Asia Pacific | Australian Min To Change, Delay US Beef Export Quota Plan Aust...

Asia Pacific

Australian Min To Change, Delay US Beef Export Quota Plan
Australian Agriculture Minister Warren Truss said Thursday he will modify slightly the plan covering the allocation of quotas for beef exports to the U.S. and delay its implementation to July 15 .

NZ official challenges legitimacy of LMA's suit against beef checkoff
The court ruling that the beef checkoff is unconstitutional is simply "a case of the U.S. livestock organization cutting off [its] nose to spite its face," according to a top New Zealand meat industry official.

China to require GMO health permits from '03-trade
SHANGHAI, June 27 (Reuters) - China's soy importers will not need Health Ministry import permits for genetically modified organisms (GMO) until January 1, although its new rules will be imposed on July 1, traders said on Thursday.

Biggest Beef Processor Furious At Inquiry
Under the Senate committee plan, all processors will have their allocations for the US reduced by

Europe

France Faces Beef Ban Deadline
France has been given 15 days to lift its ban on British beef or face further action in the European Courts.

EU to import more beef from Argentina, Paraguay
The European Union is set to increase by 10,000 tons, or more than 30 percent, the amount of Argentine beef that can enter the bloc with reduced tariffs.

Foot and Mouth False Alarm
FMD investigation in UK show the final results are negative.

Irish in Intensive Efforts to Reopen Beef Markets
Kuwaiti and South African veterinary teams are in Ireland and other delegations are expected soon.

Americas

Peso falls to two-year low against dollar
The nation's currency fell to 10 pesos to the dollar Wednesday, its lowest level since 2000, ending a two-year stretch of unaccustomed strength that had Mexicans calling it "the super peso."

USA

USMEF Receives $8.5 Million to Help Market Beef
The U.S. Meat Export Federation will receive $8,503,362 in Market Access Program (MAP) funding from USDA, the largest funding for any U.S. agriculture organization.

Bush Administration Remains Committed to Increasing Trade Opportunities for U.S Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick today reaffirmed the Bush Administration's commitment to open new markets for U.S. agricultural goods and announced the release of over $100 million in Market Access Program and Quality Samples Program funds to promote U.S. agriculture products overseas.

House Narrowly Approves Sending TPA Package to Conference w/Senate
One vote approved the rule allowing the conference

U.S. Agriculture Displeased with APHIS Exit from USDA
Bush plan to put the inspection service into the new Department of Homeland Security isn't a hit down on the farm.

Stepped Up Sampling
USDA issued new rules regarding the labelling of meat products derived from Advanced Meat Recovery systems.