Asia Pacific | Japanese Consumer Confidence Rises, May Lead to Increased Reta...

Asia Pacific

Japanese Consumer Confidence Rises, May Lead to Increased Retail Spending

Japanese consumer confidence rose in the second quarter, buoyed by optimism the world's second-biggest economy is emerging from recession.  JAPAN: BSE caused downfall of 64 companies
Credit research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd revealed yesterday [Monday] that according to its figures, 64 companies have filed for bankruptcy as a direct result of the outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan last September.

Americas

New Strategy for Canadian Animal Disease Outbreaks
New funding has been announced to develop a strategy to fight outbreaks of foreign animal diseases in Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said Monday.

Europe and Middle East

Foot-And-Mouth Response Criticized
Britain's government failed to understand the seriousness of last year's foot-and-mouth epidemic in its early days and moved too slowly and with too little coordination to bring it under control, an investigation of the outbreak concluded Monday. Italy maintains Dutch pork ban ahead of meeting
THE HAGUE, July 23 (Reuters) - Italy maintained a ban of pork imports from the Netherlands on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of European Union veterinary experts, the Dutch government said. Russia bans Mongolian meat on foot-and-mouth fears
MOSCOW, July 23 (Reuters) - Russia has banned imports of animal products from Mongolia as a safeguard against foot-and-mouth disease, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. USA/FRANCE: Bunge acquires Cereol, creates largest oilseed processor in the world 
Agribusiness giant Bunge Ltd has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the 55% controlling stake in Cereol SA, a leading French oilseed processor, from Italian energy giant Edison for €449.2m (US$444.3m) in cash.

USA

USMEF study finds beef variety meats key to added value of exports
While the Agriculture Department estimates that about 9 percent of U.S. beef production is exported, a new study indicates that 55 percent of beef variety meats are exported -- and at incrementally higher values than if sold domestically, according to a news release. Ag Approps Debate This Week
The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee are both scheduled to take up the fiscal year 2003 Agriculture appropriations bill this week. Health Panel Urges Irradiation of Ground Meats
In light of the latest recall of ground beef because of contamination by potentially lethal E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, scientists and physicians associated with the American Council on Science and Health today urged consumers to demand that such products be irradiated to prevent future illnesses. New Technologies To Battle Little Known, Widespread Cattle Disease
Purdue University scientists are using their breakthrough molecular research and other new technologies to slash diagnosis time in a battle against Johne's disease, a little known, usually fatal infection that causes $1 billion in U.S. cattle industry losses annually. About 12,000 Pounds of Meat Linked to E. Coli Bacteria Is Returned to ConAgra
Only about 12,000 pounds of the nearly 19 million pounds of potentially contaminated beef have been returned to the meat company in Colorado. USA: USDA, FSA withheld consumer research on irradiated foods during farm bill debate? 
The two federal agencies responsible for food regulation may have intentionally withheld from lawmakers critical consumer research that is compellingly contrary to several provisions in the recently passed farm bill about the labelling of irradiated food, according to US consumer group Public Citizen (PC).