

EU lawmakers back Ukraine food import extension, with curbs
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to back a year-long extension to tariff-free trade for Ukrainian farm produce, while introducing new curbs on the level of imports to assuage protesting EU farmers.

U.S. cattle vets rename bovine bird-flu
CDC asks state health authorities to have plans in place to test, treat farm workers; says risk to humans still low
An organization representing American cattle veterinarians has opted to refer to bird flu in cattle as bovine influenza A virus, or BIAV, in hopes of distancing it from its avian counterpart.

EU provisionally agrees to Ukraine farm import curbs
The European Union provisionally agreed on Monday to restrictions on Ukrainian food imports, which some EU members say have destabilized the bloc's agricultural markets.

Explainer: Avian flu in dairy cows warrants close attention
Farmers should identify unusual signs of disease in cattle and have them examined by a veterinarian
An emerging disease syndrome was originally identified in dairy cows in Texas. These cows were identified by animal care workers and veterinarians as having the main clinical signs of reduced milk production and decreased feed intake. Approximately 10 per cent of the cows seem to show clinical signs on affected farms. No deaths occurred and cows seemed to recover with supportive care within two to three weeks. However, loss of milk production was significant. These same farms reported deceased wild birds on their properties.

World food prices rebound from three-year low, says UN agency
World food prices rebounded in March from a three-year low, boosted by increases in vegetable oils, meat and dairy products, according to the United Nations food agency's latest price index.

Bird flu dairy cow outbreak widens in Ohio, Kansas, New Mexico
Bird flu has infected a dairy herd in Ohio for the first time and was detected in additional herds in Kansas and New Mexico, according to the U.S. government, expanding an outbreak in cows that has raised concerns about possible risks to humans.

Wider bird flu spread raises concern for humans, animal health body says
Virus has spread to new regions, infected cats, tigers, bears, seals and other animals
The spread of bird flu to an increasing number of species and its widening geographic reach have raised the risks of humans being infected by the virus, the head of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Thursday.

Ontario court strikes down portions of ‘ag-gag’ anti-trespass law
Decision a "decisive victory," animal rights proponents say
Some sections of Ontario’s so-called ag gag law have been struck down by the province’s Superior Court. The court ruled April 2 that certain provisions within the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act 2020 violate the right of freedom of expression under the Charter of Rights, declaring them to have no force or effect.

Bird flu hits Texas dairy cows, hens, human as ducks migrate
[Change management: career change] Outbreak may have started a month ago after mysterious illness affected 40 per cent of Texas dairy cattle
Migratory waterfowl are to blame for widening avian-flu outbreaks in Texas cows and poultry, and wild birds carrying the virus should be heading north soon, state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said.

Cal-Maine Foods halts egg production at Texas facility after detecting bird flu
American egg producer Cal-Maine Foods has temporarily halted production at its Texas facility after detecting avian influenza, which has led to the culling of about 1.6 million laying hens, the company said today.