European Union

Egg production in the EU-15 fell sharply in 2003 due to an outbreak of avian influenza in the Netherlands and parts of Germany and Belgium, to 7,657 million dozen eggs compared to from 7,927 million dozen eggs in 2002 (5.07 million metric tons to 5.25 million metric tons). Over 55 percent of the table egg production in the Netherlands was lost. Dutch egg production fell from 657,000 metric tons in 2001 to 635,000 metric tons in 2002 and 463,000 metric tons in 2003. German egg production fell from 877,000 metric tons in 2001 to 868,000 metric tons in 2002 and 814,000 metric tons in 2003. By 2005 hen egg production in the EU-15 was still below 2002 figures.

European egg prices on graded loose large white eggs (Weser-Ems) are higher for each of the first 19 weeks in 2006 when compared to the same period in 2005. U.S. cartoned large egg prices in the Northeast were sharply stronger in January 2006 when compared to a year earlier, but prices have been irregular for the first 19 weeks of 2006, ranging from sharply higher to slightly lower to the corresponding week a year earlier.

Export Requirements for Russia

The Food Safety Inspection Service posted an update on export requirements for Russia on May 12, 2006. Documentation requirements were changed.

Effective immediately, obtain carbon set FSIS 9450-4 (03/10/2006), Veterinary Certificate for Export of Poultry Meat to the Russian Federation. *All certificates with signature dates after May 25, 2006, must be the 03/10/2006 version of FSIS 9450-4. The previous version (8/ 27/2002) must not be signed after May 25, 2006.* The last bullet point in Statement 4.2 regarding avian influenza has been revised in the new version. The new statement certifies that highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenic H5 and H7 serotypes were not reported in the state for the last 3 months. All states comply with this requirement at this time. A guideline for 9450-4 has been developed to assist in the preparation of this certificate.

This certificate has a preprinted certificate number and is a controlled document. FSIS Form 9060-5, Meat and Poultry Certificate of Wholesomeness should not be issued. If necessary, obtain carbon set FSIS 9450-4B (8/27/2002), Continuation Sheet for the Veterinary Certificate for Export of Poultry Meat to the Russian Federation. Single sheet versions of these certificates must not be used. Information about the U.S. government eagle watermark on these certificates is contained in Export Notice 2005-3.

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Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 16th May 2006