Asia Pacific | China slow to open farm markets to trade - USDAChina's soybean...

Asia Pacific

 

China slow to open farm markets to trade - USDA
China's soybean imports for 2001/02 (Oct.Sep) are estimated at 10.4 million tons, down from 13.2 million in 2000/01. The reduction in imports has been attributed to new biotech safety certification requirements that went into effect on March 20, 2002. According to the regulations, all biotech products entering China would have needed safety certificates issued by China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

 

CHINA/INDONESIA: Indonesia bans imports of Chinese corn after FMD outbreak in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has confirmed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among its pigs in January, which has lead Indonesia to ban imports of Chinese corn.

 

Americas

 

Traditional Meats Rediscovered
Canadian processors are successfully promoting deer and elk meat as alternatives to beef and pork.

 

Europe

 

UPDATE 2-EU fines French farm unions for beef price fixing

The European Commission fined six French farm organizations almost 17 million euros ($18.41 million) on Wednesday for fixing beef prices after Europe's mad cow crisis in 2001, a move the leading union said would destroy it.

 

USA

 

US allows entry of new Argentine cooked meat cuts
The United States will give the go-ahead for Argentina to export a popular cut of meat used in soups, the Argentine embassy said on Tuesday.

 

Food Deadline Missed
WTO negotiators fail to reach and agreement on cutting tariffs, taxes, and quotas on food products.