Asia Pacific | China Agriculture Policy Draws U.S. Charge It Flouts WTO Farm-...

Asia Pacific

 

China Agriculture Policy Draws U.S. Charge It Flouts WTO Farm-Trade Rules

Bill Northey need look no further than the grain-pricing boards in his northwest Iowa town to gauge the impact of China's falling corn imports on U.S. farmers. 

 

Australia, Singapore open free trade links

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -- Australia has signed its first free trade deal in 20 years on Monday, sealing a pact with Singapore that provides tariff-free access to S$9.9 billion ($5.65 billion) of trade.

 

China is Trade Ally in WTO Talks
In the battle to cut ag tariffs, U.S. and China join forces as talks continue.

 

Russian Quotas Criticized
Quotas should be used as a last resort, the European meat manufacturers say.

 

Americas

 

US-Cuba trade grows despite restrictions

CANCUN, Mexico, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Cuban trade minister Raul de la Nuez said on Monday that Cuba contracted $250 million in mostly agricultural imports with U.S. companies in 2002 and that most of that has already been supplied and paid.

 

Europe

 

Russian Quotas Criticized
Quotas should be used as a last resort, the European meat manufacturers say.

 

USA

NCBA eyes lawsuit as possible remedy to EU ban
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association will discuss with other trade groups in coming weeks the possibility of forming a coalition to fund and pursue strategies-including lawsuits that would help force the European Union to overturn its ban on U.S. beef grown with growth promotants.

Dolly, Cloning's Poster Child, Dies at Age 6
Dolly, aged 6, was put to sleep by veterinarians on Friday after they failed to cure her of a severe lung infection.

 

Here's the Beef. So, Where's the Butcher
"Case ready" meat, which differs from traditional supermarket fare in that it is delivered, with its cutting, packaging and labeling complete, to stores in a process that has grown rapidly in popularity among retailers in the last 18 months.

 

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Regarding the U.S. Free Trade Area of the Americas Proposal
“The U.S. proposal marks yet another important milestone in pursuit of free trade for the Western Hemisphere. A Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) will boost trade and spur economic development throughout the region resulting in additional market access and opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and food companies."

 

Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman Regarding WTO Chairman Stuart Harbinson’s Paper on Agriculture
"The U.S. has proposed a bold and aggressive approach to level the playing field for U.S. farmers and ranchers. We have serious concerns that Harbinson's paper lacks harmonization and equity in both the market access and domestic support areas. In addition, the low level of ambition reflected in the approach to market access falls far short of the Doha Mandate, which calls for substantial improvements in market access. The perpetuation of inequities regarding the allowed levels of trade-distorting domestic support is particularly problematic.