Asia PacificChina, Brazil, Argentina to Discuss Soybean Quality to Avert Trad...

Asia Pacific

China, Brazil, Argentina to Discuss Soybean Quality to Avert Trade Spats
China's most senior import-inspection official is to visit Brazil and Argentina in a bid to resolve interruptions to soybean trade valued at about $3 billion a year.

Pork Plan
Australian Pork Ltd., the controlling body for the Australian pork industry has called for views and analysis over a draft Industry Restructure Plan.

Europe

Smuggled Meat Warning
The British government has taken the initiative to tackle illegal meat imports and the news has been welcomed by producers who have also warned that it would do little to deter professional smugglers.

Looking To The Future
The European Commission has cleared -- under the European Union’s Merger Regulation -- the proposed acquisition of the Brazilian pork and poultry producer Seara Alimentos, S.A. by U.S. meat processor and agricultural icon Cargill Inc. Although it has an impact in Europe, the acquisition poses no serious competition concerns.

Scientists play down possibility of BSE jumping species
In Europe, investigations are underway into reports that BSE or mad cow disease has jumped species.

Americas

Canada to expand slaughterhouses to absorb beef surplus
Four slaughterhouses in Ontario will be expanded at government expense to absorb a surplus of mature livestock brought on by the closing of the U.S. border to imported Canadian cattle.

Focus On Disease
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, avian influenza, and foot and mouth disease are to be central issues at the 17th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for the Americas. The conference will take place in on November 16-19 in Panama.

Sales Increase
Toronto, Ontario, Canada-headquartered Maple Leaf Foods Inc. meat processor reported 2004 third quarter sales of C$1.7 billion – a substantial increase from the C$1.3 billion in sales last year. In addition, year-to-date sales increased to $4.6 billion from $3.8 billion last year, due primarily to the inclusion of results from Schneider Foods, which was acquired on April 5, 2004, and high protein demand and prices. Excluding Schneider Foods, sales increased eight percent in the third quarter and three percent in the first nine months of 2004.

USA

Japan and U.S. Agree to Re-establish Beef Trade - Implications For Producers
There is considerable detail yet to be ironed out between the U.S. and Japan and it will take time to determine the final details and even longer to implement them. While some USDA officials announced that there would be U.S. beef on Japanese shelves in a matter of weeks, most analysts believe it may still be months away.

Asia Pacific

China, Brazil, Argentina to Discuss Soybean Quality to Avert Trade Spats
China's most senior import-inspection official is to visit Brazil and Argentina in a bid to resolve interruptions to soybean trade valued at about $3 billion a year.

Pork Plan
Australian Pork Ltd., the controlling body for the Australian pork industry has called for views and analysis over a draft Industry Restructure Plan.

Europe

Smuggled Meat Warning
The British government has taken the initiative to tackle illegal meat imports and the news has been welcomed by producers who have also warned that it would do little to deter professional smugglers.

Looking To The Future
The European Commission has cleared -- under the European Union’s Merger Regulation -- the proposed acquisition of the Brazilian pork and poultry producer Seara Alimentos, S.A. by U.S. meat processor and agricultural icon Cargill Inc. Although it has an impact in Europe, the acquisition poses no serious competition concerns.

Scientists play down possibility of BSE jumping species
In Europe, investigations are underway into reports that BSE or mad cow disease has jumped species.

Americas

Canada to expand slaughterhouses to absorb beef surplus
Four slaughterhouses in Ontario will be expanded at government expense to absorb a surplus of mature livestock brought on by the closing of the U.S. border to imported Canadian cattle.

Focus On Disease
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, avian influenza, and foot and mouth disease are to be central issues at the 17th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for the Americas. The conference will take place in on November 16-19 in Panama.

Sales Increase
Toronto, Ontario, Canada-headquartered Maple Leaf Foods Inc. meat processor reported 2004 third quarter sales of C$1.7 billion – a substantial increase from the C$1.3 billion in sales last year. In addition, year-to-date sales increased to $4.6 billion from $3.8 billion last year, due primarily to the inclusion of results from Schneider Foods, which was acquired on April 5, 2004, and high protein demand and prices. Excluding Schneider Foods, sales increased eight percent in the third quarter and three percent in the first nine months of 2004.

USA

Japan and U.S. Agree to Re-establish Beef Trade - Implications For Producers
There is considerable detail yet to be ironed out between the U.S. and Japan and it will take time to determine the final details and even longer to implement them. While some USDA officials announced that there would be U.S. beef on Japanese shelves in a matter of weeks, most analysts believe it may still be months away.