Asia Pacific | Japanese Wary of Economic ReformsMany people are cynical about...

Asia Pacific

Japanese Wary of Economic Reforms
Many people are cynical about the prospects for systemic change and unsure the benefits of the reforms will really be worth the sacrifices.

 

Europe

 

Europeans Fail to Agree on New Biotech Rules
One official notes that the march to high-tech crops is inevitable, but will take longer.

 

Go-ahead for Burger King Deal
European Commission clears acquisition of Burger King by US investors TPG III, Goldman Sachs and Bain Capital Investors.

 

Americas

 

Leading Canadian meat processor installs first North American RFID system
Quebec's agro-food processing industry leader, Groupe Brochu, is incorporating trace-back capabilities by using what it calls a reliable and innovative method for tracing the animals that enter its production process. Allowing Groupe Brochu to assure its consumers of the origins of its products, the new concept has already been implanted in two of its affiliates, Salaisons Brochu and Lafleur.

 

New BSE Cases in Spain
Spanish agriculture ministry records the 97th case of BSE this year.

 

USA

 

Beef Checkoff Budget Spends $57 Million
The national mandatory Beef Checkoff remains controversial with many in the cattle industry. It should be noted that the Beef Promotion Operating Committee has approved a budget which spends $57.3 million of beef checkoff monies for promotion, research and information programs during fiscal 2003, which began Oct. 1, 2002.

 

Groups Blame USDA for Meat Illness
A listeria outbreak and a recall of 27 million pounds of poultry meats could have been prevented if the Agriculture Department required companies to test for the bacteria, consumer groups say.

 

US consumer groups blame Bush for large meat recalls
WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer advocates on Monday blamed an "industry-friendly" Bush administration for a series of meat recalls on an unprecedented scale this summer, saying hundreds have fallen ill because Washington eased food safety standards.

 

USA: FMI and AMI lend US support to fight against origin labeling for meat 

The American Meat Institute (AMI) and the US Food Marketing Institute (FMI) have added their voices to a campaign to stave off proposed legislation to introduce country of origin labeling laws on meat products.

 

Veneman announces Lamb Board appointments

Thirteen people have been appointed to the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board, according to Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman.