SEPRA News
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Jean Inverarity
The sad news is that today is the funeral of Jean Inverarity, wife of Sandy. Sandy is well known as past Chairman of SAC and ex-president of SNFU.
Jean, ever present at the Poultry Club of Scotland Dinners, will be remembered for her beaming smile and love of life. Both Sandy and Jean were accountants, while Jean’s family at one time controlled Dundee football club.
Always enjoying humour, Jean had suffered her illness over a long period and we send our sympathy to Sandy and his family.
John Cook
I see in my copy of Poultry World that John Cook has died. I knew John as ‘Spillers poultry adviser‘ Everyone knew John, who could always be sure to provide a laugh. John, I am sure, would be one who created and interested many UK companies in poultry, both egg and broilers.
Does anyone remember the McTaggart laying units at Johnston Moss? John had a hand in their design etc.
Welfare threats
The ever-present threats of ‘welfare’?
It was noted in the Press this week that deer farms had been targeted by Animal Rights groups. These people do not have much thought for the animals, let alone the people who tend to them.
The deer, which they released at a farm near Lanark, were old pets and in their freedom they were a danger to traffic and had to be shot.
We all sit at home in the belief that it won’t happen to me! Take another look at your security.
Are the doors locked at night, and are the padlocks good strong ones? These fanatics know no boundary. If it causes bother and publicity they will have a go.
Yesterday’s news told of how over 60 lobster pots had been damaged by animal rights activists in Stranraer. This group are known as Lobster Liberation Front.
Compassion in World Farming is stepping up its campaign to lobby EU Farm Ministers to strengthen the proposed broiler welfare directive.
The other threat from welfare comes in the form of EU hygiene rules.
The FSA are holding a ‘teach-in ‘ in Perth on April 20th to which I have been invited.
I hope then to be better informed about the inspections which are to take place of all egg-packing stations within the UK. Policing will be a key issue, and though it will be the EHO who will have the authority, I would have been better pleased with inspections carried out by members of the Egg marketing inspectors of the SE?
All packing stations in Scotland will be well known by them and each and every one of them will have had regular visits over the years.
Big Dutchman
I recently received some photographs from Chris Boyne. Chris will be well known as Newquip’s man in Scotland. Also, I believe, he’s like Gordon Brown, a great supporter of Raith Rovers?
The photographs which he sent me were of a recent installation of Big Dutchman’s A-Frame system for either free-range or barn systems.
Newquip Ltd, who are the sole distributor of Big Dutchman poultry equipment, has introduced an updated and improved version of the A-Frame, yes a well established product with a new and improved face.
During recent successful trials carried out in conjunction with Deans Foods Ltd in Scotland the results provided, enabled both conformity to the challenging perching regulations and equally as important genuine improvements to bird welfare and production results.
During these extended trials a number of adjustments were made in production as a direct result of the excellent input provided by all Deans staff and this has resulted in the installation of a number of complete houses, all of which have been fully approved. The benefits provided from the new A-Frame are simple, however effective, allowing birds excellent clear unrestricted access to all feeders, drinkers, nest, and scratch areas whilst allowing all personnel excellent movement in all areas due to the various arrangements available, which can be fully adapted to all locations and perching requirements.
The A-Frames are suitable for all types of production whether it be free-range, barn or mobile systems.
There are a range of various types of A-frame available all of which can be supplied with or without installation and all information is available from Newquip Ltd Scottish Area manager Chris Boyne on mobile number +44(0)7976 353745 or alternatively by calling Newquip Ltd Sales Office on +44 (0)1765 641000.
Bird Flu
Profiteering?
MSA is a huge multinational company that specializes in Protective Equipment. They develop, manufacture and market the widest selection of protective equipment available anywhere. One product, a mask, and shown on their Internet site, is intended for use in infection control. Approx 1 day of continual usage. Dispose of mask after leaving contaminated area.
They advise do not purchase DIY masks, surgical masks, or any other mask that does not conform to a minimum of FFP2 standard - they offer little to no protection to the flu virus. The FFP2 and FFP3 masks are the European masks which equal/exceed the N95 standard. It is illegal to sell N95 masks for use in Europe as they have not been tested to European standards. All available in larger quantities, e-mail us for details of bulk discounts.
This company are advertising on the Internet equipment etc with which humans can counter any risk of catching H5N1 virus.
They are offering sealed folded masks at £55.23 (inc vat) for 15. They add in their advert that these masks protect you against Bird Flu, TB and S A R S.
The media have carried many stories or guess-timates as to who is making profit from the fear of a flu pandemic ?
Vaccines
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- Initial testing showed the first U.S. vaccine against H5N1 bird flu virus is safe, but only partly protective, researchers reported Wednesday in The New England Medicine Journal.
The vaccine sparked a protective immune response in 54 percent of the 451 volunteers who got two shots of the highest dose, which is 90 micrograms of antigen, 12 times the use in the regular winter flu shot. The experimental bird flu vaccine sparked a slightly lower immune response in 70 percent of the recipients, but scientists could not determine whether such a response is protective.
Humans have never been exposed to the H5N1 bird flu virus, and it takes time for the immune system to ramp up to fight unique types of influenza, said lead researcher Dr. John Treanor of the University of Rochester in New York. The good news is that the vaccine seems to be safe, even at very high doses.
Another mystery?
More than 40 of the world's top microbiologists - many involved in bio-weapons - have met "untimely" deaths in the last four years
Is someone killing off these experts in advance of unleashing a new bio-weapon? The Hal Turner Show has learned that over the past four years, more than 40 of the world's top microbiologists have died suddenly. Most of these scientists were leaders in their respective discipline. Many also had involvement in the study of biological weapons. Many of these deaths were ruled "accidents." Others "suicide." Some of these scientists simply "disappeared."
What are the odds that so many people in such a small, specialized field would suffer lethal accidents or kill themselves in a four-year period? To my mind, the probability of such a string of deaths is infinitesimally small. If there's been foul play, who would benefit?
To my thinking, alarm bells should be ringing throughout
law enforcement over this. It seems to me there are only two possibilities with
regard to these events: Either someone is planning to unleash a "doomsday
bio-weapon." OR, these men have found cures to diseases that those who profit
from treating those diseases don't want released. More simply, it's either
someone with an evil plan or plain, old-fashioned greed. End.
There then follows a full list of the 40 microbiologists who have died and
under what circumstances
Egg awards…..and Hunt the Gowk
The BEIC / NFU Egg Conference of last week which was attended by Moira Henderson awarded their British Egg Awards to the successful marketers.
One winner, Fenton Farm Eggs, sold different coloured eggs in pink and blue packs. Now I didn’t t see any of their product but you can just imagine ‘ green shelled eggs’ in a shocking pink pack ?
But it is something like this that attracts the buyer. It would be something different. They would ask, “ do the eggs taste different ? “ Of course, go buy a dozen, and that’s them started.
Tomorrow is April 1st, and could have been a golden opportunity to sell those extra dozen eggs?
Run a wee campaign Hunt the Gowk. One egg from a total of say 360 could have had the word “GOWK” printed on the shell and the finder of this special egg could receive an award ? If you had sold 5 cases of eggs it would mean five prizes. Egg cups ? Egg timer ?
EGGs...haust EGGs...ray
Dennis Surgenor
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