Asia Pacific | China to Raise Tariffs on U.S. GoodsChina will raise tariffs ...

Asia Pacific

China to Raise Tariffs on U.S. Goods
China will raise tariffs on some American imports, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, in a step that comes just days after a fresh trade spat sparked by a U.S. move to cap imports of selected Chinese textiles. (WN)

Australia beef and livestock in strong demand-MLA
Strong domestic and offshore demand is producing a positive outlook forAustralia's A$14.5 billion ($10.4 billion) a year red meat and livestock industry, marketing body Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) said on Thursday.

China Delegation Denies Cancellation of Ag Production Buying Trip
Washington consultant Jim Wiesemeyer has learned U.S. government officials still believe the Chinese trade buying delegations will come to the US China has denied the cancellation of a purchase delegation to the US, saying the trips have been "postponed" due to technical reasons, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said today in Beijing.

Australia-U.S. free-trade deal may be delayed
A free-trade pact between Australia and the United States may not be finalized as soon as had been thought, according to Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Apparently, talks have stalled in part because of Australian farmers' demands for greater access to U.S. markets, and Washington's concerns over Australian local content media rules, Australia's pharmaceutical subsidies scheme and Australia's strict quarantine laws. A final round of negotiations is scheduled in Washington next month. Howard said Australia would only sign the deal if there were clear benefits to be gained, although he remained committed to the deal in principle.

Positive Position
Australia’s meat and livestock association leader says the country’s $14.5 billion industry is ready to continue its strong growth.

Expansion Explored
Australia's beef industry is investigating ways of increasing its share of the South Korean market.

Americas

Older Canadian cows clog farms after mad cow case
After weathering six months of trade bans sparked by a single case of mad cow disease, Canadian farmers are struggling to find more profitable ways to put old cows out to pasture.

Canada Looks to Build Cull Plant
Study reveals BSE has cost Canada$2.5 billion. Alberta organization looking to find another avenue for older cattle with new plant.

Europe

EU self-sufficiency in beef hits 26-year low
Latest forecasts available from the European Union Beef Forecasting Group indicate that total beef production during 2003 is expected to decrease by more than 396.8 million pounds, or more than two percent to 16.02 billion pounds.

BSE hits Czech Republic 
Czech Republic officials are set to slaughter nearly 1,100 cattle due to BSE findings. Test results showed that a 4-year-old cow from a southeastern farm had BSE, the eighth confirmed case among cattle in the Czech Republic, said a spokesman for the veterinary administration. More than 200 cattle will be tested and killed, in addition to the 874 already condemned to death after a seventh case was discovered in late October. According to Czech officials, the losses will total some 50 million Koruna, or $1.9 million dollars.

USA

RPT-U.S. pork belly supply likely increased in October
U.S. frozen pork belly stocks probably increased in October as increased pork production and expectations of fewer hogs next summer likely encouraged meat firms to put more bellies in storage, livestock analysts said.

COOL Compromise
Congressman urges delay of controversial food labeling law.

Growing affluence could boost global meat demand
For people in many developing countries around the world, an increase in income would translate directly to more money spent on food, particularly meat and dairy products. A new report from the USDA's Economic Research Service indicates that a 10 percent increase in income in countries such as Mexico and the Philippines would result in 6 to 8 percent increases in food expenditures. That is in contrast to the United States, where the same boost in income would lead to just a 1 percent increase in food spending. The report also notes that demand for high-value foods such as meat and dairy is growing across all income levels in developing countries where staple foods, such as breads and cereals, traditionally account for a high percentage of food expenditures. These trends suggest excellent potential for U.S. beef exports as purchasing power increases for people in developing countries. For the complete report titled International Evidence of Food Consumption Patterns, go to www.ers.usda.gov/publications/tb1904/

USDA Announces Unified Food Safety Research Agenda
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced a unified food safety research agenda to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food safety programs. The research agenda is one of several key initiatives USDA is implementing to enhance food safety and improve food inspection systems.

