Page 10 - Demo

JEV a significant concern
to Aussie pork producers
biosecurity measures. It is also recom- mended that those in care of horses put a hooded rug and a fly mask on their animals to reduce their expo-
THE Department of been no official re- to implement effective
Agriculture, Water and the Environment is reminding pro- ducers to remain vigi- lant as more than 60 piggeries across four states battle Japanese encephalitis virus outbreaks.
ports of the disease in horses.
The virus remains of “significant concern”, and state and federal biosecurity authorities have warned pig and horse owners that the zoonotic disease still poses risks to humans and animals.
Australia’s chief veterinary officer Dr Mark Schipp said that while government is working towards van- quishing the danger, producers will need to continue to put precau- tionary methods into practice.
sure to mosquitos. Severe cases of en- cephalitis – which means swelling on the brain – can be fatal to horses, and symptoms of infection include elevated temperature, jaundice, lethargy, an- orexia, incoordination, difficulty swallowing, impaired vision, and
To date this year, three people have died from the virus and there are more than 60 piggeries with infected herds across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
“Part of that means reducing mosquito in- festations.”
lethargy.
In pigs, unexplained
Within pig herds, abortions, stillbirths and infertility in adults are all consequences of JEV, while swelling on the brain remains the most prominent among horses.
Those working with pigs, including those who may have a small herd or pet, have been advised to take steps that control mosqui- toes while continuing
Japanese encephalitis virus is a nationally no- tifiable disease, which means if an animal is showing suspect signs of the disease, it must be reported to a veteri- narian or the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
To date, there have
“The best course of action is to try to avoid mosquito bites to your- self and your animals,” Dr Schipp said.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, in conjunction with key industry heads, con- tinue to provide pro- ducers with updated information regarding JEV.
abortions or stillbirths remain the tell-tale sign of a potential out- break.
Brothers Wesley and Joesley Batista are each worth billions. Photo: Paulo Whitaker, Adriano Machado
Brazilian butchers’ ambitious and aggressive growth in Australia
sumers are not familiar with the company name JBS, they may have heard of or purchased products from some of the brands that sit under the JBS banner, which are listed on the company website under JBS Foods Australia:
UNDER intense media scrutiny is global meat supplier JBS SA.
businesses in Australia – given the shady history of the company’s operations, its founders and how it sourced financial backing for its ventures.
want to feed the world’, the global expansion of JBS has been in direct contradiction to the hu- manitarian statement, having been fuelled by greed, corruption and bla- tant exploitation.
JBS Foods Australia is the biggest meat processor in the country, operating three of its four major pork abattoirs.
In 2017, JBS was investi- gated by Brazilian federal prosecutors.
And while many con-
• Aberdeen Black
It was found that the global expansion of the company was made possible only from the bribing of 1800 govern- ment officials, paying them $A212.26 million, and kickbacks to the then Brazilian finance minister for assistance in obtaining $A2.83 billion in equity financing from the Bra- zilian National Develop- ment Bank and its af- filiate.
Have the Australian Competition and Con- sumer Commission and Foreign Investment Re- view Board let Australia down by permitting the rapid expansion of the food production power- house with a questionable track record?
• Acres Organic Grassfed Beef
Grower Farm Manager
$100K per annum
CEFN Pty Ltd is a family-owned farming enterprise proudly celebrating their eighty-second year in the pork industry in Australia.
CEFN has grown to an operation consisting of over 8000 sows and progeny situat- ed across five sites in the Clifton/Leyburn area and one in the Yelarbon area on the Darling Downs in southeast Queensland.
Our facilities utilise some of the most up-to-date technology and building design, providing optimal conditions for producing market-leading animals.
CEFN is currently seeking an experienced Farm Manager to join our team and manage our Grower facilities.
This is an important position within the CEFN organisation and as such a salary of $100,000 per annum is on offer.
The requirements of this role include but will not be limited to:
• Demonstrating high-level understanding of animal management techniques
• Coordination and overall management of the daily operations of a large weaner to finisher farm
• Having a ‘hands on’ approach
• Showing commitment to maintaining welfare, biosecurity, training and quality assurance programs
• Communicating with senior management and consultant veterinarians
• Providing leadership for staff and managing their duties and rosters
• Achieving set production targets
• Herd recording and analysis of production results
• Monthly reporting on all aspects of the farm
• Attending and being proactively involved in management meetings
• Being physically fit and proactive to perform all aspects of the role.
