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UK and China make £50 million pork deal
Decision announced by Jim Paice.

Agricultural Minister Jim Paice has announced a landmark agreement with China that will significantly boost trade for British food and farming businesses. In a deal estimated to be worth £50 million, British pork - mostly the "fifth quarter" such as offal, trotters and ears - will be exported to China.

Mr Paice said: "China is the most lucrative grocery market in the world and, from fashion to food, its rapidly expanding middle class has an appetite for western goods."

He added: "In particular they are eating more meat, and our top quality produces have got huge opportunities to meet that demand and help our economic recovery."

In addition, the industry is currently developing its trade in genetic material for breeding programmes, as British pigs are more fertile and productive.

BPEX chairman Stewart Houston called the deal "a wonderful achievement," adding that it is "something we have been working towards for several years in close co-operation with DEFRA and the British embassy in Beijing." 

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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.