Asia Pacific | Australian Trade Min Doubts US Will Up Beef Import Quota Austr...

Asia Pacific

Australian Trade Min Doubts US Will Up Beef Import Quota
Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile said Friday he doubts the U.S. will increase its quota on beef imports from Australia , now set at 378,214 metric tons. China buys 109,900 tonnes U.S. soybeans - USDA
WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday that China, the biggest buyer of U.S. soybeans, purchased 109,900 tonnes of U.S. soybeans during the week ended May 23. Australia says higher U.S. beef quota unlikely
CANBERRA, May 31 (Reuters) - Australia said on Friday it held out little hope of getting the United States to increase its annual beef import quota.

Americas

Mexico to lift tariffs on Australian exports
Mexico has agreed to lift tariffs on Australian wool, lamb and coal exports.

Congress rejects giving water to the U.S., says border communities come first

Congress has issued a declaration saying Mexico will not provide the U.S. with water because of the drought that is affecting its own citizens in northern states, El Universal daily reported Thursday.

Europe and Middle East

EU sees China trade disputes 'irritant', WTO implementation needs monitoring
Trade disputes between China and the EU are "irritants" and should be seen in proportion to the total volume of bilateral trade and the two sides' overall relationship, said Dr Klaus Ebermann, EU ambassador to China. Conviction in Foot-and-Mouth Case
A pig farmer was convicted Thursday of failing to tell officials his herd had foot-and-mouth disease at the start of an epidemic that devastated Britain's livestock industry last year.

India, Pakistan Trade Artillery Fire Amid Diplomatic Efforts to Avert War

Indian and Pakistani troops traded artillery fire over their border in Kashmir, as the U.S. and Russia announced diplomatic efforts to stop the nuclear-armed neighbors from going to war. 

USA

Smithfield Still After Farmland's Beef, Pork Operations
Smithfield Foods is still after Farmland Industries' beef and pork operations. The firm made a cash offer for the businesses earlier this month, only to be rebuffed by Farmland. University of Maryland Professor Rides Herd on Good Beef
As Scott Barao scans a small herd of Black Angus cattle grazing in a field on the Eastern Shore, he pays particular attention to the details. Like udders. July Conference Focuses on Beef Genetics, Efficiency
Beef Improvement Federation schedules annual conference for July 10-13 in Omaha, Neb. New Footbath Design is First Step in Farm Bio-Security
Buy a case of disinfectant and Loveland Industries says it will throw in a footbath at no extra charge. Label Tabled
USDA reconsiders "Made-in-North America meat label. Rescue helicopter crashes on US peak
American television viewers watch in horror as a helicopter sent to rescue climbers on Mount Hood in Oregon State crashes.