UK-US trade deal: Envoy attacks 'myths' about US farming
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47426138
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47426138
Showing posts with label Poultry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poultry. Show all posts
3/2/19
10/15/17
The Netherlands: World’s first CO2-neutral chicken eggs laid in the Netherlands - by Mina Solanki
Another world’s first for farming and agriculture in the Netherlands; this time it's a CO2-neutral chicken farm with 24.000 chickens in Castenray in the province of Limburg.
In order to achieve CO2-neutrality, specific choices have been made regarding the farm itself and the chickens that will inhabit it. White chickens will take up residence on the farm; this type of chicken is lighter in terms of weight and eats less, thus saving on the amount of feed necessary to rear the chickens.
Contributing to the eco-friendly character of the farm, the feed given to the chickens is made from farming waste products, which would otherwise not be used for human consumption.
The farm features 1.097 solar panels, which will generate more energy than the farm uses. Around 60 percent of the generated solar energy will be sold. Fossil fuels are not used and emission of particulate matter will be limited to an absolute minimum through the use of advanced technology that filters the air leaving the barn.
Chickens are the inspiration for this farm, as it has been designed according to their needs, and the Dutch animal protection agency, Dierenbescherming, was involved during its development.
Chickens like sunlight and are actually forest animals. To accommodate for this, the farm design includes an indoor garden with a glass roof and trees and tree trunks where the chickens can play.
The chickens can experience fresh air from outside, inside the farm, but if it is nice weather they can also venture outside and choose from two spaces to roam.
Read more: World’s first CO2-neutral chicken eggs laid in the Netherlands
In order to achieve CO2-neutrality, specific choices have been made regarding the farm itself and the chickens that will inhabit it. White chickens will take up residence on the farm; this type of chicken is lighter in terms of weight and eats less, thus saving on the amount of feed necessary to rear the chickens.
Contributing to the eco-friendly character of the farm, the feed given to the chickens is made from farming waste products, which would otherwise not be used for human consumption.
The farm features 1.097 solar panels, which will generate more energy than the farm uses. Around 60 percent of the generated solar energy will be sold. Fossil fuels are not used and emission of particulate matter will be limited to an absolute minimum through the use of advanced technology that filters the air leaving the barn.
Chickens are the inspiration for this farm, as it has been designed according to their needs, and the Dutch animal protection agency, Dierenbescherming, was involved during its development.
Chickens like sunlight and are actually forest animals. To accommodate for this, the farm design includes an indoor garden with a glass roof and trees and tree trunks where the chickens can play.
The chickens can experience fresh air from outside, inside the farm, but if it is nice weather they can also venture outside and choose from two spaces to roam.
Read more: World’s first CO2-neutral chicken eggs laid in the Netherlands
4/7/12
Europe: Easter shoppers hit by egg-streme price hikes
Europe is in the grip of the usual Easter craze as eggs become the focus of everyone’s attention. However this year’s egg fever is like no other before. Eggs – be they normal or chocolate – have seen an unprecedented rise in price.
There’s nothing unusual in egg prices soaring at Easter. However, this year eggs are almost 80% (76.5) more expensive than last season, according to the Wall Street Journal. Supply is failing to meet demand as many producers have simply halted their egg production. It all has to do with new European Union rules requiring larger cages for battery hens. European Union member states were given until the beginning of this year to switch from using small cages to new ones with more space, bedding and perches. As a result, there are fewer eggs on the market. While some producers are in the middle of upgrading their facilities, others have simply chosen to leave the business rather than pay for the luxurious comfort of their hens.
Eastern European countries have suffered the most. Many customers in poorer economies think the regulation has taken fighting for the animal rights a tad far. There are those who now go across borders to build up their stocks of eggs for Easter – for example in Poland the price is 40% less than in neighboring countries. So going abroad to buy several hundred eggs for a family is nothing out of the ordinary these days.
However, egg-hunting across borders doesn’t solve the problem of chocolate eggs, which are another Easter essential. These too have become more expensive almost everywhere. For example, in Great Britain chocolate treats have become almost 200% more expensive than last year, according to the local newspaper Daily Mail.
