes both organic and non-organic meat, has had visits from both the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and the Soil Association after secret Animal Aid filming was released to the media and authorities showing alleged cruelty to animals.

A meat industry entrepreneur has been honoured for her work to put more British meat in school meals.

Karen McQuade, boss of The UK Foodhall, won the everywoman Demeter Award after judges said her hard work and determination had meant more than 60% of all meat products on school menus was now British and Red Tractor-assured, compared with less than 10% two years ago.

Abattoir lorry wash users have the chance to get some early Christmas cheer by taking part in a survey of facilities.

New research from IGD reveals that 85% of food manufacturers have either stepped up their investment in sustainability or kept it the same during the recession, despite just over two-fifths (42%) believing it is not yet high enough on the shopper’s agenda.

A new code of practice on the labelling of pork products is to be drawn up following an agreement by pork producers, processors and retailers.

Yorkshire Dales Meat Company has won the Best Fresh Meat Product Category in the Deliciouslyorkshire Awards for its Aberdeen Angus Seven Week Matured Sirloin Steak.

New voluntary guidelines for food and drink companies should help them better communicate information on portion size.

Scottish meat businesses are celebrating after getting big cash hand-outs from the Scottish government.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called on the European Parliament to make country-of-origin labelling mandatory on processed meats.

All meat served at the 2012 London Olympics will be UK farm-assured after organisers vowed to hold the most sustainable Games in history.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) will procure UK Red Tractor Assured food wherever seasonally possible; meat at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be fully traceable and will have been produced to strict standards from farm to venue.

Paul McCartney has taken his campaign for ‘meat-free Mondays’ to a European Parliament hearing, although he received political brickbats for his trouble.

Scotland Food & Drink has unveiled new growth targets of £12.5bn for the Scottish food and drink industry, after urging further collaboration at its AGM last week.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is urging the Chancellor to use Wednesday’s Pre-Budget Report to outline clearly the ways in which the Government will help UK food manufacturers.

Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) has revealed plans to close its abattoir in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Suffolk meat company C&K Group has unveiled plans to build a multi-species plant, serving the East Anglia region, in a project backed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

A leading cancer organisation has said men are less aware that eating processed meat, such as bacon and ham, increases the risk of cancer even though men eat double the amount women do.

A proposal for a high-tech chicken plant in Suffolk, commissioned by two poultry firms and which could create 900 jobs, is being considered.

A poultry processor in Northern Ireland has blamed changes to EU legislation for forcing it to review company operations, with the possible loss of around 140 jobs.

Meat bosses have slammed as “unacceptable” the hygiene problems found in meat plants during a visit by European inspectors into the UK sector.

Inspectors from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) found “serious shortcomings” in two of the 12 food premises visited during a mission to audit whether official controls were being applied across the UK meat and milk sectors.

Pork processor Tulip has announced plans to build a new sausage production facility in Bromborough, creating at least 270 new jobs.

A union representing abattoir vets has called off its proposed strike action over a dispute on union recognition.

The Faccenda Group has been fined a total of almost £5,000 for incorrectly disposing of waste at one of its chicken processing plants in Wiltshire.

Snowbird Foods is celebrating a “Magnificent Seven” when it comes to winning awards in food competitions through 2009.

Two leading Food Standards Agency directors are to step down and their areas are being merged into one as part of the ongoing restructuring of the FSA.

The Welsh Assembly has announced that its Rural Development sub-committee is to undertake an inquiry into animal welfare and meat hygiene at abattoirs and slaughterhouses in Wales.

Tulip-owned Danepak is set to appear on television screens this Sunday as part of its recent sponsorship deal with the Variety Club’s Showbiz Awards.

A Vion training initiative has proven successful, with eight supervisors achieving a management qualification following a work-based course.

Unite has hailed a Budgens boss a “local hero” for supporting sacked 2 Sisters workers by removing the processor’s products from his shelves.

The meat industry faces a “winter of discontent” after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) gave the green light to full cost recovery of UK meat hygiene inspections.

Meat processor Dunbia has hit back at claims by union Unite that workers in Sawley, Lancashire, suffer a pay cut when taking a toilet break.

A case held at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 4 November saw Birmingham Halal Abattoir ordered to pay out a fine, following a prosecution by Severn Trent Water for breach of trade effluent consent in a Severn Trent sewer network.

An unfair system of levy income distribution means Wales is missing out on £1m a year, according to Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales.

British bacon, sausage and ham exports are hitting new heights with the Republic of Ireland remaining the largest market.

Red meat processor Dunbia has been named ‘Own Brand Supplier of the Year 2009 – Best for Innovation’ by Sainsbury’s at the retailer’s annual supplier conference.

A judge at a sentencing hearing has described as “wicked and deliberate” the actions of three men who breached meat hygiene regulations at a Yorkshire meat processing plant.

The economic squeeze is forcing meat companies to cut spending on training, particularly when it comes to hygiene and cleaning, a leading awards body has warned.

Trade union Unison has announced that vets working for one of the biggest suppliers of vets to the Meat Hygiene Service are balloting for strike action in a dispute over union recognition.

