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Food safety and traceability by Chris Jackson, Export Manager UK TAG I cannot believe that another month has flown by and that I am writing another column (this time from the Philippines!). Such extensive travel means that I have hardly had time to touch base with my farming roots in the UK, where after a very late spring, the crops are beginning to look good. Travel this month has taken me to the USA to attend World Pork Expo. I observed that the numbers of exhibitors this year is down on previous years - their industry is still beset with the menace of PED. After more than a year of its devastating effects, the farmers are beginning to live with the disease by improving management and biosecurity. Here I am reminded of some groundbreaking research carried out at the Rowett Institute in the UK with pigs. At the institute they have successfully transplanted genes from the warthog, which is resistant to African Swine Fever, into domestic pigs that have subsequently also proven resistant to the disease. The importance of research and development for our industry cannot be underestimated. I am reminded of a veterinary surgeon many years ago saying that cutting research budgets could pose serious problems. How right he was! As well as being incredibly gratifying to see this exciting research being carried out by universities, it is also vital that we do not lose species and breeds within breeds as they all have different genetics that are 22 | Milling and Grain
still not fully understood and could, in the future, be vital for survival. Vigilance and surveillance on a world scale must be increased to stop the spread of these devastating diseases. On a much brighter note, it was really exciting at World Pork to see the number of young pig producers at the event showing their animals with real pride, dedication and skill. The world’s industry could learn from their example. From the USA, I went on to the Philippines, South East Asia’s third biggest pig producer. Currently prices and producer confidence are high. But this country is so very different to the USA, with production scale varying from backyard subsistence to very major units of up to and over 15,000 sows. The industrial scale production is well organised (as one would expect) but we see a need to help improve production at local level with better breeding stock, feed and management. The government is keen to help its agricultural industry, demonstrated by the fact that President Aquino opened the exhibition. Having had serious discussions with the Department of Agriculture, there are lots of opportunities for collaboration to improve production from pig and cattle farming, aquaculture and cropping. Also, as in most countries, food safety and traceability is an issue that the Government is trying hard to prioritise. From here, I return to the UK to see how our harvest prospects are looking. Afterwards, I travel on to Indonesia to attend Indo Livestock before the Swine Expo in China and World Dairy Expo. Of course, I will be pleased to meet and talk with any of Milling and Grain’s readers. @AgrictecExports
Yara International ASA, through its wholly owned subsidiary Yara UK Limited, has agreed with CF Industries to sell its stake in GrowHow UK Group Limited for a total enterprise value (50 percent basis) of USD 648 million, of which USD 68 million relates to an unfunded pension liability.
The Mills Archive Trust has just received £68,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, “From Quern to Computer”. Helped by volunteers from the local community as well as further afield, the project focuses on telling the fascinating story of flour milling, from its ancient origins in 6,000 BC up to the present day and large computerdriven roller mills. From Quern to Computer will enable people from participating mills and from around the world, of all ages and interests, to learn about the evolution of flour milling and contribute to shaping the story online.
Braime Elevator Components Ltd a worldwide manufacturer of material handling and electronic components for bucket elevators and conveyors, has changed its UK registered name to ‘4B Braime Components Ltd’. The company has also launched their new website, which comes with an extended product section, streamlined navigation and improved multi-lingual features.