Asia Pacific | Taiwan reports less virulent strain of bird fluTAIPEI, Jan 15...

Asia Pacific

Taiwan reports less virulent strain of bird flu
TAIPEI, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan health officials said on Thursday they have uncovered a less virulent strain of the deadly bird flu at a chicken farm in central Taiwan, but say the case is isolated and poses no threat to people.

Trade Commitment Made
Japan and South Korea continue technical discussions over possibility of reopening beef trade with Canada.

Australia says aims to increase beef sales to Japan
TOKYO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Australia's main meat marketing body said on Thursday it would try to increase beef exports to Japan, which lost almost a third of its beef supply when it halted U.S. imports after an outbreak of mad cow disease.

Time running out for US free-trade deal -Australia
CANBERRA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Australia, hoping to seal a free trade pact next week with the United States, said on Thursday negotiations were stuck over sugar and other commodities.

FAO Calls for Probe of East Asia Bird Flu Links
Outbreaks of bird flu inVietnam, Japan and South Korea must be investigated for links that could show whether the disease spread through the three nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization said on Thursday.

Americas

Canada Temporarily Bans Downers From Plants Exporting to U.S.
Canada has temporarily banned "downer" cattle from slaughter plants that export meat to the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said the move is to keep trade open with the United States.

Europe

Increased GMO use inevitable -German farm minister
BERLIN, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Increased use of genetically modified organisms in food and farming inEurope is inevitable and the debate must move towards how to regulate, German Agriculture and Consumer Protection Minister Renate Kuenast said on Thursday.

Educating Pork Purveyors
Pork experts are touring British catering colleges to preach the versatility of pork.

USA

Fed's Beige Book Notes BSE Situation
The Federal Reserve's "Beige Book" noted improving economic conditions around the country, but mention of the situation with BSE appeared in the commentary from all of the districts reporting on agricultural conditions:

USDA's Veneman Dives Into BSE Issues In Interview
USDA Secretary Ann Veneman has had to spend a lot of time on the issue of BSE in the wake of the Dec. 23 announcement that the disease had arrived in theUnited States.

Wholesale beef sales up
Demand for beef is still high -- and rising -- as wholesalers bought the third-largest largest amount of beef in a one-week period since 1990.

BSE Questions Answered
U.S. meat industry group provides answers to questions from processors about BSE.

Decline in Meat Imports Expected to Yield More Job Losses
The trickle of meatpacking layoffs that began two weeks ago has turned into a small stream, with hundreds of Nebraskans now out of work.

Asia Pacific

Taiwan reports less virulent strain of bird flu
TAIPEI, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan health officials said on Thursday they have uncovered a less virulent strain of the deadly bird flu at a chicken farm in central Taiwan, but say the case is isolated and poses no threat to people.

Trade Commitment Made
Japan and South Korea continue technical discussions over possibility of reopening beef trade with Canada.

Australia says aims to increase beef sales to Japan
TOKYO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Australia's main meat marketing body said on Thursday it would try to increase beef exports to Japan, which lost almost a third of its beef supply when it halted U.S. imports after an outbreak of mad cow disease.

Time running out for US free-trade deal -Australia
CANBERRA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Australia, hoping to seal a free trade pact next week with the United States, said on Thursday negotiations were stuck over sugar and other commodities.

FAO Calls for Probe of East Asia Bird Flu Links
Outbreaks of bird flu inVietnam, Japan and South Korea must be investigated for links that could show whether the disease spread through the three nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization said on Thursday.

Americas

Canada Temporarily Bans Downers From Plants Exporting to U.S.
Canada has temporarily banned "downer" cattle from slaughter plants that export meat to the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said the move is to keep trade open with the United States.

Europe

Increased GMO use inevitable -German farm minister
BERLIN, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Increased use of genetically modified organisms in food and farming inEurope is inevitable and the debate must move towards how to regulate, German Agriculture and Consumer Protection Minister Renate Kuenast said on Thursday.

Educating Pork Purveyors
Pork experts are touring British catering colleges to preach the versatility of pork.

USA

Fed's Beige Book Notes BSE Situation
The Federal Reserve's "Beige Book" noted improving economic conditions around the country, but mention of the situation with BSE appeared in the commentary from all of the districts reporting on agricultural conditions:

USDA's Veneman Dives Into BSE Issues In Interview
USDA Secretary Ann Veneman has had to spend a lot of time on the issue of BSE in the wake of the Dec. 23 announcement that the disease had arrived in theUnited States.

Wholesale beef sales up
Demand for beef is still high -- and rising -- as wholesalers bought the third-largest largest amount of beef in a one-week period since 1990.

BSE Questions Answered
U.S. meat industry group provides answers to questions from processors about BSE.

Decline in Meat Imports Expected to Yield More Job Losses
The trickle of meatpacking layoffs that began two weeks ago has turned into a small stream, with hundreds of Nebraskans now out of work.