Waitrose breaks ranks

Pat's Note: The inevitable jockeying for position will now take place
between the supermarkets.

You are now a step away from "No British meat, dairy produce or eggs sold
here." It will start with "No Scottish eggs or poultry..."

The irony is that the NPA has been singing the praises of Waitrose - and
with Asda they have been the first to "exploit the situation/ protect their
interests."

It was inevitable. From a business point of view, they are right. Defra has
no chance of reassuring the public. They have been wrong too often.

The public all remember BSE and FMD. Some even remember CSF. What they will
do when they find out about PMWS?

Farming now pays the price for failing to insist of the reform of the State
Veterinary Service.

http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/ng.asp?n=66962-bird-flu-supermarket-scotland

UK suppliers and retailers tense over bird flu find

By Anita Awbi

10/04/2006 - Following last week's spread of avian flu to Britain,
supermarket sourcing policy has come under fire from anxious government
ministers and poultry organisations desperate to placate concerned shoppers.

Tensions are running high after a dead wild mute swan, found at Cellardyke
harbour in eastern Scotland last Thursday, tested positive to the H5N1
virus. The UK is now the 13th EU country with the disease.

An ITN news poll of 2000 viewers last Friday found that 49 per cent may
consider cutting poultry from their diets as the situation goes forward,
with 23 per cent saying they will stop eating eggs and chicken.

Retailers, suppliers and government officials are starting to feel edgy.
They expect the true impact of avian flu to hit the UK poultry industry over
the coming days and weeks.

It was reported in the Scottish national press that Waitrose, with 174
supermarkets in England and two upcoming Scottish stores, stated it did not
source any poultry or eggs from Scotland.

The comment was seized upon by Scottish Executive minister Ross Finnie, who
criticised the firm for its "irresponsible" and "outrageous" reaction to the
crisis.

Representatives from the National Farmers Union and Scottish Egg Producer
Retailer's Association have come out in support of the environment
minister's comments, condemning Waitrose for its handling of the situation.

But the supermarket, part of the John Lewis Partnership, refuted the claim
that it had acted out of hand. A spokesperson told FoodandDrinkEurope.com:
"We are actively sourcing Scottish eggs and poultry for our new stores
opening in Edinburgh this summer.

We simply responded to a journalist who asked us about sourcing policy - but
explained to that same journalist that we do not consider bird flu to be a
food-borne disease."

The big four supermarkets - including Tesco and Asda - said poultry sales
were largely unaffected immediately after the H5N1-infected swan was found.
But speculators have implied that the full impact of a drop in sales will
not become apparent until later this week.

Since the spread of the recent avian flu bug to Europe, consumption of
poultry and eggs has fallen dramatically in some member states, leading to a
sharp reduction in prices

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported in February that
recent avian influenza outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa have
caused dramatic swings in poultry consumption, increased trade bans and
sharp price declines. The UN agency expects poultry consumption shocks this
year in many countries.

"A steady erosion of previously expected gains in per caput poultry
consumption will likely push down global poultry consumption in 2006,
currently estimated at 81.8 million tonnes, nearly three million tonnes
lower than the previous 2006 estimate of 84.6 million tonnes," stated FAO
commodity specialist Nancy Morgan.

According to the FAO report consumption shocks are ranging from a dramatic
70 per cent decline in Italy in mid-February to 20 per cent in France and 10
per cent in northern Europe.

It remains to be seen how the British market will react, but news that nine
from a possible 14 dead Scottish birds found were free from the H5N1 virus
should bump up the short-term outlook for an anxious industry.


Regards
Pat Gardiner
www.go-self-sufficient.com


.

Relevant Pages

  • Who Goes First?
    ... If you only choose one, drop the poultry, not the beef! ... over other animals. ... chickens and turkeys are totally capable of feeling pain. ... The production of eggs and poultry are undeniably cruel. ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: Dutch birds going out?
    ... consider cutting poultry from their diets as the situation goes forward, ... with 23 per cent saying they will stop eating eggs and chicken. ... realise deeper reform is necessary and do it themselves or have it forced ... Pure bred utility chickens and ducks ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)
  • Re: October 1
    ... trying to dance on my fingers as I tap away at the ... poultry and showing them since childhood - no idea what kind though. ... deep brown eggs - they're the only eggs I can ... Times do change;-) Prices do go up. ...
    (uk.rec.gardening)
  • Re: Crached eggs ?
    ... One of my hens lays eggs that are always/mostly cracked at one end ... She is a Exchequer leghorn. ... enough, hence the slippage to elongation, which will create a ... They have available at all times a poultry mixed grit/shell. ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: Killer hot wings
    ... Sort of like that red rub they sprinkle all over meat and poultry at ... times in the supermarkets. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)