Asia PacificTalks to reopen U.S.-Japan beef trade could go this weekJapan and...

Asia Pacific

Talks to reopen U.S.-Japan beef trade could go this week
Japan and the United States will hold expert-level talks on beef trade as early as this week, which a senior Japanese official said yesterday could pave the way for Tokyo to lift a ban on U.S. beef re-imposed in January because of renewed mad-cow disease fears.

Japan okays five Canadian beef plants
The Japanese government announced that five Canadian beef-processing plants are operating in compliance with conditions for beef exports to Japan, relays the Kyodo news agency.

Nakagawa takes hard line on U.S. beef
Speaking to The Financial Times on Tuesday, Japanese Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa drew a line in the sand on reopening the Japanese market to U.S. beef in the wake of a shipment that contained banned, but safe, bones.

Americas

Canadian beef to Japan, slow go
The clean bill of health given to Canadian meat-packing plants by BSE-wary Japanese inspectors counts for little until beef bans are lifted, says a cattle industry spokesman.

USA

South Korea expected to accept USDA assurances on BSE cow
South Korea is certain to accept U.S. assurances that the latest case of mad-cow disease in the U.S. isn't a result of weak cattle-feed safety measures, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Tuesday.

2006 survey reveals retail meat-buying trends
During a presentation at the 2006 Annual Meat Conference, hosted this past week by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, results of a consumer survey titled: "Pleased to Meat You – An In-depth Look at Meat Through the Shoppers’ Eyes," gave retailers and processors a snapshot of consumption trends and overall consumer behavior at the meatcase.

Harkin commends USDA on soybean rust, says more can be done
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining the USDA's defenses against Asian Soybean Rust.

Asia Pacific

Talks to reopen U.S.-Japan beef trade could go this week
Japan and the United States will hold expert-level talks on beef trade as early as this week, which a senior Japanese official said yesterday could pave the way for Tokyo to lift a ban on U.S. beef re-imposed in January because of renewed mad-cow disease fears.

Japan okays five Canadian beef plants
The Japanese government announced that five Canadian beef-processing plants are operating in compliance with conditions for beef exports to Japan, relays the Kyodo news agency.

Nakagawa takes hard line on U.S. beef
Speaking to The Financial Times on Tuesday, Japanese Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa drew a line in the sand on reopening the Japanese market to U.S. beef in the wake of a shipment that contained banned, but safe, bones.

Americas

Canadian beef to Japan, slow go
The clean bill of health given to Canadian meat-packing plants by BSE-wary Japanese inspectors counts for little until beef bans are lifted, says a cattle industry spokesman.

USA

South Korea expected to accept USDA assurances on BSE cow
South Korea is certain to accept U.S. assurances that the latest case of mad-cow disease in the U.S. isn't a result of weak cattle-feed safety measures, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Tuesday.

2006 survey reveals retail meat-buying trends
During a presentation at the 2006 Annual Meat Conference, hosted this past week by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, results of a consumer survey titled: "Pleased to Meat You – An In-depth Look at Meat Through the Shoppers’ Eyes," gave retailers and processors a snapshot of consumption trends and overall consumer behavior at the meatcase.

Harkin commends USDA on soybean rust, says more can be done
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining the USDA's defenses against Asian Soybean Rust.