Asia Pacific

China to Raise Tariffs on U.S. Goods
China will raise tariffs on some American imports, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, in a step that comes just days after a fresh trade spat sparked by a U.S. move to cap imports of selected Chinese textiles. (WN)

Australia beef and livestock in strong demand-MLA
Strong domestic and offshore demand is producing a positive outlook forAustralia's A$14.5 billion ($10.4 billion) a year red meat and livestock industry, marketing body Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) said on Thursday.

China Delegation Denies Cancellation of Ag Production Buying Trip
Washington consultant Jim Wiesemeyer has learned U.S. government officials still believe the Chinese trade buying delegations will come to the US China has denied the cancellation of a purchase delegation to the US, saying the trips have been "postponed" due to technical reasons, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said today in Beijing.

Australia-U.S. free-trade deal may be delayed
A free-trade pact between Australia and the United States may not be finalized as soon as had been thought, according to Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Apparently, talks have stalled in part because of Australian farmers' demands for greater access to U.S. markets, and Washington's concerns over Australian local content media rules, Australia's pharmaceutical subsidies scheme and Australia's strict quarantine laws. A final round of negotiations is scheduled in Washington next month. Howard said Australia would only sign the deal if there were clear benefits to be gained, although he remained committed to the deal in principle.

Positive Position
Australia’s meat and livestock association leader says the country’s $14.5 billion industry is ready to continue its strong growth.

Expansion Explored
Australia's beef industry is investigating ways of increasing its share of the South Korean market.

Americas

Older Canadian cows clog farms after mad cow case
After weathering six months of trade bans sparked by a single case of mad cow disease, Canadian farmers are struggling to find more profitable ways to put old cows out to pasture.

Canada Looks to Build Cull Plant
Study reveals BSE has cost Canada$2.5 billion. Alberta organization looking to find another avenue for older cattle with new plant.

Europe

EU self-sufficiency in beef hits 26-year low
Latest forecasts available from the European Union Beef Forecasting Group indicate that total beef production during 2003 is expected to decrease by more than 396.8 million pounds, or more than two percent to 16.02 billion pounds.

BSE hits Czech Republic 
Czech Republic officials are set to slaughter nearly 1,100 cattle due to BSE findings. Test results showed that a 4-year-old cow from a southeastern farm had BSE, the eighth confirmed case among cattle in the Czech Republic, said a spokesman for the veterinary administration. More than 200 cattle will be tested and killed, in addition to the 874 already condemned to death after a seventh case was discovered in late October. According to Czech officials, the losses will total some 50 million Koruna, or $1.9 million dollars.

USA

RPT-U.S. pork belly supply likely increased in October
U.S. frozen pork belly stocks probably increased in October as increased pork production and expectations of fewer hogs next summer likely encouraged meat firms to put more bellies in storage, livestock analysts said.

COOL Compromise
Congressman urges delay of controversial food labeling law.

Growing affluence could boost global meat demand
For people in many developing countries around the world, an increase in income would translate directly to more money spent on food, particularly meat and dairy products. A new report from the USDA's Economic Research Service indicates that a 10 percent increase in income in countries such as Mexico and the Philippines would result in 6 to 8 percent increases in food expenditures. That is in contrast to the United States, where the same boost in income would lead to just a 1 percent increase in food spending. The report also notes that demand for high-value foods such as meat and dairy is growing across all income levels in developing countries where staple foods, such as breads and cereals, traditionally account for a high percentage of food expenditures. These trends suggest excellent potential for U.S. beef exports as purchasing power increases for people in developing countries. For the complete report titled International Evidence of Food Consumption Patterns, go to www.ers.usda.gov/publications/tb1904/

USDA Announces Unified Food Safety Research Agenda
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced a unified food safety research agenda to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food safety programs. The research agenda is one of several key initiatives USDA is implementing to enhance food safety and improve food inspection systems.