China reports skin disease outbreaks in cattle due to virus

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-cattle-disease/china-reports-skin-disease-outbreaks-in-cattle-due-to-virus-idUSKCN24G1DK

• China is facing outbreaks of a debilitating virus in cattle that causes a condition called ‘lumpy skin disease.’
• According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, five cases were found during June in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian and the eastern provinces of Jiangxi and Anhui.
• “The local area has effectively dealt with this epidemic,” reported the ministry. Two cattle have died from the disease since its discovery.
• Lumpy skin disease does not affect people. Flies or mosquitoes, causing nodules to form on the skin, spread it. Symptoms include lower milk production and it is rarely fatal.
• Taiwan has also reported its first case of the disease this month.

World’s biggest meatpacker JBS bought illegally grazed Amazon cattle

https://news.mongabay.com/2020/07/worlds-biggest-meatpacker-jbs-bought-illegally-grazed-amazon-cattle-report/?fbclid=IwAR2t9Pl6OB6CU8RvPafgpUbWZnaFFDU4FwwM972Eb80hd1LP5KKgpodY1VU

• According to a new report published by Amnesty International, Brazil’s JBS contributed to human rights and environmental abuses in the country’s Amazon region last year by buying cattle that were illegally grazed on an indigenous reserve, as well as in two other protected rainforest areas.
• The report states that JBS bought cattle illegally reared on the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau Indigenous Reserve and the Rio Jacy-Parana and Rio Ouro Preto extractive reserves.
  • These areas were the epicenter of last year’s Amazon fires and a hotbed of Brazilian Amazon deforestation.
• Satellite images gathered in the first five months of 2020 have shown that in cleared areas there have been cattle present.
• The report is accusing JBS of cattle laundering on newly deforested conserved lands, and then later transferring those cattle to legal ranches before selling those cattle to slaughterhouses.
• Richard Pearshouse, the report’s author, feels that the findings are “the tip of the iceberg.” He feels that the Brazilian government needs to do its part by establishing strong monitoring and enforcement of laws.
• JBS responded to the report by saying that they do not purchase cattle from any farm involved in illegal grazing within protected areas.

Boxed beef prices

www.nationalbeefwire.com

• Choice boxed beef: $200.88 (-0.86)
• Select boxed beef: $191.30 (-0.29)