US/EU subsidies to continue despite financial pressures

Australian farmers are unlikely to benefit from reforms to the US Farm Bill and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the European Union, according to research reported in the latest edition of the Australian Farm Institute’s Farm Policy Journal. The US and EU are two of the world's largest agricultural production regions and changes to their agricultural policies have the potential to impact farmers around the world, including Australian farmers. The AFI reports that while there is general consensus that direct payments to farmers in the US are likely to be phased out in future, current generous subsidies for crop insurance will be made even more generous. These measures have the effect of maintaining farm income support, while shifting some of the cost to the private sector. The Spring edition of the Journal also contains several papers examining current proposals for a future EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is due to commence in 2014. At this stage there are no serious reform proposals despite the cost of the CAP for the EU, and despite the current eurozone financial crisis. The main changes proposed at this stage seem to involve strengthening some of the ‘green’ compliance measures, and creating stronger incentives for farmer cooperatives to help farmers get a better share of retail dollars. “What seems amazing from an Australian agricultural perspective is that neither the US or the EU are showing any real desire to reform their comprehensive and expensive farm policies, despite the large cost of these policies for taxpayers, and despite the perilous state of government finances in both locations.” AFI executive director Mick Keogh said. To view the spring edition of the Journal visit the Australian Farm Institute website here

2000-year-old beef found in China

Chinese archaeologists have said that a black substance found in an ancient tomb in northwest China's Shaanxi Province is a 2000-year-old portion of beef. "After months of high-tech analysis scientists confirmed the substance's makeup," Hu Songmei, a paleontologist from the provincial archaeological institute said, as reported by India’s Zeenews. The tomb was discovered during a two-year excavation project in the Wanli village in the provincial capital of Xi'an. The beef, most of which had been carbonised, is the earliest beef product discovered in China, state-run news agency Xinhua quoted Hu as saying. The beef was discovered two years ago in a bronze pot placed in a tomb and is believed to date back to the Warring States Period (475 BC – 221 BC), she said. Hu said the beef did not shrink, proving that it had been dried before being put into the pot.

Russia considers ban on US live cattle ships

Russian authorities say they are considering imposing temporary restrictions on the importation of breeding cattle by sea from the United States in the wake of high mortality rates on a recent shipment. Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rosselkhoznadzor, said it was seriously concerned about the deaths of breeding cattle on a recent shipment from the US to the port of Novorossiysk. “Out of 3314 animals arrived on board of “PEARL OF PARA” vessel, 59 animals died during transportation from Novorossiysk to the farms of destination, 160 animals died during quarantine period on the farms of destination, 180 animals were emergently slaughtered and 665 animals are planned for emergency slaughter due to extreme cachexia. Therefore the Russian consignees in fact short-received over 1000 breeding cattle.”  It stated that a further 195 animals which were too weak for offloading were sent back aboard the same ship to the US. The agency says it has submitted a request to US veterinary services to carry out an internal investigation and to take necessary measures to prevent such cases in future. Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement it was not confident the US had systems in place to guarantee such a situation would not occur again, but added that it has agreed to continue consultations to provide an acceptable safety level during export of live animals from the USA to Russia. 

Taskforce tackles rural education and labour shortages

The National Agribusiness Education, Skills and Labour Taskforce, facilitated by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), has brought key players in the Australian agricultural and education sectors together to address critical issues around education, training, skills and labour in a bid to encourage more students to take up agricultural careers. NFF President Jock Laurie said the Taskforce recognised that the time for action on agricultural education was now. The group had resolved to collaboratively address key issues and to take the agreed solutions and actions to key decision-makers on behalf of the wider agricultural sector. According to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations the agricultural industry has experienced the largest decline in employment over the last ten years – and predictions show that employment growth will be subdued over the next five.

Qld steps up war on wild dogs

The Queensland Government has reinvigorated the Queensland Dog Offensive Group (QDOG) committee and increased funding as it aims to reduce the number of wild dog attacks on livestock in the state. “We need to make every effort to protect livestock production, the environment, and the community in general from this growing menace,” Qld agriculture minister John McVeigh said. Immediate past president of AgForce Brent Finlay will chair the QDOG, which will meet on September 28. In addition to Mr Finlay, members of QDOG include Cr Ray Brown, Mayor of Western Downs Regional Council; Cr Denis Cook, Mayor of Murweh Shire Council; Cr Barry Muir, Mayor of Blackall-Tambo Regional Council; Cr Joe Owens, Mayor of Longreach Regional Council; Peter Lucas, AgForce Sheep and Wool Board; Ian Harsant, AgForce Cattle Board; Dave Edwards, western landholders and retired mayor of Quilpie Council; Ted Parish, Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and Dr John Hodgon, Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. Mr McVeigh said he will rely on the new committee advise him on the strategic direction of wild dog management in Queensland. Increased resources included the appointment of five new wild dog officers to be based at Blackall, Charleville, Applethorpe, Beaudesert and Nambour.