Agriculture

Canada Guiding WTO Talks to End Farm Subsidies

OTTAWA - Canadian officials are helping to broker critical international talks on farm subsidies designed to help crack open wider world trade in agricultural products. Finding a way to end the billions of dollars in subsidies the United States and European Union give their farmers is crucial to Canadian producers, Trade Minister Jim Peterson said Tuesday.

Food-Importing Nations Call For Right To Protect Farm Products

An alliance of food-importing countries, including South Korea, issued a joint statement Monday calling for the right to protect key farm products amid expectations of a framework agreement on agricultural sector liberalization at the end of the month.

Human Error Likely Caused Mad Cow Scare

WASHINGTON - The first inconclusive test for mad cow disease was most likely caused by human error and not by the test used in the government's newly deployed rapid screening test, said a senior executive with the test's manufacturer.

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.