Asia Pacific | Australia defends safeguards in U.S. trade dealCANBERRA, Marc...

Asia Pacific

Australia defends safeguards in U.S. trade deal
CANBERRA, March 4 (Reuters) - Australia has defended its decision to accept U.S. safeguards on beef and horticulture exports, which were revealed when the government released the text of a free trade deal between the two nations on Thursday.

Ebb and Flow of Exports
Australia sets a record for February beef exports to Japan while exports to Korea slip by 72 percent.

Export Value Down
The value of Australian beef exports drops in several areas in 2003.

Americas

CME cattle seen higher on Mexico lifting beef ban
CHICAGO, March 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were expected to open 0.500 cent to 1.500 cent per lb higher Thursday, while feeder cattle were called 0.250 cent to 0.500 cent higher, livestock analysts said.

UPDATE 2-Mexico allows most U.S. beef after mad cow scare
MEXICO CITY, March 3 (Reuters) - Mexico's government said on Wednesday it would re-open its borders to most of the U.S. beef imports that had been banned for 10 weeks following a mad cow scare in the United States.

USDA: Mexico to Resume Beef Trade
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Agriculture sent this news release out relating to the resumption of beef trade withMexico.

MEXICO/USA: Mexico eases ban on imports of US beef
Mexico has eased its ban on imports of US beef, allowing shipments of boneless meat from animals less than 30 months old and veal from animals less than nine months old.

Mexico announces partial lift of U.S. beef ban
The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture announced Wednesday night that it would reopen its borders toU.S. boneless beef from animals less than 30 months of age.

Beef Ban Relaxed
Mexico has partially lifted its ban on U.S. beef exports allowing boneless beef to be imported.

USA

Statement By Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Regarding the Resumption of Beef Trade with Mexico
"I am very pleased that today Secretary Javier Usabiaga ofMexico is announcing that he is reopening the border to U.S. beef products."

USDA's Inspector General says BSE probe in "early" stages
In testimony Wednesday before a Congressional subcommittee, USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong said a criminal investigation into allegations that documents were falsified in declaring a BSE-positive Holstein cow was a downer was in its early stages, and Fong declined to say whether her office has so far identified any targets in its criminal probe.

Iowa legislature gives go ahead to state checkoff
If the national beef checkoff is forced to shut down, an Iowacheckoff program would start up, under legislation approved by the Iowa House Agriculture Committee last week, Agri News reported.

Asia Pacific

Australia defends safeguards in U.S. trade deal
CANBERRA, March 4 (Reuters) - Australia has defended its decision to accept U.S. safeguards on beef and horticulture exports, which were revealed when the government released the text of a free trade deal between the two nations on Thursday.

Ebb and Flow of Exports
Australia sets a record for February beef exports to Japan while exports to Korea slip by 72 percent.

Export Value Down
The value of Australian beef exports drops in several areas in 2003.

Americas

CME cattle seen higher on Mexico lifting beef ban
CHICAGO, March 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were expected to open 0.500 cent to 1.500 cent per lb higher Thursday, while feeder cattle were called 0.250 cent to 0.500 cent higher, livestock analysts said.

UPDATE 2-Mexico allows most U.S. beef after mad cow scare
MEXICO CITY, March 3 (Reuters) - Mexico's government said on Wednesday it would re-open its borders to most of the U.S. beef imports that had been banned for 10 weeks following a mad cow scare in the United States.

USDA: Mexico to Resume Beef Trade
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Agriculture sent this news release out relating to the resumption of beef trade withMexico.

MEXICO/USA: Mexico eases ban on imports of US beef
Mexico has eased its ban on imports of US beef, allowing shipments of boneless meat from animals less than 30 months old and veal from animals less than nine months old.

Mexico announces partial lift of U.S. beef ban
The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture announced Wednesday night that it would reopen its borders toU.S. boneless beef from animals less than 30 months of age.

Beef Ban Relaxed
Mexico has partially lifted its ban on U.S. beef exports allowing boneless beef to be imported.

USA

Statement By Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Regarding the Resumption of Beef Trade with Mexico
"I am very pleased that today Secretary Javier Usabiaga ofMexico is announcing that he is reopening the border to U.S. beef products."

USDA's Inspector General says BSE probe in "early" stages
In testimony Wednesday before a Congressional subcommittee, USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong said a criminal investigation into allegations that documents were falsified in declaring a BSE-positive Holstein cow was a downer was in its early stages, and Fong declined to say whether her office has so far identified any targets in its criminal probe.

Iowa legislature gives go ahead to state checkoff
If the national beef checkoff is forced to shut down, an Iowacheckoff program would start up, under legislation approved by the Iowa House Agriculture Committee last week, Agri News reported.