Agribusiness

Sen. Grassley Introduces Bill to Stop Unfair Importing of Foreign Ethanol

From Sen. Chuck Grassley said today that he will introduce legislation to close a loophole that may be used to bring Brazilian ethanol duty-free into the American market.

World Beet Growers Group May Elect North Dakotan As President

Sugar farmers from South America, Europe and Asia are coming here for the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers conference later this month, and might elect a North Dakotan as president. The organization's board of directors is backing Bill Hejl, a sugar beet farmer from Amenia, to fill the post. A president will be elected July 30 to a three-year term.

Biotech Won't Help Farmers in the Third World

The Register fed into fallacies of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report that endorses biotechnology for poor farmers in developing countries ("Breakthrough on Biotech," May 19).

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.

G8 Leaders Meet, Discuss Cooperation Processes

Six African leaders and the leaders of the world's eight richest countries concluded their meeting in Georgia, in the US yesterday, with a pledge to work together to ensure better living conditions in the African continent.

BSE Testing Debate Continues (Canada)

North American meat companies have been told at this week's World Meat Congress in Canada that checking all cattle for mad cow disease would push up costs without improving food safety.

Talks For South-South Trade Alliance Forge Ahead

Top trade officials from around the world nations gather in Sao Paulo for a week of discussions in which Brazil hopes to forge a south-south alliance to counterbalance wealthy northern countries in trade talks.

Brazil Aiming To Increase Exports Of Ethanol To US

Brazil's sugarcane producers are planning a major boost in ethanol production and fuel-alcohol exports amid robust international oil prices and stricter environmental regulations, officials and traders said this week.

Wal-Mart's U.S. Expansion Has Benefited From More Than $1 Billion In Economic Development Subsidies

Washington, DC, May 24, 2004--Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, has benefited from more than $1 billion in economic development subsidies from state and local governments across the United States, according to a new study by Good Jobs First, a Washington, DC-based research group (the study, SHOPPING FOR SUBSIDIES, is available online at

Farmers Contest Report Linking Obesity To Subsidies

Farmers are fighting back against national media reports that blame federal farm subsidies for America's obesity epidemic.