Call for Clearer Labelling and Sustainable Farming
UK - The UK is to push Europe to change regulations for clearer country of origin labelling (COOL).

UK Climate Policy Threatens Trade
UK - USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has published a report indicating that the United Kingdom's Climate Policy may be a threat to trade.

A New Year Message from UFU President
NORTHERN IRELAND - In a review of 2008 and a new year message for 2009, Ulster Farmers’ Union President Graham Furey said farmers would be hoping for a change of fortune as the new year begins.

Welfare Group Hits Out at Cage Systems
An animal welfare organisation has countered arguments that enriched cages can provide good welfare condition for laying hens.

Anaerobic Digestion Boosts Farm Energy Production
UK - The Environment Agency's decision to revise its regulatory position on the waste status of anaerobic digestate produced from farm-based inputs is a victory for common sense and a welcome boost to on-farm energy production, the NFU and Renewable Energy...

Organic Farmers Call for Rule Bending
UK - Some organic farmers are asking for a relaxation of the rules on production to ease the current situation of falling demand and rising production costs, but their request is not shared by all organic producers.

Unapproved GM Rapeseed Found in Trial
UK - The presence of unapproved genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape has been found in a trial of conventional rapeseed in south-west England.

Layers Take to Enriched Colonies
UK - Eurovent 625a has proved itself in the UK, according to Big Dutchman. The farm reports improved hen welfare and the achievement of egg production targets.

Environmental Group Campaigns vs. Imported Soya
UK - Large-scale factory farming of meat and dairy is destroying rainforests and must be tackled by Government investment in building a healthy British farming sector, according to a new report released by Friends of the Earth.

Poultry Industry Service Honours
UK - Three members of the British Poultry industry were honoured this week for their services to the industry.

Students Receive Scholarship Awards
UK - Two research students have been awarded scholarship awards by the British Poultry Council.

Cracking Cure for Hangovers
UK - The British Egg Information Service reports more research on the benefits of eating eggs.

Award for Promoting British Chicken
UK - A leading light in the West Country’s poultry industry has received a national award for promoting the British chicken sector and for encouraging openness and transparency.

Research Finds Eggs a Cracking Cure for Hangovers
UK - Tucking into a plate of eggs after a big night out will do more than simply satisfy your tastebuds – it will also help fight your hangover.

Industry Targets Campylobacter
UK - The fight against campylobacter in poultry is to become a major focus for the British poultry industry.

Defra: Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases
UK - The Government’s updated Exotic Animal Disease Contingency Plan was laid in Parliament yesterday (9 November 2008).

E. coli Kite Mark to Show Manure Pollution Risk
UK - Researchers have created a system to help farmers and advisors recycle manure without risking pollution to nearby streams and rivers.

Strike Threat at Poultry Plants
UK - Trade union Unite is to ballot its members at three sites in the UK's leading poultry processing company, 2 Sisters Food Group, for industrial action over low pay.

Uncertainities in Tackling GHG Emissions Accepted
UK - The joint agricultural Climate Change Task Force has welcomed the report published on 1 December by the Committee on Climate Change, which recognises the complexity of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and the need for more...

New IB Strain and Losses in Christmas Turkeys
UK - The Monthly Surveillance Report from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) for October 2008 highlights a further case of infectious bronchitis (IB) caused by the imported QX virus strain and losses of turkeys destined for the Christmas market...

Christmas Turkeys Thrive on Pelleted Feeds
UK - Turkeys seem to benefit more than most species by switching to pelleted feeds with trial results showing that body weights at 20 weeks can be improved by up to 5 percent simply by using pellets.

CAP Health Check Implications for Livestock
UK - The NFU's national livestock board has met to discuss the recent CAP Health Check and its implications for livestock farmers across England, particularly the new provision which allows member states to channel unused funds within national ceilings...

Value of Manure: Both Fertiliser and Biofuel in NI
NORTHERN IRELAND - Manures produced by housed farm livestock are a valuable resource both as a plant fertiliser and as a source of renewable energy.

Good News: Meat Strike Called Off
UK - Meat hygiene employers have agreed to pay a long-overdue pay rise to UNISON members – and the union is calling off strike action which members voted for last week.

GB Animal Feed Statistical Notice
UK - The latest national statistics on Great Britain's output of animal feed for the months of July, August and September 2008 have been published by Defra.