AsiaPacific | UPDATE 6-U.S. wants "level playing field" in China tr...

AsiaPacific

UPDATE 6-U.S. wants "level playing field" in China trade
U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans delivered a no-nonsense message onChina's growing trade imbalance on Tuesday, saying the United States would not tolerate a "stacked deck".

Changing Market
Hong Kong government may close 10 per cent of wet markets.

Arab demand for Australian sheep remains strong
Demand for the live sheep trade remains strong amongst Arab nations despite the problems with the Cormo Express.

US takes China to task on trade
Speaking during a visit to Beijing, Mr Evans said China benefited from America's commitment to free trade without reciprocating.

Americas

Alberta Govt Develops Programs To Help Meat Processors
A new C$4 million Beef Product and Market Development program and a $400,000 Food Processor Assistance Initiative have been announced by the Alberta Government aimed at helping the province's processors deal with the surplus of cattle more than 30 months of age.

Europe

EU: EU delays vote on GM seed rules
The European Union has delayed until next spring a vote on the limits on the amount of genetically modified organisms allowed in cereal and vegetable seeds.

USA

UPDATED: USDA Releases Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Proposed Rule
USDA today issued the proposed rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program as required by the 2002 Farm Bill. Under the proposed rule, muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb and pork; ground beef, ground lamb and ground pork; farm raised fish and shellfish; wild fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities (fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables); and peanuts must be labeled at retail to indicate their country of origin.

USDA issues proposed rule for mandatory COOL; trade groups respond
After holding more than a dozen different listening sessions and discussions with more than 70 different trade and producer groups nationwide, the Agriculture Department issued the proposed rule for mandatory country of origin labeling as required by the 2002 Farm Bill.

USDA proposes to amend livestock mandatory reporting regulations
The Agriculture Department is proposing to amend the Livestock Mandatory Reporting regulations to modify the requirements for the submission of information on domestic and imported boxed lamb cut sales.

Nebraska pork producers oppose checkoff ruling
A federal appeals court ruling that the national pork checkoff program is unconstitutional (see Appeals court upholds unconstitutionality of pork checkoff, Daily News, Oct. 23, 2003) will affect Nebraska's pork producers, according to Rob Johnson, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

Pampered Pork
U.S. pork processor focuses on humane handling of pigs at its processing plant.

WTO Briefing at Convention
U.S. ambassador to brief AMI convention attendees on meat, poultry trade issues

Food labeling cost hits billions
labeling meat and produce with the country of origin will cost the food industry up to $4 billion in the first year alone, with part of the initial expense expected to hit consumers, the government says.

AsiaPacific

UPDATE 6-U.S. wants "level playing field" in China trade
U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans delivered a no-nonsense message onChina's growing trade imbalance on Tuesday, saying the United States would not tolerate a "stacked deck".

Changing Market
Hong Kong government may close 10 per cent of wet markets.

Arab demand for Australian sheep remains strong
Demand for the live sheep trade remains strong amongst Arab nations despite the problems with the Cormo Express.

US takes China to task on trade
Speaking during a visit to Beijing, Mr Evans said China benefited from America's commitment to free trade without reciprocating.

Americas

Alberta Govt Develops Programs To Help Meat Processors
A new C$4 million Beef Product and Market Development program and a $400,000 Food Processor Assistance Initiative have been announced by the Alberta Government aimed at helping the province's processors deal with the surplus of cattle more than 30 months of age.

Europe

EU: EU delays vote on GM seed rules
The European Union has delayed until next spring a vote on the limits on the amount of genetically modified organisms allowed in cereal and vegetable seeds.

USA

UPDATED: USDA Releases Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Proposed Rule
USDA today issued the proposed rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program as required by the 2002 Farm Bill. Under the proposed rule, muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb and pork; ground beef, ground lamb and ground pork; farm raised fish and shellfish; wild fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities (fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables); and peanuts must be labeled at retail to indicate their country of origin.

USDA issues proposed rule for mandatory COOL; trade groups respond
After holding more than a dozen different listening sessions and discussions with more than 70 different trade and producer groups nationwide, the Agriculture Department issued the proposed rule for mandatory country of origin labeling as required by the 2002 Farm Bill.

USDA proposes to amend livestock mandatory reporting regulations
The Agriculture Department is proposing to amend the Livestock Mandatory Reporting regulations to modify the requirements for the submission of information on domestic and imported boxed lamb cut sales.

Nebraska pork producers oppose checkoff ruling
A federal appeals court ruling that the national pork checkoff program is unconstitutional (see Appeals court upholds unconstitutionality of pork checkoff, Daily News, Oct. 23, 2003) will affect Nebraska's pork producers, according to Rob Johnson, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

Pampered Pork
U.S. pork processor focuses on humane handling of pigs at its processing plant.

WTO Briefing at Convention
U.S. ambassador to brief AMI convention attendees on meat, poultry trade issues

Food labeling cost hits billions
labeling meat and produce with the country of origin will cost the food industry up to $4 billion in the first year alone, with part of the initial expense expected to hit consumers, the government says.