Asia Pacific | CHINA/USA: Chinese government approves Monsanto GM grain impo...

Asia Pacific

CHINA/USA: Chinese government approves Monsanto GM grain imports
US biotech giant Monsanto has said it has received final safety certificates from the Chinese government for the import of grain from biotech crops.

Japan confirms 10th BSE case
Japan announced its 10th confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which was found in an eight-year-old Holstein.

Australian beef prices, demand continue to increase in 2004
Australia's beef industry is expected to continue to improve throughout 2004, but prices will likely fall once international bans on U.S. beef are lifted, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.

Americas

USDA delays decision on Canadian live cattle trade
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Tuesday that it would reopen the public comment period for its proposal to ease a ban on live cattle shipments from Canada imposed due to that nation's case of mad cow disease in May 2003.

UPDATE 1-US "frustrated" with Mexico on mad-cow beef trade
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman on Tuesday criticized Mexico for being slow to reopen its borders to some American beef following December's discovery of mad cow disease in Washington state.

Concern Over GM Pigs
Canadian agencies launch joint action to control the release of genetically-modified animal material.

Europe

British “Bangers” Heading East
Exporters are optimistic that sales of fresh pork and other products toJapan will increase soon.

USA

BSE risk to US consumers "extremely small"-CDC chief
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said on Tuesday the risk of American consumers contracting a human form of the deadly mad cow disease was "extremely small."

BSE committee recommends more testing
A report submitted by an advisory committee appointed by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman recommended the agency expand its testing of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to cattle that die on farms and on those that are taken to rendering plants.

More Cattle on Feed
USDA finds that the number of cattle in U.S. feedlots on Feb. 1 2004was four percent larger than a year earlier.

Biotech taint found common in crop seed
Genetically engineered crops have become so widespread that much of the conventional seed sold to farmers for corn, soybean and canola contains trace amounts of biotech varieties, a new study finds.

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick Regarding China’s Approval of Final Safety Certificates for Key U.S. Agricultural Products
"This announcement is good news for American farmers.China is the top foreign customer for U.S. soybeans and cotton."

Asia Pacific

CHINA/USA: Chinese government approves Monsanto GM grain imports
US biotech giant Monsanto has said it has received final safety certificates from the Chinese government for the import of grain from biotech crops.

Japan confirms 10th BSE case
Japan announced its 10th confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which was found in an eight-year-old Holstein.

Australian beef prices, demand continue to increase in 2004
Australia's beef industry is expected to continue to improve throughout 2004, but prices will likely fall once international bans on U.S. beef are lifted, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.

Americas

USDA delays decision on Canadian live cattle trade
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Tuesday that it would reopen the public comment period for its proposal to ease a ban on live cattle shipments from Canada imposed due to that nation's case of mad cow disease in May 2003.

UPDATE 1-US "frustrated" with Mexico on mad-cow beef trade
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman on Tuesday criticized Mexico for being slow to reopen its borders to some American beef following December's discovery of mad cow disease in Washington state.

Concern Over GM Pigs
Canadian agencies launch joint action to control the release of genetically-modified animal material.

Europe

British “Bangers” Heading East
Exporters are optimistic that sales of fresh pork and other products toJapan will increase soon.

USA

BSE risk to US consumers "extremely small"-CDC chief
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said on Tuesday the risk of American consumers contracting a human form of the deadly mad cow disease was "extremely small."

BSE committee recommends more testing
A report submitted by an advisory committee appointed by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman recommended the agency expand its testing of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to cattle that die on farms and on those that are taken to rendering plants.

More Cattle on Feed
USDA finds that the number of cattle in U.S. feedlots on Feb. 1 2004was four percent larger than a year earlier.

Biotech taint found common in crop seed
Genetically engineered crops have become so widespread that much of the conventional seed sold to farmers for corn, soybean and canola contains trace amounts of biotech varieties, a new study finds.

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick Regarding China’s Approval of Final Safety Certificates for Key U.S. Agricultural Products
"This announcement is good news for American farmers.China is the top foreign customer for U.S. soybeans and cotton."