HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's start off the year with a look at innovative technologies which can revolutionize livestock industries around the world. This is being implemented in Hawaii but commercial farmers in Namibia actually introduced something similar for slaughter of wild game. VERY INTERESTING! I view the abattoir as the nexus between animal and human health and the way forward to commercialize and add value to animal carcasses (which could filter down the value chain to producers). How it is funded? An initial $250,000 grant from the state Department of Agriculture served as seed money for the unit. Another $100,000 grant this year is helping equip and staff the trailer. An additional modular unit for cutting and wrapping meat will probably cost $200,000, Amado said. Capacity? The mobile slaughterhouse will be capable of processing eight to 10 head of cattle per day, 20 to 30 sheep or goats, and 15 to 20 hogs. The cost to the ranchers will be very similar to what they would pay if they took their animals to the island's two inspected slaughterhouses in Paauilo and Hilo. For more information read the article below: Mobile Slaughter Unit Designed for Small Meat Producers<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zpHcSVbXUmqa-SEnE-jkT8NKbRc974uWjwG0Z5Tur44eE73blD-V1AAC4GvpGoGLbK3YycacYVUnPjBB4r99TiRGJEOHibItprazAk6zK8Gvbze6pIn7i_0WBu8eLSBR739uQwxtj11l4RFwoWbDKIhU58UEF1aAyjpgqdALzPazKt8LzgRX-jCm1Q-lLvlc1iYBad95mIBIHREtjD7PYnAyMDjH8GkLpjYpOyHj92QbZqW3NEWWuNrEDQW0-08TINPHpkriOr_1U-D76sQhoVYh_jZx6k0kHEgnue1JdkfQDa0QH5qjdN5iO36UM2GjvbiF5_4sQGYUzJuLsoiXimpvcKU44bI5v0KSI3oCgCmcCjEqPFdhICvvg5F0eldTOUAm5SBXD2NY1dmS5KYF7FxjmfZy0jzd_UKmI2X39MVt7E_WAJRH403XcyRGbUGaLNgjBJzW8OlnS68np5q9EKLzfR7V8Cmib_Efs480BV7E3DdusKLIoObGjywNgN0skMdl5Ylt4S0GG2dBEiB83LEoMiBewO8iXI_NytbYk45f5yRZtJo7hDXaox1zhyZiweUiXYxCqK7oSlyRmfnDQw==&c=K1czAQR0gGhT8zrNOWJGZC4v89kEeTghFMQu4KYsjiFttjeY2uBykQ==&ch=WitlwMRh5A4aK8Fn4sdcEOaFZQh3KEt1ZBPqm5zrBFOY2OWfkZLEAA==> ALSO if you are interested in dialogue about livestock and climate change, the following article is interesting: Cut meat consumption to combat climate change? Bah, humbug!<http://www.norwalkreflector.com/frontpage/2015/12/27/Cut-meat-consumption-to-combat-climate-change-Bah-humbug.html?ci=stream&lp=6&p=1> The article references a November report by Chatham House, a London-based think tank, which lays out a blueprint to achieve a meat tax which can be found at: https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/changing-climate-changing-diets. Obviously many of us working in developing countries would argue that the poor have a right to increase meat consumption from low levels, especially since livestock is important to livelihoods in many countries. [cid:image003.jpg@01D147AD.93CFF9D0] Nancy Morgan Agricultural Economist, Investment Officer (Agro-Economiste, Chargee de l'Investissement) FAO, Sub-Regional Office for North Africa Tunis, Tunisia Phone: 216-71-906-553 (extension 233) Fax: 216-71-901-859 Cell: 216-98-703-269 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the Meat-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(Meat-L,SIGNOFF);