Asia Pacific | Australian Companies See U.S. As Easier Market Than Japan The ...

Asia Pacific

Australian Companies See U.S. As Easier Market Than Japan
The United States is out-hustling the Australians in the Japanese market, so says Australia's Ag Minister Warren Truss. U.S. Meat Export Federation reports that Australian companies preferred to try and make quick sales to the United States following the BSE crisis in Japan. Foot and Mouth Disease in Korea
6,000 pigs are slaughtered in an effort to contain FMD outbreak.

Europe and Middle East

FRANCE: France refuses to lift ban on British beef 
French government official were last week quoted as saying that France is still not prepared to lift its illegal ban on British beef. Bush Outlines Vision for Middle East 
President Bush on Monday committed the United States to support the creation of a Palestinian state with provisional boundaries once the Palestinians elect "new leaders, not compromised by terror."

Americas

Mexico Temporarily Bans U.S. Chicken
Mexican authorities placed a temporary ban on imports of chicken from seven U.S. states, after the government reported cases of poultry infected with avian flu.

USA

Checkoff Ruling Favored by Farm Group
The Campaign for Family Farms, an opponent of the pork checkoff, says the beef ruling strengthens its case. Consumer Confidence Slides in June
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence fell in June, posting its largest one-month drop since just after Sept. 11 as a weak labor market and eroding confidence in corporate America took a toll on the relatively upbeat mood of Americans, a report said on Tuesday. Report: Cattle Feeders Value Premiums Paid Under Marketing Pacts
Survey finds that more and more producers are selling fed cattle under some type of marketing agreement.

Cattlemen Encouraged to Speak Up
Summer conference will give producers the opportunity to speak their minds.