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DJ Livestock Update: Russia "Epicenter" Of Bird Flu-Official(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)MOSCOW, Apr 25, 2006 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) --TOP STORIES Russia Official: Country "Epicenter" Of Bird Flu -Reports Russia's chief epidemiologist said the country is now the "epicenter" of the bird flu virus and the nation was likely to see new cases this summer, Russian news agencies reported Tuesday. Venezuela Criticizes Colombian Ban On Meat Imports CARACAS (AP)--Colombia's decision last week to ban imports of meat and other products from Venezuela over fears of foot-and-mouth disease was "untimely," Venezuela's agriculture minister said. Tesco: UK Poultry Sales Hurt Slightly By Bird Flu- CEO LONDON (Dow Jones)--Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN) Chief Executive Terry Leahy said Tuesday that the bird flu has had a slight negative impact on the retailer's poultry sales in the U.K. Russian Pig Numbers +1.6% On Yr; Cow Numbers -6.5% On Yr MOSCOW (Dow Jones)--The number of pigs in Russia as of March 31 increased by 1.6%, to 14.2 million, compared with the year-earlier period, while the number of cows fell by 6.5% to 9.5 million, according to the federal statistics service. Mongolia Suburb Quarantined After Foot And Mouth Found ULAN BATOR, Mongolia (AP)--A suburb on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator has been quarantined after health officials confirmed that a sick cow died of foot and mouth disease. Anthrax Infected Pork Found In Kazakhstan - Ministry MOSCOW (Dow Jones)-A 94-metric ton consignment of pork, infected with anthrax has been found in the city of Semipalatinsk in the east of Kazakhstan, the emergencies ministry said Monday. STORIES OF INTEREST: Pigeons Not Seen As Major Bird Flu Threat -USGS Official WASHINGTON (AP)--Pigeons, more common than manhole covers in cities, aren't expected to bring the deadly bird flu virus to their metropolitan hometowns, a U.S. wildlife official said. EU Wants More Help For Poultry Farmers On Bird Flu Fears BRUSSELS (Dow Jones)--The European Commission will unveil plans Tuesday to continue sharing the burden of supporting European Union poultry farmers hit by falling chicken sales due to fears of the deadly bird flu virus in recent months. Union Official Faults US Airports On Stopping Bird Flu WASHINGTON (AP)--Homeland Security Department inspectors at U.S. airports don't have enough training to keep bird flu from getting into the country, a union official is charging, citing the handling of live birds found in the luggage of a passenger from Vietnam. US Agrees To Allow Imports Of Poultry Processed In China WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Next month the U.S. will begin allowing China to sell processed poultry to the U.S., so long as it isn't from birds raised or slaughtered in China, where the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu continues to be found. THE MARKETS: MARKET TALK: Most CME Bellies Weak After Multi-Wk Highs 1053 EDT [Dow Jones] - CME bellies are weak on profit-taking, spreading and technical resistance after spillover buying drove May and July to multi-week highs. May is up 10 points at 82.60 cents a pound and hit a 3 1/2-week top. July is down 7 points at 82.30 cents. The contract hit a three-week top. MARKET TALK: CME Hogs Flat Amid Erratic Spread Trade 1102 EDT [Dow Jones] - CME hogs are generally flat amid erratic trading featuring mild cash backing, spreading and downside buying support near Monday's lows. Meanwhile, June and July's premiums to CME's hog index spark periodic selling into rallies. June is down 5 points at 65.55 cents. July is down 2 points at 66.85 cents. CME Cattle Outlook: Steady; Another Open Interest Record CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Opening Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures prices were called steady, with traders watching beef demand indicators and waiting to see if beef packers would compete for this week's slaughter-ready live cattle supplies. -By Curt Thacker; Dow Jones Newswires; 913-322-5178; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires 04-25-06 1111ET |