Jul 28
2011

Ongoing concerns about a solution to the euro-zones debt crisis are likely to affect Hungarian central bank policy, the Monetary Policy Council said Tuesday.

The most important risk factor affecting Hungary in the short run is a possible prolonged euro-zone debt crisis, National Bank of Hungary Governor Andras Simor said at a press conference following the banks rate-setting meeting.

Future rate decisions, besides inflation, will from now on also be influenced by the ability of European Union decision makers to find a solution to the euro-area crisis, a release published by the MPC showed. Such a solution would decrease overall risk aversion and would thus improve the external risk assessment of Hungary, also a factor in monetary policy.

The comments led economists adjust their rate forecasts, with some now saying that Budapest’s rate setters could loosen policy earlier than expected.

Nomura economist Peter Attard Montalto said the MPC comments show the sensitive balance between factors for and against rate movements “could well be tipped in favour of rate cuts in the near future.”

Mr. Attard Montalto now sees room for rate cuts toward the end of the second half of the year “given a … lower risk post the euro [zone] summit, and inflation and growth both a surprise to the downside.”

Others, such as Erste Bank economist Zoltan Arokszallasi, still expect the central bank to wait until next year with cutting interest rates, saying this would also decrease interest rate differentials favoring the forint. This in turn have a negative effect on consumption because monthly mortgage instalments would become more expensive if the forint weakened further against the Swiss franc. This, naturally, would go against the original intention of boosting growth through lower rates.

The euro zone debt crisis, which drove the haven Swiss franc to new highs against most emerging European currencies, also hit Hungary hard, especially in relation to a high number of household mortgage holders indebted in francs.

In an attempt to allay fears that extreme franc strength may even affect the Hungarian banking system as a whole, Mr. Simor said the banking system would remain resilient to an even stronger franc.

Simor noted however, that prolonged franc strength could indeed be a drag on household consumptiondue to increased monthly instalmentshitting hard an area thats already in the doldrums.

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Jul 28
2011

Recent world events suggest we should raise our awareness for threats to our food system. For livestock producers, this means looking at biosecurity practices and activity for all foreign animal diseases (FAD). One FAD that is of particular concern is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). FMDis a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. It affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants. Livestock owners fear FMD beshy;cause it spreads rapidly and causes severe economic and consumer confidence losses, as well as internashy;tional trade embargoes. A quick response is vitally important to the livestock industries in containing an FMD outbreak and preserving markets.

Five things you can do:
Because FADs can have far reaching impacts, it is important for the livestock industries to develop an understanding of these diseases and plans to address them. Things you can do include: developing or enhancing your visitors policy, setting up farm gate biosecurity protocols, knowing the signs of FMD and other FADs, increasing surveillance and reviewing information about FMD and what may happen if an outbreak occurred. Such steps would reduce the risk of an FAD occurring and increase the success of a response to an outbreak.

1. Develop or enhance your visitors policy.Visitors can be a route of disease transmission onto your farm. Establishing a visitors policy for routine and non-routine visitors can reduce your risk from this route of disease transmission. A visitors policy states what is expected from each visitor while on the premises. A typical visitors policy might look something like the following;

The health and welfare of our cattle and the safety of the product they produce is of highest priority to us. To help protect our cattle and you, we have developed a visitor policy

  • Do not proceed onto facilities if you have been in another country in the past 7 days
  • If you are coming from another farm, we ask that you do not come in contact of our animals if your clothes are soiled
  • Sign our visitors log
  • Wear plastic boots or clean and sanitize personal boots
  • Please stay out of areas marked employees only or Disease Prevention Area (such as our calf housing)
  • Wash hands prior to departure
  • Enjoy your visit

It is important to communicate expectations and at the same time make visitors feel they are welcome, particularly if you provide tours for the public. There is a need to balance the openness of livestock facilities with appropriate, responsible biosecurity measures to reduce risks, knowing we cannot eliminate all risk.

2. Set up farm gate biosecurity protocols.Farm gate biosecurity is exactly what it implies. Biosecurity and traffic control at the farm gate. These practices will reduce the risk of many diseases, including FMD, from entering the farm. Some of these steps also enhance physical farm security. Consider implementing the following farm gate biosecurity plan.

  • A single driveway as entry point to the farm.
  • A single designated visitor parking area.
  • STOP signage at driveway entry, indicating that all visitors must check with management before entering premises andanimal facilities.
  • Signs and a guest book to screen visitors for recent visits to other farms and countries.
  • Boot disinfecting station(s), with instructions, plastic boots and a waste disposal container.
  • A foreign animal disease outbreak traffic control plan

See website at http://www.cvm.msu.edu/biosecurity for more info on setting up farm gate biosecurity protocols.

