Asia Pacific | Concern over New Trade RulesChina to implement labelling regul...
Asia Pacific
Concern over New Trade Rules
China to implement labelling regulations for wholesale meat and poultry cuts.
Genetic Database for Sheep Meat
Agreement reached for single sheep genetic analysis system in Australia.
FTC guidelines on beef labeling to also cover wholesalers
TOKYO, Oct. 2 Kyodo - The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) will extend its guidelines on retailers' beef labeling to also cover wholesalers in the wake of several beef labeling scandals by major beef suppliers, FTC Secretary General Akio Yamada said Wednesday.
Americas
U.S. reopens border to Mexican livestock
After months of tension, livestock producers in northern Mexico breathed a sigh of relief Sept. 30 after hearing the U.S. Department of Agriculture had approved the export of Mexican livestock to that country.
US trade official "optimistic" on Brazil prospects
WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - A top U.S. trade official said on Tuesday he remained "optimistic" about working with Brazil to forge a Western Hemisphere free trade pact, even if leftist candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wins the country's presidential election on Sunday.
Cuba's U.S. agricultural exhibit could generate $60 million in food sales
The photos of Cuban President Fidel Castro enjoying a U.S.-made cheeseburger and chocolate shake made newspaper front pages across the Western hemisphere last week.
USDA may lift ban on Mexican pork in absence of swine fever
The Agriculture Department is proposing lifting import restrictions for Mexican pork products from four states after finding no evidence of classical swine fever in pigs, according to a news release.
Funds to Improve Canadian Livestock
Canadian federal government supports expanding animal genetics information.
USA
Enmity Escalates in Port Talks
Union leader walks out of mediation and decries presence of armed guards.
Economists: Dock Battle Won't Have Long Effect
While the closure of 29 West Coast ports is causing trouble for individual companies, any economic losses should be made up after goods are moving again, economists said.
Zoellick Says U.S. to Begin Negotiations on Free Trade With Six Countries
FAPRI- USDA Livestock Aid will Lower Farmer Debt.
University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) says USDA's newly announced Livestock Compensation Program will have an impact on a farm's cash position for the next two or three years.
Grassley, Baucus on WTO Talks
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and ranking Finance Committee member Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote U.S. Trade Representative Bob Zoellick Monday that they are "deeply concerned" about the European Union's recent announcement at the World Trade Organization agricultural negotiations in Geneva that the EU has no immediate plans to submit a detailed negotiating proposal, and the EU statement that "progress" on "non-trade concerns," such as animal welfare, geographical indications, labeling, and the precautionary principle, must come ahead of other trade concessions and reduction commitments.
Veneman Announces Payments Of Nearly $1.6 Billion For Conservation Reserve Program
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that USDA will begin issuing payments today of nearly $1.6 billion to eligible producers under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
UPDATE 1-U.S. conducts mock foot-and-mouth outbreak
WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - In a mock bioterrorist attack, a U.S. outbreak of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease spread from just a handful of states to more than 30 within two weeks, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Tuesday.