For more: Easter shoppers hit by egg-streme price hikes — RT
There’s nothing unusual in egg prices soaring at Easter. However, this year eggs are almost 80% (76.5) more expensive than last season, according to the Wall Street Journal. Supply is failing to meet demand as many producers have simply halted their egg production. It all has to do with new European Union rules requiring larger cages for battery hens. European Union member states were given until the beginning of this year to switch from using small cages to new ones with more space, bedding and perches. As a result, there are fewer eggs on the market. While some producers are in the middle of upgrading their facilities, others have simply chosen to leave the business rather than pay for the luxurious comfort of their hens.
Eastern European countries have suffered the most. Many customers in poorer economies think the regulation has taken fighting for the animal rights a tad far. There are those who now go across borders to build up their stocks of eggs for Easter – for example in Poland the price is 40% less than in neighboring countries. So going abroad to buy several hundred eggs for a family is nothing out of the ordinary these days.
However, egg-hunting across borders doesn’t solve the problem of chocolate eggs, which are another Easter essential. These too have become more expensive almost everywhere. For example, in Great Britain chocolate treats have become almost 200% more expensive than last year, according to the local newspaper Daily Mail.
For more: Easter shoppers hit by egg-streme price hikes — RT
3/30/12
Europe faces Easter egg quandary
This the season to paint Easter eggs in Europe. Now children, listen: Handle with care, they break easily – and this year there are not too many about so they are very expensive.
For more: Europe faces Easter egg quandary | Long Island Press
Demand for eggs traditionally reaches its peak around the Easter holiday. This year, the egg industry has been hit by the European Union’s new requirements for bigger, more animal-friendly cages for hens. The changes it brings have affected production and, combined with high feed cost, boosted consumer prices.
Ahead of Easter Sunday, on April 8 or 15 depending on the religious denomination, it makes for a costly tradition on a continent where millions have grown up painting or dyeing eggs as children and are now facing economic crisis.
For more: Europe faces Easter egg quandary | Long Island Press
10/21/10
The Netherlands: "Free range eggs" voted most misleading advertised food term
The term 'free range egg' has been voted the most misleading food term of the year by visitors to the website of animal rights group Wakker Dier.
According to the official Dutch definition, free-range eggs are produced by chickens who share a square metre of barn with eight others and never go outside. By contrast, free-range chicken, pork and beef comes from animals which have access to outdoor pens.
The foundation told Dutch Nos tv it believes free range eggs are so much more popular than organic and vrije uitloop (free run) eggs in the Netherlands because people believe the hens can go outdoors.
For more: DutchNews.nl - Free range eggs voted most misleading advertised food term
According to the official Dutch definition, free-range eggs are produced by chickens who share a square metre of barn with eight others and never go outside. By contrast, free-range chicken, pork and beef comes from animals which have access to outdoor pens.
The foundation told Dutch Nos tv it believes free range eggs are so much more popular than organic and vrije uitloop (free run) eggs in the Netherlands because people believe the hens can go outdoors.
For more: DutchNews.nl - Free range eggs voted most misleading advertised food term
6/18/08
EurActiv.com - EU - Outrage at plans to lift USA 'chlorine chicken' ban
For the complete report from EurActiv.com click on this link
EU - Outrage at plans to lift USA 'chlorine chicken' ban
Members of Parliament from all political horizons have reacted with fury to a Commission proposal yesterday (28 May) to re-allow imports of poultry rinsed with chemicals, stemming mainly from the United States.MEPs, meeting in Parliament's Environment Committee, were incensed by the decision, which they say contradicts Community food production standards. "The chlorination of chicken intended for human consumption is not acceptable for the EU […] Such food production methods are at variance with the relevant Community standards, and threatening to the EU's entire set of food production standards and rules," states an EP press release. If approved, the proposal would effectively lift an 11-year ban on US poultry, which are generally treated with these processes.
The US has been pushing for the ban to be lifted for years but to no avail. However, the issue was recently pinpointed as a top priority in the new "Transatlantic Economic Council" process, which aims to remove remaining regulatory obstacles hampering trade and investment between the two economic giants.
France is leading the opposition to the plans, saying the move would frustrate efforts to reduce bacterial infection rates, such as salmonella, in Europe. Many other European governments are fiercely opposed to any form of compromise on food safety standards, which in the EU are among the highest in the world.
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