Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Due to the avian influenza rampant in Asia, the European Commission today extended the import ban for poultry and poultry products to Thailand. The Federal Ministry of Consumer Affairs today informed the federal states and the economy about the extended protective measures. This means that the import of poultry meat and poultry products from Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Thailand is now prohibited.
The import ban, which also applies to goods carried privately, serves as protection against the introduction of the aggressive virus. "Apparently, this is a type of pathogen that people can also contract, so you can't be too careful here, even if, according to current knowledge, the pathogen can only be transmitted through direct contact with poultry and experts consider it a risk from food extremely low," explains State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Alexander Müller.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
The Lämmerhof was honored today in Berlin with first place in the awarding of the Organic Farming Promotion Prize 1 by Federal Minister Renate Künast. The exemplary way of integrating nature conservation measures into the agricultural practice of the company is recognized. The extremely courageous concept, in particular the innovative anchoring of nature conservation content in the overall operation (grain cultivation on 2004 hectares, greenhouse, farm shop, pig husbandry), convinced the jury. Agriculture, nature conservation, joie de vivre
Farm manager Detlef Hack from the Lämmerhof is satisfied: his courageous vision of a nature-friendly, forward-looking, life-affirming agriculture has worked out. It took about 14 years for what used to be a 2-hectare depression to become an organically farmed contiguous area of 115 ha. Natural treasures that have become rare have since found their way back into this formerly intensively used agricultural landscape. “Snipes, green sandpipers, rails and cranes, almost all habitat specialists had disappeared from our field,” says Detlef Hack. "By restoring a true cultural landscape that balances both farming and conservation, I wanted to get sensitive species back," Hack said. It worked, the white-tailed eagle uses the area as a hunting ground, the cranes are breeding again and the landscape has regained its charm.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
The Ökozentrum Werratal / Thuringia is today awarded the 2nd prize by Federal Minister Renate Künast for its particularly animal-friendly and practice-oriented fattening pigs and cattle husbandry.
"The animal husbandry conditions practiced in predominantly modern or rationalized stables go far beyond the usual requirements and represent a convincing example of how the demands of farm animals with regard to species-appropriate animal husbandry can also be met in larger animal populations", says Eberhard Baumann, Managing Director of the Eco Center Werra Valley / Thuringia. "The high animal performance achieved as well as the good health of the animals impressively underline the importance of species-appropriate animal husbandry for the economic result of an agricultural enterprise," said Baumann.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Award ceremony at the International Green Week
Federal Consumer Minister Renate Künast today awarded organic farms the Federal Consumer Ministry's Promotional Prize for Organic Farming for the fourth time. The prize money totaling 25.000 euros goes to a 1st prize winner and two 2nd prize winners. The high award confirms for all three companies that they operate organic farming at the highest level and have produced many ideas and innovations that can also be easily transferred to other farms. The 2004 Organic Farming Advancement Award goes to:
1st prize winner: The Lämmerhof - Hack & Brüggemann GbR (Panten near Ratzeburg, Schleswig-Holstein, association: Bioland) receives the award for the exemplary integration of nature conservation measures into agricultural practice. The prize money is 10.000 euros.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
This canteen is a reason to take the bus for half an hour," enthuses a Rostock student. Quality, service and prices - everything is just right in the "Mensa Süd" of the Rostock student union. In the "Mensa of the Year 2003" competition of the nationwide university magazine UNICUM CAMPUS, it was voted the winner by students from all over Germany.The Kellenspring canteen in Frankfurt/Oder and the Vechta canteen of the Osnabrück student union followed in second and third place overall.
"Canteens are no longer feeding facilities, but modern service facilities," says UNICUM CAMPUS Editor-in-Chief Dorothee Fricke. "With the Mensa of the Year competition, UNICUM CAMPUS would like to honor student organizations that put a lot of effort into it." From October 14.872st to December 1th, 15, 2003 students took part in the nationwide vote at www.unicum.de and via coupon in the student magazine. They distributed virtual trays in six categories: taste (winner: Rostock), selection (Oldenburg), waiting time (Trier), service (Vechta), atmosphere (Constance) and overall rating (Rostock). The scale ranged from one tray (mensa non grata) to five trays (mensa cum laude). The three best canteens in all UNICUM CAMPUS categories receive a "golden platter" as an award for culinary excellence, brisk service and a student-friendly atmosphere.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Reintroduction of temporary export refunds for pig carcases and cuts
The Community pork sector is in a serious crisis. The euro is strong against the dollar, feed prices are very high as a result of the drought last summer and demand for pork has hit rock bottom. These factors and the usual cyclical fluctuations contribute to the extremely low price level in this sector. In order to solve these problems as quickly as possible, the EU member states today endorsed a proposal by the European Commission to reintroduce temporary export refunds for pig carcases and cuts. The reimbursement is set at € 40 / 100kg and applies to all third countries (with the exception of the 12 acceding and candidate countries). The exports must take place before the end of April 2004. After today's vote, the Commission will officially adopt the proposal so that the regime can enter into force on January 27, 2004.
"Exceptional circumstances require exceptional measures. After all other means have been exhausted, the last option is the temporary reintroduction of export refunds for pork. The measure aims to help pig producers in the Community out of this exceptional crisis situation," said Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for agriculture, fisheries and rural development.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Food is worth more / inform the population better / end the regimentation of agriculture
"Food is sold below value in Germany." All participants in the "Food is worth more" panel discussion, which took place at the International Green Week adventure farm, agreed on this. However, the ways in which consumers understood the value and the ruinous competition in trade and production and its consequences could be prevented were disputed. The organizers were the German Farmers' Association (DBV) and the Association for the Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture (FNL).
