Europe | French Ease Lamb Export RulesFrance has ease regulations that would ...
Europe
France has ease regulations that would have called for the removal of spinal cord from all lambs over six months old from 1 January. Under EU rules, spinal cord from sheep over 12 months of age is declared a specified risk material (SRM) and must be removed at slaughter.
Trade Reform Deadline Looms
The World Trade Organisation chairman of the agriculture negotiations, Stuart Harbinson, has issued a discussion paper on all the proposals that have been put forward in the latest round of trade talks. The overview paper summarises members' proposals that have been put forward so far, including those submitted by the USA, Europe and the Cairns Group, and will form the basis for discussions on the negotiating guidelines due to be finalised by 31 March 2003.
Americas
Mexico Imposes Listeria Testing on U.S. Poultry RTE Products
The Mexican government last month established a Listeria testing procedure that affects poultry hamburgers, cold cuts or any other prepared chicken or turkey product ready for human consumption, according to a Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) Report released by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The testing procedure will take four to 12 working days, but shipments will be permitted to enter the country prior to receipt of the final test results.
USA
Consumer Preferences Drive Research
Consumer preferences and the demand for, and reliance upon, safe food will drive research efforts by food scientists in the coming years, according to the Institute of Food Technologists, Chicago, Illinois. not-for-profit, international scientific society. Areas of research will be extensive and include: novel processing techniques utilizing ultraviolet light and ultrasound; genetic investigation to create foods that prevent inherited diseases; exploration in nanobiotechnology to produce ultra-sensitive sensors measuring healthful and harmful components in food.
Economist Sees Rising Cash Cattle Prices
Kansas State University agriculture economist James Mintert sees cash cattle values rising to the upper $70s and possibly higher by later winter. Mintert says with 9.2% fewer cattle in feedlots than a year ago, cattle feeders can expect cash cattle prices to climb.
U.S. Restricts New Year's Flights in N.Y., Calif.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. imposed a temporary flight ban over the Statue of Liberty and midtown Manhattan on New Year's Eve due to possible security risks ahead of high-profile festivities. The Federal Aviation Administration also issued flight restrictions along the Rose Parade route in Pasadena, California, at the state's request, as a security precaution at the event expected to draw thousands of people.