Asia Pacific | Cheney presses Japan on beef disputeTOKYO, April 12 (Reuters) ...

Asia Pacific

Cheney presses Japan on beef dispute
TOKYO, April 12 (Reuters) - Under pressure from U.S. lawmakers, Vice President Dick Cheney raised the thorny issue of Japan's ban on U.S. beef in talks in Tokyo on Monday, U.S. officials said.

Chinese farmers report possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Sheep farmers in the northern border regions of China's Inner Mongolia have reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, according to reports by Radio Free Asia.

Americas

Mexico to accept more U.S. beef products-USDA
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - More American beef products will be allowed into Mexico, further easing its trade restrictions imposed because of mad cow concerns, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.

Mexico Expands Market Access To U.S. Beef Exports
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman: "The reopening of the Mexican market to more beef products is a very positive signal that the North American market for beef is returning to normal."

USA

USDA's Veneman picks mad cow expert to head APHIS
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman on Friday appointed Ron DeHaven, USDA's chief veterinarian and main spokesman during the mad cow crisis, to head the department's animal and plant health agency.

Trade associations relieved by USDA's Creekstone decision
The meat industry's trade associations, which have not supported Creekstone Farms' proposal to test for BSE all the cattle it kills for its branded Black Angus product, stood behind USDA's refusal to allow the Arkansas City, Kan.-based processor to move ahead with its plan.

Testing Fight Planned
Creekstone Farms said it plans to challenge USDA's decision to prohibit private BSE testing.

Asia Pacific

Cheney presses Japan on beef dispute
TOKYO, April 12 (Reuters) - Under pressure from U.S. lawmakers, Vice President Dick Cheney raised the thorny issue of Japan's ban on U.S. beef in talks in Tokyo on Monday, U.S. officials said.

Chinese farmers report possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Sheep farmers in the northern border regions of China's Inner Mongolia have reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, according to reports by Radio Free Asia.

Americas

Mexico to accept more U.S. beef products-USDA
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - More American beef products will be allowed into Mexico, further easing its trade restrictions imposed because of mad cow concerns, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.

Mexico Expands Market Access To U.S. Beef Exports
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman: "The reopening of the Mexican market to more beef products is a very positive signal that the North American market for beef is returning to normal."

USA

USDA's Veneman picks mad cow expert to head APHIS
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman on Friday appointed Ron DeHaven, USDA's chief veterinarian and main spokesman during the mad cow crisis, to head the department's animal and plant health agency.

Trade associations relieved by USDA's Creekstone decision
The meat industry's trade associations, which have not supported Creekstone Farms' proposal to test for BSE all the cattle it kills for its branded Black Angus product, stood behind USDA's refusal to allow the Arkansas City, Kan.-based processor to move ahead with its plan.

Testing Fight Planned
Creekstone Farms said it plans to challenge USDA's decision to prohibit private BSE testing.