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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th May 2012
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Trade deal with China 'huge opportunity'
New export opportunities for UK pig farmers

A delegation including British Pig Executive (BPEX) Chairman Stewart Houston and Farming Minister Jim Paice MP has signed a trade deal with China opening up the lucrative Chinese pigmeat export market to the UK pig farming sector. The construction of the deal first began in 2004.

Such a development is positive news for the UK pig farming sector. Pork constitutes approximately three-quarters of China's total meat consumption and demand for cuts dubbed the 'fifth quarter' such as the diaphragm, feet and stomach is much higher than is the case in other markets. It is likely that the opportunity to sell these cuts to the large and newly prosperous Chinese market will lead to an improvement in the value of the average British pig carcase.

Welcoming the news, BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston said “We wouldn’t be far wrong to expect £30m of exports in the first year and then double that beyond. The plans are in place and the pigmeat is available...We hope this is the start of a bigger engagement with wider export potential. Trade with China in years to come is going to be one of the most important facets of all agricultural production in the UK.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.