• We consider our staff to be a vital part of our operation and we strive to assist them in achieving their own personal goals as well as those of CEFN.
• This position would suit a highly motivated and experienced individual who would achieve great satisfaction from becoming an integral member of a family owned and operated rural business.
• Situated within 65kms of Toowoomba and Warwick, the locations of our farms enables good work/life balance. Both
of these provincial towns offer a high standard of educational, recreational and shopping options. Brisbane is approximately 160kms to the east and both the Sunshine and Gold coasts are within reasonable distance for some vacation time.
If you believe this position may be for you, please submit a Cover Letter – outlining why you believe you would be a strong candidate for this role – and your Resume via email to admin@cefn.com.au with ‘Farm Manager’ as the subject, or contact 07 4697 3344 between 9am and 4pm weekdays to inquire further about the role.
Please note that only applicants who progress to the interview stage will be contacted.
• AMH
• Andrews Meat Indus- tries
• AussieBeef
• Beef City Black
• Beef City Platinum
• Byron Bay Berkshire
Pork
• Creative Food
In September 2021,
tions
• DR Johnston • Friboi
• Grainge
Solu- Grainfed
Victorian Country Hour
Angus Beef
• Great Southern
The BNDES is Brazil’s public bank.
asked Federal Agricul- ture Minister David Lit- tleproud, “Do you worry about the food system in Australia if a company of that kind dominates Aus- tralian food so much and then ultimately fails?”
Pin-
nacle
• Hans
• Hereford Boss
• Huon Aquaculture
• JBS Carriers
• King Island Beef
• Knox International
• Little Joe
• Primo Foods
• Pure Prime
• Queenslander Beef
• Red Gum Creek
• Right to Roam
• Rivalea Australia
• Riverina Black Angus • Royal
• Scott
• Seven Point Australian
To avoid bankrupting the company, founders, major shareholders and brothers Joesley and Wesley Ba- tista made a plea deal... after selling a substantial number of their shares.
“Well, that’s obviously what will be taken into account by the ACCC, the Treasurer and the FIRB,” Minister Littleproud said.
Pork
• Shiro Kin Wagyu
• Spring Crossing Cattle
The ABC program Four Corners has confirmed that the first two takeo- vers by JBS in Australia were fuelled by corrup- tion and bribery in Brazil.
Brazilian federal pros- ecutor Ivan Marx unrav- elled the money trail, con- firming that dirty money was funnelled into inter- national acquisitions.
Co
• Swift Australia • Tajima Wagyu • Tatiara Lamb
• Tender Valley
Angus
This does not inspire confidence from pork pro- ducers.
Authorities in Brazil are supportive of further investigations into JBS acquisitions in the Aus- tralian market and a col- laborative review between the US and Australia is recommended by US of- ficials.
Beef
• The Bachelor • Thousand
Guineas
As the major abattoir operator, JBS defines the terms of slaughter for many producers in Aus- tralia – when the slaughter will take place, which ani- mals, how many and what it will pay for the animal.
Shorthorn Beef
•Three Islands Tas-
The most recent Aus- tralian acquisition by JBS was Huon Aquaculture for $425 million, Australia’s second largest producer of farmed salmon.
mania
• W Black
• Yardstick Beef
Consumers are more often than not eating JBS prod- ucts if enjoying McDon- ald’s burgers, meat from Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, Huon salmon and Primo ham.
One producer has said: “It matters when corrup- tion finances anything... but do we have a choice?”
Currently, JBS pro- duce 13 million chickens, 100,000 pigs and 70,000 cattle daily.
In exchange for immu- nity for the brothers, the company paid a $A4.53 billion penalty.
“We’ve also got to un- derstand that this com- pany also employs a lot of Australians.
However, the brothers were charged with in- sider trading and ended up spending six months in prison and unable to manage the company for a two-year period, though they are still the majority shareholders.
“So, obviously we’ve got to get the balance right.”
Page 10 – Australian Pork Newspaper, May 2022
The media scrutiny brings into question the relative freedom with which JBS has acquired
From its altruistic begin- nings with the slogan ‘We
www.porknews.com.au
The company has a great deal of fingers in many Australian beef, pork, ham and salmon pies.
Those who grow to grass fed and free range meth- odologies are especially challenged when forced to work with a corrupt com- pany, it’s the opposite of what they’re about.
It employs 14,000 Aus- tralians, has 50 sites and an annual revenue of $A91.98 billion, and the JBS Australian operations are overseen by Wesley Batista’s son, Wesley Jnr.