«Portuguese Beef» reaches new markets due to an internationalization project focused on how to potentiate the Portuguese endogenous products and trigger the demand for products of recognized quality with Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO).

The aim of the «Portuguese Beef» brand is to promote the tradition, authenticity of the meat from Portuguese autochthonous breeds (Arouquesa, Barrosã, Cachena, Marinhoa, Maronesa, Minhota, and Mirandesa).  

The combination of genetic characteristics with an extensive breeding and the exclusive feeding of the calves on mother's milk, fodder, and cereals, allows the early and infiltration of fat into the muscle fibers, providing the meat with succulent, tenderness and unmistakable taste, of recognized international merit.

The promotion of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certified products brings considerable benefits to the rural economy, retaining the rural population, improving farmers' incomes and increasing the trade business of the country.

All the meat of these breeds has in common the fact that they are from traditional Portuguese breeds of the North and Center of Portugal, fed on natural pastures, without productive stress, in eco-sustainable systems.

Since last year, the «Portuguese Beef» has attended in international fairs and organized international events, mainly directed to opinion-makers, press, distributors, and importers in the gourmet market niche.

These activities are part of the internationalization project of the «Portuguese Beef» project, promoted by the National Federation of Autochthonous Breeds Association and co-financing by the Operational Thematic Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization, within the scope of the Support System for Collective Actions (SIAC) of a total investment of EUR 426,637.00, co-financed by 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).

US outlines "specific negotiating objectives" for post-Brexit trade deal with UK

The US government has outlined what it would expect to achieve from a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK.

In its Summary of Specific Negotiating Objectives, the US Trade Representative said it seeks to support higher-paying jobs in the US and to grow the country's economy by improving US opportunities for trade and investment with the UK.

Trump has sought to follow 'America First' policy on trade

 It follows the Trump Administration notifying Congress in October the President intends to negotiate a trade agreement with the UK once it leaves the EU.

"As the first and fifth biggest global economies, the US economic relationship with the UK is one of the largest and most complex in the world, with annual two-way trade totalling more than US$230bn," the document said.

"Multiple tariff and non-tariff barriers have challenged US exporters in key sectors while the UK has been a Member State of the EU and therefore a part of the common trade policy of the EU. 

"The UK's decision to leave the EU creates a new opportunity to expand and deepen the US-UK trade relationship. A new US-UK trade agreement could address these challenges, as well as provide an opportunity to develop new approaches to emerging trade areas where the United States and the UK share common interests and are global leaders."

The US Trade Representative said its aim in negotiations with the UK is to "address both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve fairer and deeper trade in a manner consistent with the objectives that Congress has set out in section 102 of the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act".

It added: "We are committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and substantive results for US consumers, businesses, farmers, ranchers, and workers, consistent with US priorities and the negotiating objectives established by Congress in statute."

The UK government is hoping to forge a meaningful trade deal with the US after it leaves the EU on 29 March but it is likely to face tough negotiations as President Trump has sought to pursue an 'America first' stance on such deals, stating on numerous occasions that he feels the US had done badly out of trade deals it has agreed in the past.

Once the UK leaves the EU it it would then start trading on the basis of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Every WTO member has a list of tariffs and quotas (limits on the number of goods) they apply to other countries. These are known as their WTO schedules.

The UK could choose to introduce low tariffs or waive them altogether, in an attempt to stimulate trade, but under the WTO's most favoured nation (MFN) rules, the UK would not be allowed to lower tariffs for any specific country, alone. It would have to treat every other WTO member around the world in the same way.

One area of the negotiations that will have to be navigated skilfully is around regulations.

In a section in its document referring to agricultural goods, the UK Trade Representative said one of its objectives is to "promote greater regulatory compatibility to reduce burdens associated with unnecessary differences in regulations and standards, including through regulatory cooperation where appropriate".

It added it wants to "establish specific commitments for trade in products developed through agricultural bio-technologies".

The US administration takes the view that under its EU membership the UK food and agricultural sector has been over-regulated.

Last week the US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, urged the UK to leave the EU's "Museum of Agriculture" and dismiss "misleading scare-stories" about American agriculture.

But Jim Moseley, CEO of UK food standards body Red Tractor responded by saying the UK's food standards are now under threat from the United States food lobby. 

The US allows practices such as chlorinating chicken, which consists of dipping meat into chlorinated water to prevent microbial contamination. This practice is banned in the EU.