For Hubertus Pellengahr, the Main Association of German Retailers, a core problem is that consumers are currently extremely frugal. "Our fellow citizens do not recognize the added value of more expensive products and are therefore increasingly turning to the bargains at the discounters, whose market share is now 40%." Although the competition in the food retail trade is extremely fierce, market mechanisms should not be influenced by state intervention. Pellengahr continues: "Suppliers in the upper segment have to secure a market position with quality, freshness, variety or brand names."
In order to influence consumers' shopping habits, Ulrike Höfken, agricultural policy spokeswoman for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and Adalbert Kienle, Deputy General Secretary of the German Farmers' Association, called for an intensive and long-term dialogue. The participation of the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture and the ErlebnisBauernhof as a joint initiative of the German agriculture and food industry are important steps in this direction. Kienle sees an urgent need for action, because the current misery not only endangers the existence of numerous farmers, but also affects the upstream and downstream economic sectors. "Especially when there is a slight surplus situation on the agricultural markets, the prices are mercilessly dictated by the few large discounters," emphasized Kienle.
Manfred Zöllmer, member of the Bundestag for the SPD, stated in this context that politics can only set the framework for the interplay of supply and demand. "But we don't want to forbid consumers to buy bargains." The MdB's Christel Happach-Casan, FDP, and Gitta Connemann, CDU, professed the principles of the free market economy. However, care must be taken to ensure that German agriculture can produce under the same competitive conditions as its colleagues in neighboring European countries. Mrs. Happach-Casan summed it up. "I demand fair opportunities and less bureaucratic supervision." According to Ms. Connemann, additional services for the preservation of our cultural landscape should also be evaluated and rewarded.
The adventure farm at the Green Week is a joint initiative of the CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen LandwirtschaftsmbH, the German Farmers' Association (DBV), information.medien.agrar eV (ima) and the Association for the Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture (FNL).
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
In the future, consumers will be able to clearly see which foods contain quinine or caffeine. This is provided for in the second regulation to amend the food labeling regulation and other food law regulations, which came into force on January 17 and with which consumer information on foods containing quinine and caffeine will be significantly improved. In the future it will no longer be possible to identify the use of quinine and caffeine solely by the general indication "aroma" in the list of ingredients. Rather, the substances are to be specified as such.
The quantitative specification of the caffeine content of drinks that contain more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter has also been newly regulated. In this case, the indication "high caffeine content" followed by the indication of the caffeine content in milligrams per 100 milliliters must be placed in the same field of vision as the sales description. This regulation is particularly relevant for so-called "energy drinks". The information is not required for beverages based on coffee or tea, the sales description of which contains the word "coffee" or "tea", as this already sufficiently informs the consumer of the caffeine content.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Prime Minister Koch honors Chamber President
Federal President Johannes Rau awarded Jürgen Heyne, President of the Rhein-Main Chamber of Crafts, the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Prime Minister of Hesse, Roland Koch. Prime Minister Roland Koch carried out the ceremony on Monday in his official villa in the presence of numerous high-ranking guests from politics, business and culture. Jürgen Heyne has been President of the Rhein-Main Chamber of Crafts since 1994, President of the Working Group of the Hessian Chambers of Crafts and Trades and President of the Hessian Crafts Day since 1999. Since 1999 he has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and the German Craft Council.##|n##
Since the Federal Cross of Merit, 1st class, of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Federal President Roman Herzog in 1997, Chamber President Jürgen Heyne has expanded his voluntary commitment to other areas that also go beyond the trades. In his function as President of the Rhein-Main Chamber of Crafts, he focuses on the creation of training positions for young people. For example, the Rhein-Main Chamber of Crafts, under his leadership and with the support of other institutions, has launched the annual gallop racing day for crafts since 2000, at which schoolchildren can visit the horse racecourse in Frankfurt-Niederrad free of charge to find out about the can provide information on a wide range of career paths in the skilled trades. The social integration of disadvantaged young people is important to him. He has been their advocate since 2000 as a member of the integration advisory board of the Hessian state government.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Even during the IFFA 2004, the 15. until the 20. In Frankfurt, the DFV is once again organizing numerous international competitions for butchers' craft businesses. "Classics" such as the international quality competitions for sausages and ham are just as much included as the open German meat sausage championships or the new "Butcher Biathlon" held for the first time at the IFFA. Not only the quality of the products submitted by the participants is assessed, but also the creativity and the success of the advertising measures of the respective butcher's shop.
In total, the following competitions will be organized for owners and employees of Fleischer specialty stores: European convenience competition "Snacks, Fingerfood, Canapés and Plates", International Quality Competition for Sausages, International Quality Competition for Raw and Cooked Ham, Butcher Biathlon: Competition for Excellent Fleischer specialty shops, open German meat sausage championships.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
In a letter to the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, the DFV commented on Article 18 of the EC Regulation 178/2002.
It points out that due to the manageable structures, the direct responsibility of the business owner for all work areas and the accounting documentation in the butcher's trade, the origin of the animals for slaughter, the meat bought in and the other ingredients can be named and documented without any gaps. This means that the requirements of Article 18 of EU Regulation 178/2002 are met.
