Asia Pacific | Australia eyes farm, transport in U.S free trade talksAustral...

Asia Pacific

Australia eyes farm, transport in U.S free trade talks
Australia vowed on Monday to continue pushing for greater access to the U.S. market for agriculture, ships and auto products as officials began a fifth round of talks to hammer out a free trade pact by year-end.

BSE Subsidies Recovered
Japan claws back a third of the subsides paid to traders over beef placed in stored because of BSE.

Job losses in meat processing
Jobs in the country's meat processing sector have taken a sharp dive according to a new report by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Americas

Economist: Opening Trade With Cuba Would Benefit U.S. Ag
Kansas State University ag economist Barry Flinchbaugh says opening trade and tourism withCuba would benefit U.S. farmers and would help boost the standard of living for the Cuban people. The economist has returned from a five-day trip to the country, and said those in the wheat and dairy businesses may have the most to gain.

Canada Could Increase Border Access
Ag Minister is reviewing requirements to further increase access for importedU.S.feeder cattle.

Japan Threatens Tariffs on Imports: Tokyo Says American Protection of Steel Industry Must End
Japan has put the United States on notice that it will slap $85 million in retaliatory tariffs on American imports unless Washington abandons steel tariffs ruled unfair by the World Trade Organization.

Europe

Namibia Halts Meat Exports
Namibia stops exports of beef and mutton after E.U. inspectors find failures in hygiene controls.

Danish government prepares to enforce strict animal handling laws
Denmark, the world's largest exporter of pork, said Tuesday it would introduce new penalties including jail terms of up to two years for pig farmers who abuse or neglect their animals.

Sudden rise in U.K. B.S.E. cases causes alarm
Scientists are considering new checks on the cattle disease BSE after an unexpected rise in cases among animals supposedly free from infection.

USA

Bush to End Steel Tariffs, White House Official Says (Update5)
President George W. Bush may announce as early as this week plans to repeal tariffs on imported steel after the European Union andJapan threatened sanctions on $2.3 billion of U.S. goods.

Tests Show Salmonella In Meat And Poultry Products Declines 66 Percent
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that the rate of Salmonella in raw meat and poultry dropped by 66 percent over the past six years and by 16 percent compared with 2002. “The Bush Administration is committed to protecting the public health and improving our food safety systems,” said Veneman.”

Asia Pacific

Australia eyes farm, transport in U.S free trade talks
Australia vowed on Monday to continue pushing for greater access to the U.S. market for agriculture, ships and auto products as officials began a fifth round of talks to hammer out a free trade pact by year-end.

BSE Subsidies Recovered
Japan claws back a third of the subsides paid to traders over beef placed in stored because of BSE.

Job losses in meat processing
Jobs in the country's meat processing sector have taken a sharp dive according to a new report by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Americas

Economist: Opening Trade With Cuba Would Benefit U.S. Ag
Kansas State University ag economist Barry Flinchbaugh says opening trade and tourism withCuba would benefit U.S. farmers and would help boost the standard of living for the Cuban people. The economist has returned from a five-day trip to the country, and said those in the wheat and dairy businesses may have the most to gain.

Canada Could Increase Border Access
Ag Minister is reviewing requirements to further increase access for importedU.S.feeder cattle.

Japan Threatens Tariffs on Imports: Tokyo Says American Protection of Steel Industry Must End
Japan has put the United States on notice that it will slap $85 million in retaliatory tariffs on American imports unless Washington abandons steel tariffs ruled unfair by the World Trade Organization.

Europe

Namibia Halts Meat Exports
Namibia stops exports of beef and mutton after E.U. inspectors find failures in hygiene controls.

Danish government prepares to enforce strict animal handling laws
Denmark, the world's largest exporter of pork, said Tuesday it would introduce new penalties including jail terms of up to two years for pig farmers who abuse or neglect their animals.

Sudden rise in U.K. B.S.E. cases causes alarm
Scientists are considering new checks on the cattle disease BSE after an unexpected rise in cases among animals supposedly free from infection.

USA

Bush to End Steel Tariffs, White House Official Says (Update5)
President George W. Bush may announce as early as this week plans to repeal tariffs on imported steel after the European Union andJapan threatened sanctions on $2.3 billion of U.S. goods.

Tests Show Salmonella In Meat And Poultry Products Declines 66 Percent
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that the rate of Salmonella in raw meat and poultry dropped by 66 percent over the past six years and by 16 percent compared with 2002. “The Bush Administration is committed to protecting the public health and improving our food safety systems,” said Veneman.”