Asia Pacific | Australia drought keeps cattle in feedlotsThe Australian droug...
Asia Pacific
Australia drought keeps cattle in feedlots
The Australian drought is keeping the number of cattle in feedlots at a high level, the Australian Lot Feeders' Association said on Thursday.
China economy still seen competitive despite SARS
From empty shops to a sparsely attended trade fair, SARS is eating away at China's economic growth, but there are few signs yet that it is gnawing at the foundation of the world's sixth-biggest economy.
JAPAN: Nippon Meat Packers forecasts full-year profit
Beleaguered Japanese meat processor Nippon Meat Packers has said it now expects a group net profit of ¥4.4bn (US$121.4m) for the fiscal year to March, compared with a previous forecast for a loss of ¥1bn.
Success for Meat Standards Australia
Potential for MSA to go global after successful Korean trial.
Beef 2003 expo begins
Vegetarians should give the central Queensland city of Rockhampton a wide berth this week. Thousands of people from Australia and overseas have descended on the national beef capital for its triennial expo, Beef 2003.
Americas
No changes wanted to Mexican beef trade
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association's chief economist Gregg Doud recently met with U.S. and Mexican trade officials in Mexico City concerning the status of pending Mexican beef trade issues. With major elections coming in Mexico this July, there is concern that beef exports, imports and other agriculture issues will be pulled into the political crossfire. In the meetings, Mexican government officials neither confirmed nor denied that any trade dispute related to beef was forthcoming. The tariff rate on beef trade between the U.S. And Mexico has been zero since 1994. But, a very high tariff is currently imposed on a select number of U.S. Companies exporting beef to Mexico. Mexico continues to be an important and growing market for U.S. Beef products. For more details, go to www.beef.org
South American's still love their beef
South American's love their beef; in fact Argentineans consume nearly 60 kilos per head, Uruguayans consume 55kg per capita, followed by Brazilians and Australians at 35 kg and Chileans 23kg.
Europe
Russia official seeks strong US trade ties post Iraq
A senior Russian official arrived in Washington on Wednesday in hopes of ending friction with the Bush administration over Moscow's opposition to the U.S.-led war on Iraq.
USA
USDA does not support COOL
The USDA does not support the mandatory country-of-origin-labeling law because of the burden it will place on producers, packers and retailers. In addition, potential adverse affects on trade and unintended consequences could arise, according to Bill Hawks, the USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Hawks told the Senate Agriculture Committee's marketing subcommittee at a hearing in Joplin, Mo., that the USDA would carry out the law to the best of it abilities, regardless of the final outcome. However, it's clear that he and others within the USDA oppose the law. Within the past week, support for a repeal of the COOL law has gained significant momentum. Many now believe it could happen before the mandatory provisions take effect Sept. 30, 2004. Of major concern regarding COOL is that chicken is not included in the requirements and that food service establishments, which sell more than 50 percent of the beef purchased in the United States, are specifically excluded from the labeling requirements. — G.H.
Asia Pacific
Australia drought keeps cattle in feedlots
The Australian drought is keeping the number of cattle in feedlots at a high level, the Australian Lot Feeders' Association said on Thursday.
China economy still seen competitive despite SARS
From empty shops to a sparsely attended trade fair, SARS is eating away at China's economic growth, but there are few signs yet that it is gnawing at the foundation of the world's sixth-biggest economy.
JAPAN: Nippon Meat Packers forecasts full-year profit
Beleaguered Japanese meat processor Nippon Meat Packers has said it now expects a group net profit of ¥4.4bn (US$121.4m) for the fiscal year to March, compared with a previous forecast for a loss of ¥1bn.
Success for Meat Standards Australia
Potential for MSA to go global after successful Korean trial.
Beef 2003 expo begins
Vegetarians should give the central Queensland city of Rockhampton a wide berth this week. Thousands of people from Australia and overseas have descended on the national beef capital for its triennial expo, Beef 2003.
Americas
No changes wanted to Mexican beef trade
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association's chief economist Gregg Doud recently met with U.S. and Mexican trade officials in Mexico City concerning the status of pending Mexican beef trade issues. With major elections coming in Mexico this July, there is concern that beef exports, imports and other agriculture issues will be pulled into the political crossfire. In the meetings, Mexican government officials neither confirmed nor denied that any trade dispute related to beef was forthcoming. The tariff rate on beef trade between the U.S. And Mexico has been zero since 1994. But, a very high tariff is currently imposed on a select number of U.S. Companies exporting beef to Mexico. Mexico continues to be an important and growing market for U.S. Beef products. For more details, go to www.beef.org
South American's still love their beef
South American's love their beef; in fact Argentineans consume nearly 60 kilos per head, Uruguayans consume 55kg per capita, followed by Brazilians and Australians at 35 kg and Chileans 23kg.
Europe
Russia official seeks strong US trade ties post Iraq
A senior Russian official arrived in Washington on Wednesday in hopes of ending friction with the Bush administration over Moscow's opposition to the U.S.-led war on Iraq.
USA
USDA does not support COOL
The USDA does not support the mandatory country-of-origin-labeling law because of the burden it will place on producers, packers and retailers. In addition, potential adverse affects on trade and unintended consequences could arise, according to Bill Hawks, the USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Hawks told the Senate Agriculture Committee's marketing subcommittee at a hearing in Joplin, Mo., that the USDA would carry out the law to the best of it abilities, regardless of the final outcome. However, it's clear that he and others within the USDA oppose the law. Within the past week, support for a repeal of the COOL law has gained significant momentum. Many now believe it could happen before the mandatory provisions take effect Sept. 30, 2004. Of major concern regarding COOL is that chicken is not included in the requirements and that food service establishments, which sell more than 50 percent of the beef purchased in the United States, are specifically excluded from the labeling requirements. — G.H.