3. Know the signs of FMD and other FADs in your animals.Because Foot-and-Mouth Disease is such a dangerous and easily transported disease, it becomes important for those in Michigan agriculture to understand the signs in livestock. Should you see any unusual signs in your animals, including the following, contact your veterinarian.

Early signs of FMD include:

  • Drop in feed consumption and milk production of infected animals.
  • Elevated temperatures, especially in young animals.

Followed by:

  • Blisters (vesicles) and erosions/ulcers in the mouth, on the tongue, muzzle and lips, on the teats and around feet.
  • Excessive salivation and saliva that is sticky, foamy and stringy.
  • Lameness with reluctance to move
  • Abortions

4. Increase yoursurveillance(Be Aware).Surveillance for FADs is essential. Observe your animals daily for early signs of disease, including FMD. Train individuals and employees who work with animals to be observant of signs of illness. If someone notices signs that resemble those of FMD, call your veterinarian immediately OR the MDARD hotline at 517-373-1077 from 8 am to 5 pm or 517-373-0440 after hours OR USDA APHIS at 517-324-5290.

Thereare four aspects of an FAD outbreak everyone in the dairy and livestock industries should be aware of:
1. What to expect if a FAD outbreak is suspected in a herd.
2. What to expect once a FAD is confirmed in the first herd.
3. What to do and your role if an FAD outbreak occurs anywhere in North America.
4. Traffic control on your farm during an FAD outbreak.

Then: Self-quarantine the farm and immediately implement strict biosecurity practices to prevent any further spread. Quick action will reduce the impact of any FAD such as FMD on the livestock industry. Train your family, neighbors and employees to watch for individuals who look out of place or are doing something suspicious. Having individuals sign in, wear boots and/or nametags will deter many unwanted individuals from entering or walking around your premises.

5. Review information about FMD and other FADs and what would happen if an outbreak occurred. (Be Prepared).Even with this information many farms will need to begin a planning process which leads to a more structured way to view animal disease prevention and risk management. Further resources about a variety of Foreign Animal Diseases are available online from the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University and the OIE (The international animal health organization which monitors and coordinates animal health issues worldwide), including a list of countries free of FMD. If your farm is interested in setting up farm gate biosecurity protocols, information can be found at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Website, where a wide variety of biosecurity documents can be downloaded, including an FMD wall chart titled Foot and Mouth Disease – Prevention and Preparedness. This chart can be used as a training tool for farm employees and visitors.

Source: Dean Ross, Michigan State University Extension

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Trackback  •  Posted in Your Animals  


Jul 28
2011

HOLLYWOOD film director Michael Bay yesterday addressed a controversy over
product placements in his newest hit film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, by
calling them an amusing element to entertain audiences.

Bay, on his first trip to Shanghai, showed up before local movie buffs with
actor Shia LaBeouf and British model-turned-actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to
promote the sci-fi work yesterday. The film will be released in the Chinese
mainland on July 21, three weeks later than its debut in North America.

A lot of brands are featured in the movie, including several from China,
bringing some controversy after its media screening yesterday morning. The
46-year-old director noted that everything could be a product, and the Chinese
milk added some comic elements to the movie.

Of course Im not doing an ad for milk; Im doing a movie, Bay said. This
movie is not favored among the critics, but millions of people love it. I love
entertaining the audience. I hope theyll all have a great time at the
cinema.

Media reports have noted that 68 brands, including four Chinese brands of
computers, clothes, milk and televisions, were placed in the film, which has
brought revenue totaling US$400 million so far.

Lenovos computers serve as a backdrop in an office scene while the TV sets
made by Guangzhou-based manufacturer TCL Corp are actually a transformed alien
robot in the film.

The films protagonist wears Shanghai-based casual wear Metersbonwes clothes
during several scenes.

But the placement of diary giant Yili Groups Shuhua milk turned out to be
the most eye-catching and controversial among the soft ads. When the
Asian-American actor Ken Jeong is seen holding a carton of milk in an elevator,
he delivers the line, Im not talking to you until I finish my Shuhua milk.
There is also a close-up shot of the milk box showing the logo of the Yili
brand.

Some say that this line and scene is amusing and has shortened the
psychological distance with Chinese audience, while others consider it slightly
ridiculous.

Its really annoying, said Zhang Yiliang, one of the movie buffs who had
viewed the trailer. I love the Transformers so much, but the ads, especially
Chinese brands mixed in the Hollywood blockbuster, spoiled the movie and make it
like a joke.

Talking about his first Shanghai trip, Bay said he really loved the
architecture in the city and that he admires the culture.

One of my best memories is when I was a kid, I spent four months studying
Chinese history, he said. China has such a rich and amazing culture, as well
as a great history, he added.

Bay compared himself to the Iron Hide of the movie, who keeps moving forward
and never gives up. With more than 2,000 people involved in its shooting and
production, its a very complicated movie in his eyes.

Both Bay and LaBeouf said the movie would end their participation in the
Transformers series.

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