Agriculture

Secretive Meat Recalls Harm

Federal secrecy rules still limit the ability of Northwest states to help with meat recalls, as happened following the discovery of a Washington case of mad cow disease.

Farm-subsidy Squabble Could Grow

Brazil, the world's largest coffee and sugar exporter, may decide to escalate its fight over U.S. and European barriers at the World Trade Organization as part of its continuing effort to gain a bigger share of global markets, Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodrigues said Thursday.

Cargill Takes Heat Over Ethanol Import Plan

Farmers and lawmakers are criticizing a plan by Cargill Inc. to import ethanol made with cheap Brazilian sugar cane, saying it will undermine the ethanol industry in Minnesota and the rest of the Midwest.

Of Mad Prices, Mad Cows and Mad Farmers

In the week before our nation celebrates its Birthday No. 228, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture proved once again that open access to public information is an unalienable right. The world's foremost farm and food agency proved it by violating it.

Food Body Puts Off Discussion On Globalised Parmesan

The world's top food regulatory body has put off a discussion on integrating a recipe for Parmesan cheese into global food standards following strong objections from Italy and the EU, a spokesman said Thursday.

Brazil, Emboldened by Cotton Case, May Escalate WTO Farm Fight

Brazil, the largest coffee and sugar exporter, may escalate a fight over U.S. and European barriers at the World Trade Organization to gain a bigger share of global markets, Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodrigues said.

Supachai Backs Indian Farmer

World Trade Organisation director general Supachai Panitchpakdi has said that developed country members have to recognise the sensitivities of developing countries such as India in agriculture if the on-going WTO negotiations are to move forward.

The Strategic Triangle

ABSTRACT:

U.S. Maintains Competitive Edge Over Canada And Mexico As The NAFTA Countries Confront Asia

The United States is in the best position of the three NAFTA nations to weather the challenges posed by lower cost overseas producers, according to the latest NAFTA Quarterly, released today by Scotia Economics.

China Committed To Closing Trade Gap With US

US Commerce Secretary Don Evans said Thursday he had won a pledge from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to make efforts to lower China's massive 124 billion dollar trade surplus with the United States. "Premier Wen said that he is committed to closing the trade gap," Evans told journalists as he wound up a six-day trip to China.