Livestock News for May 21

According to National Hog Farmer, the trade war between the United States and China continues to escalate with no end in sight. China announced that effective June 1 it was increasing the tariff on $60 billion of U.S. goods from 10% to 25%. China’s Ministry of Finance announced the 25% tariff will apply to 2,493 U.S. products, with other goods subject to tariffs of 5% to 20%. This action taken by China follows President Trump’s decision to raise tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods.

USDA developing more ASF safeguards

According to MEAT+POULTRY, The US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 16 that it is developing more African Swine Fever (ASF) preparedness efforts with the implementation of a surveillance plan. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA will work with the swine industry, state and veterinary diagnostic laboratories to test for the deadly disease. “African Swine Fever is an area of high interest among the veterinary community and our swine industry, and we continue to take action to prepare for this deadly disease,” said Greg Ibach, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. “While we are confident that our overlapping safeguards will continue to keep ASF out of the United States, an enhanced surveillance program will serve as an early warning system, helping us find any potential disease much more quickly.”

Farmer aid in wake of China trade war to be $15-20B

According to Feedstuffs, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue confirmed USDA will be looking to offset the trade disruption to farmers in the range of $15-20 billion. Although Perdue said USDA continues to work on finalizing exactly how the aid will be constructed, the agency is taking into account comments from stakeholders on the last round of aid. He acknowledged that certain commodity groups were unhappy with how the direct payment calculations the last time offered disproportionate aid to some sectors over others.

Outbreak of African Swine Fever reported in South Africa

According to Reuters, South Africa has detected an outbreak of African swine fever on a farm in North West province, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said, citing a report from the South African agriculture ministry. The outbreak killed 32 out of a herd of 36 pigs on a farm in the Ditsobotla district, with the remaining animals slaughtered, the report said. The outbreak occurred outside South Africa’s control zone for the disease and may be linked to contact with wild animals, the report said.

Ben & Jerry’s forms Dairy Advisory Council

Ben & Jerry’s has convened a new Dairy Advisory Council comprised of experts in environmental health, the animal protection movement, Lake Champlain water quality, and organic farming to help the company achieve its newly refined Values-Led Dairy Vision, according to a release. The company’s vision is that all dairy used by Ben & Jerry’s in the manufacture of its products will be sourced from dairy farms which have: thriving and dignified livelihoods for farmers and farm workers; exceptional animal welfare standards for cows; a flourishing ecosystem in which feed is grown ecologically, without use of harmful chemicals or GMOs, and in a way that protects water resources and promotes biological diversity; and, farm operations acting as a net carbon sink through minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil.

U.S. beef gains full access to Japan

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions that eliminate Japan’s longstanding restrictions on U.S. beef exports, paving the way for expanded sales to the United States’ top global beef market. Recently, on the margins of the G-20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Niigata, Japan, Secretary Perdue met with Japanese government officials and affirmed the importance of science-based trade rules. The new terms, which take effect immediately, allow U.S. products from all cattle, regardless of age, to enter Japan for the first time since 2003. “This is great news for American ranchers and exporters who now have full access to the Japanese market for their high-quality, safe, wholesome, and delicious U.S. beef,” Secretary Perdue said. “We are hopeful that Japan’s decision will help lead other markets around the world toward science-based policies.”