2019 World Pork Expo — See, Discover, Connect

DES MOINES, Iowa, March 14, 2019 — The 2019 World Pork Expo will take place June 5-7, delivering three days of education, innovation and networking for pork professionals from across the United States and the world. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Expo is home to the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, with indoor and outdoor exhibits displayed throughout the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Each year, more than 20,000 pork producers and representatives visit World Pork Expo to attend educational seminars, learn about the latest products, services and technology within the trade show and share ideas and perspectives with their peers. “Expo has something for everyone, regardless of your operation’s size or whether you’re an owner, grower, employee, veterinarian or allied industry representative. All aspects of the pork production cycle are presented at Expo,” says David Herring, NPPC president and pork producer from Lillington, N.C. “It’s a great place to see what’s new, discover opportunities and connect with other pork professionals.”

Expansive indoor and outdoor trade show   Expo’s crown jewel is its vast trade show where more than 500 U.S. and international companies display products and services from animal health, nutrition, building and equipment, finance, marketing, genetics and more. The Jacobson Exhibition Center (JEC) will return this year, combining with the Varied Industries Building (VIB) and outdoor displays to present more than 360,000 square feet of exhibit space. “Exhibitor interest continues to build, and we plan to expand the outdoor exhibits in the space between the VIB and JEC,” says Doug Fricke, director of trade show marketing for NPPC. “For people who haven’t been to Expo for several years, they would be surprised to see how much the show has changed. If you hope to see it all, you will definitely need two days.” More exhibitors also want to link up with the live-hog shows to display their products and services, so areas around the swine, sheep and cattle barns will be seeing more activity. Company-sponsored hospitality tents continue to flourish and can be found throughout the fairgrounds. Fricke expects 60 or so hospitality tents at this year’s Expo, giving allied industry representatives an opportunity to connect with producers and their employees in a more relaxed setting. Expo attendees can visit the trade show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 7. See, discover, connect is the theme for the 2019 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council. The organizers expect 500 companies from the United States and across the world to display the latest technology, products and services for pork production on June 5-7, in Des Moines.   Free educational and business seminars, live-hog shows and sales, a world-class trade show, entertainment and networking with individuals who work to produce safe, wholesome, nutritious pork for domestic and international markets are just some of what you’ll find at this year’s World Pork Expo, June 5-7.

Register online today   Now in its 31st year, the 2019 World Pork Expo is set for June 5-7, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 20,000 U.S. and international pork professionals are expected to visit this global event that features the world’s largest pork-specific trade show with indoor and outdoor displays totaling more than 360,000 square feet of exhibit space.   Pre-registration is available online and offers a discounted rate of $10 per adult (ages 12 and up) and $1 for children, 6 to 11 years old. Onsite registration will be $20 per adult. Whether you pre-register or do so onsite, it provides entrance into Expo for all three days. There is a special Friday-only option for $10. Whether you’re looking to shop the trade show aisles, listen to a seminar or two, stop by the hog show or connect with other pork professionals, now is the time to make plans to attend the 31st World Pork Expo, June 5-7, in Des Moines. World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show, is brought to you by NPPC. On behalf of its members, NPPC develops and defends export markets, fights for reasonable legislation and regulation, and informs and educates legislators. For more information, visit nppc.org. More photos are available for download at the World Pork Expo Media Center.

US activist Investor Paulson ups stake in UK's Premier Foods

US-based investor Paulson & Co. has upped its stake in UK manufacturer Premier Foods to 11.9%.

The move, confirmed in a regulatory notification seen by just-food, sees New York-based Paulson significantly increase its previous stake of 7% and comes less than three months after Premier CEO Gavin Darby announced he was stepping down and the company revealed its plan to sell off its Ambrosia custard brand.

This followed a rancorous battle for control of the company last summer when activist investor Oasis Management, Premier's second-largest investor with a 17.3% stake, supported by Paulson, its third-largest, called for a new strategy, involving the sale of assets and for Darby to be replaced.

Darby retained his position in a vote at the company's annual general meeting in July, largely because he won the support of the Bisto gravy and Oxo cube maker's largest shareholder Nissin Foods, which has a 19.6% holding in Premier and its three largest pension funds, only to announce his departure four months later.

Premier's chief financial officer Alastair Murray was named acting CEO last month.