A leading haggis producer is hoping to reinvent the Scottish national dish with the launch of a new microwaveable haggis.

Pig prices are continuing to fall, according to producers, who fear the tumbling daily average price (DAPP) could soon see returns below the cost of production.

Bernard Matthews has announced his intention to stand down as director of the Norfolk company he founded in 1950.

Matthews will retire as the director of Bernard Matthews Farms’ holding board after his 80th birthday in January. He will remain chairman of the recently established supervisory board, which represents the interests of the company’s shareholders.

Processors are being given extra time to be in with a chance of scooping a prestigious title under MTJ’s new Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

The deadline for entries has now been extended by two weeks to 13 November and judges will be looking forward to assessing some of the best businesses in the UK sector.

Up to 375 jobs are at risk following a decision by Danish giant Tulip to consider shutting down its fresh sausage production at its Peckham factory.

A Lincolnshire processor has been fined £10,000 after ammonia from its refrigeration units escaped into a nearby stream, causing the death of more than 100 fish.

An ethically-minded Northern Ireland food company has won a contract to supply sausages to Waitrose stores across the UK.

The United States has lost patience with the European Union (EU) over its ban on imports of poultry carcases treated with four types of chemicals – effectively blocking most American chicken from sale.

The Migration and Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that skilled meat boners and trimmers should be added to the list of jobs most in need of immigrant labour.

The MAC’s recommendations were based on a partial review of the shortage occupation lists for the UK and Scotland, which are used alongside Tier 2 of the points-based system for managing immigration.

Welsh pie manufacturer Peter’s Food is targeting the youth market with a new range of classic recipe meaty slices.

Chitty Foods is under investigation by Surrey Police over allegations that it mislabelled meat at its former Guildford abattoir.

Industry sources have suggested that the alleged offences could include falsely labelling meat as organic and labelling imported meat as British.

Unite has accused 2 Sisters of “behaviour more akin to a 19th-century mill owner” after the poultry processor sacked 59 people from its Smethwick site.

The meat processing industry is stuck in a “high-cost regulatory time-warp”, according to the new president of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).

Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) has announced the acquisition of the Chitty Food Group’s abattoir and boning plant in Guidlford, Surrey

An important market for pork has been re-opened following lengthy negotiations with the South Korean authorities.

The country used to be a valuable export market, pig bosses said, but was closed to UK product following the 2007 foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Are you the best plant manager in the business? Or is your operation the best in the UK?

If you want answers to these questions then sign up to the new Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

US giant Smithfield is to target the UK market for the first time with fresh pork. The company, one of the world’s largest pork producers, is aiming to becoming a viable third option for UK and EU industry, competing with Tulip and Vion.

A new range of branded bacon is being launched by Denhay Farms in a bid to revitalise the market for streaky bacon. The company said its Spoiltpig streaky bacon, which is produced from pork reared to RSPCA Freedom Food standards, is aiming to remind consumers of the taste of streaky.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers' (AIMS) annual conference kicks off this year with the opportunity to visit chairman John Geldard's farm.

Food standards bosses have revealed more than 65% of poultry tested at retail level contains bacteria capable of food poisoning.

A study by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) took more than 3,000 samples of fresh chicken from retail shelves and found campylobacter was present in 65% of the samples. However, salmonella was detected in just 6%.

More risk-based proportionate controls for meat are at least five years away, admit Food Standards Agency (FSA) scientists.

The FSA will launch research projects later this year, working towards developing a risk-based regulatory regime for food which aims to protect public health and generate confidence in food.

Meat processor Dunbia were the big winners on the night at a charity gala evening organised by the Co-operative Retail Trading Group (CRTG).

Brazilian beef giant JBS has agreed to stop sourcing cattle from farms responsible for deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

Following months of pressure from environmental campaign group Greenpeace, JBS has finally followed rivals Bertin and Marfrig in adopting moratorium on the purchase of cattle from suppliers linked to illegal deforestation.

Debbie & Andrew’s, best known for its sausages, is making its first foray into new markets with the launch of dual-branded Guinness pies.

HRH The Princess Royal has been elected as one of 15 assistants to the Court of the Worshipful Company of Butchers. She has agreed to serve as renter assistant this year and will become master next year.

Jeffrey Davies, who trades at Smithfield Market and has a factory in Gillingham, Kent, succeeds Brian Wheatley as master for the coming year.

Tesco and Morrisons have signed up to a campaign to improve country of origin labelling on meat products. The retail giants have agreed to back the Conservative Party’s ‘Honest Food’ campaign and provide more information to consumers about where its meat products come from.

The meat industry will be given the opportunity to shine with the launch of MTJ’s new Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

Wm Morrison is pushing ahead on all fronts at a quicker rate than its rivals. In the first half (26 weeks ended 2 August 2009), the retailer revealed a 45% jump in pre-tax profit to £449m from £309m last year. Sales rose by 5% to £7.5bn - ahead of its rivals and fuelled by growth in its butchers' shops and bakeries. Stripping out £91m in pensions credit and property sales, pre-tax profit climbed 22% to £395m.

