Asia Pacific | Severe drought to slash Australian farm exports | A severe dr...

Asia Pacific

 

Severe drought to slash Australian farm exports

A severe drought ravaging most of Australia's rural sector will slash farm exports by 13 percent this fiscal year, hurting the incomes of most farmers and slowing the nation's economic growth, the government's economic forecaster said Monday.

 

Europe

 

Russia's Meat Imports Growing
Meat imports to Russia break the $1 billion mark.

 

EU ministers to reaffirm ban on US beef hormones
WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - In a move that could worsen trade tensions with the United States, European Union farm ministers are set to reaffirm a ban on growth hormones used in U.S. beef, an EU official said on Friday.

 

European Union Proposes Cutting Farm Subsidies, Export Aid in WTO Talks
The European Union proposed slashing subsidies paid to farmers and food exports worldwide by more than half as of 2006, in an attempt to revive market-opening talks at the World Trade Organization.

 

Russia plans to step-up WTO entry drive
GENEVA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Russia plans to intensify its efforts to become a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) but does not want to set a target date for entry, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Monday.

 

Trade Laws with Poland Relaxed
European Commission and Poland agree to open up trade in processed food and drink products.

 

Turkey Knocked Off Christmas Perch
Research shows sales of beef have surged ahead of turkey for Christmas in the UK.

 

USA

 

EPA Set to Unveil Manure Runoff Restrictions
The Bush administration was expected on Monday to issue new rules requiring thousands of beef, pork and poultry "factory farms" to restrict manure runoff from feedlots and fields.

 

New Markets Needed
Beef group explores using meat cuts from bulls and cows.