Stephen Rossides has been appointed the new director of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). He replaces Stuart Roberts, who steps down to join beef processor ABP at the end of the month.

Economic support agency Invest Northern Ireland has claimed it has saved firm Vion £470,000 in a programme aimed at cutting costs and increasing profitability.

One of the largest hog and pork producers in the world is to transform the company focus by specialising more on packaged meat.

Turkey will still be number one with consumers this Christmas, claimed Bernard Matthews Farms (BMF). With purse strings tight in the economic environment, turkey will remain a cost-effective choice for feeding the family, according to BMF’s marketing director Matt Pullen.

Dutch processor Tulip is hoping to build on its position in the UK market with the appointment of a new UK chief executive.

A Scottish meat processing plant is to reduce job numbers in a bid to cut waste from the production cycle.

A row is brewing between the union Unite and poultry giant 2 Sisters, following the suspension of a number of workers in the Midlands.

Vion has announced its disposal of the former Grampian Thai poultry operation. The Netherlands-based company said it was selling Grampian Foods Siam to Navis Capital.

The Dalesman Group has announced the completion of a three-quarters-of-a-million pound extension to its business.

The Black Farmer is celebrating after judges of the 2009 Great Taste Awards picked the brand's Dry Cured Hickory Smoked Back Bacon to receive one of its coveted Gold Awards.

Beef processors are missing out on a potential £95m income boost by failing to tuck in to the fifth-quarter export market, EBLEX has warned.

Animal activists have defended themselves against claims they sat on evidence of animal welfare breaches for up to two months.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has come under fire for its response to the ham-in-lunchboxes furore.

Event organisers of Foodex have said that the show has been gaining increasing support across the food and drinks industry since the rebrand in January.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) has produced a series of technical information posters to illustrate how to use slaughter equipment correctly.

The college of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has announced it is to spearhead a regional training network drive in the Northern Irish food industry.

Animal rights activists have branded the concept of humane slaughter in UK abattoirs a “sham” after secret filming allegedly revealed welfare breaches at a number of slaughterhouses.

Unilever meat brand Peperami has dropped the advertising agency it has used for 16 years and asked to the public to come up with a new campaign.

National advertisements for halal ready-meals were broadcast in France this week, in what is thought to be a first for mainstream European television.

The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) has announced it is to trial a series of meetings giving the chance for business operators to meet with management.

A Carlisle abattoir is under investigation by the Environment Agency for emitting “noxious smells”.

Butchers, supermarkets and sausage manufacturers are being urged to pull their best pork sausages out of the hat in the hunt for the country's most “magical” banger.

The BPEX competition marks the return of British Sausage Week, which will take place from from 2-8 November 2009.

An international private equity firm has announced the acquisition of an artificial sausage casings firm, worth €212.5m, from Montagu Private Equity, subject to approval.

A ‘bangers & mash’ pasty, complete with onion gravy, is just one of a handful of innovative versions of the ever-popular Cornish pasty to be launched next month.

A Northern Ireland processor has created almost 100 new jobs through the acquisition of a pork processing plant in Ballymena.

A leading pie manufacturer played host to Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King in recognition of its charity work.

The Chitty Food Group has been fined nearly £28,000 after admitting pumping too much waste into a waterway.

A second Brazilian beef exporter has agreed to stop sourcing cattle from farms involved in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

Bernard Matthews has revealed that it has entered into consultation with staff over job redundancies at two of its East Anglia plants.

A Scottish meat wholesaler has resumed trading just months after fire devastated its meat processing plant.

Campbells Prime Meat was forced to cancel meat orders after a fire ripped through its Broxburn cutting plant in May, but the company has now relocated to a £6m new facility near Falkirk.

The UK needs to radically rethink the way in which food is produced and processed if we are to enjoy food security in the future, Hilary Benn said today.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary was talking at the launch of the country’s first food security assessment, which analyses the current state of the UK’s food supply and highlights the key challenges to a sustainable future.

Poor weather and the credit crunch are being blamed for putting around 95 jobs at risk with a leading poultry processor.

2 Sisters Food Group has announced that it will be making redundancies at its Willand plant, as a result of poor demand for seasonal barbecue products and increased demand for whole bird products, which require less labour to process.

Kepak UK has been fined a total of £45,000 after two employees at one of its butchery plants in Preston caught Legionnaires’ Disease.

Scottish meat bosses have accused the Food Standard Agency (FSA) chief executive of making “veiled threats”.

A guide on processing fifth-quarter products, such as offal and cheeks, has been distributed to Scottish meat processing companies by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Butchers, meat suppliers and chefs are reporting an increasing demand for the range of economy speciality steaks developed by EBLEX.

A sausage manufacturer is looking to expand its offer to butchers nationwide. Simply Real Sausages are currently available from butchers in London and the south east, but the company is looking to widen its distribution.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has revealed the final shortlist for its annual Community Partnership Awards.

Meat suppliers looking to expand into the export market will be able to seek advice from a new, but familiar source.