Water

Monsanto Abandons Worldwide GM Wheat Project

Monsanto has abandoned plans to introduce GM wheat on to the world market despite spending seven years and hundreds of millions of dollars developing the crop.

The Heavy Thud Of American Cotton

Uncle Sam got slapped on the side of the head last month when a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruled that multibillion-dollar subsidies by the US to domestic cotton producers violated international trade rules. "This is big stuff," says Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategy Institute in Washington.

France Says EU Subsidy Offer Exceeds Commission Mandate

French Agriculture Minister Herve Gaymard said Monday that an offer by the European Union to eliminate EU agricultural export subsidies exceeded the negotiating mandate of the EU executive commission.

EU Offers To Eliminate Its Farm Export Subsidies At World Trade Talks, But Only If U.S., Canada, Japan Follow

Aiming to boost world trade talks and get poorer countries on side, the European Union's top trade negotiators proposed Monday that rich nations, including the United States, Japan and Canada, drop all forms of subsidies on farm export products. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said the EU was ready "go the extra mile" to get a midterm deal by July at the World Trade Organization.

Take That, U.S. Farmers!

When a World Trade Organization court ruled on Apr. 26 that subsidies paid to American cotton farmers flout international trade rules, it did far more than just administer a wrist slap to the Bush Administration. The U.S. -- and Europe and Japan as well -- put all of their chips on the WTO backing their position. But they were beaten big time by the world's struggling nations instead.

Brazil looks to a unified South America by Ivan Cannabrava

Brazil is at a turning point in various aspects, such as changes in domestic priorities and foreign policies. Japan needs to stay abreast of changes and be aware of the opportunities in Brazil.

Why We Need An 'Arctic Bridge'

Global warming is doing more than just dissolving Arctic ice fields into chilly waters. The prospect of new navigational trade routes emerging as ice floes melt away is heating up discussions of international trade between Russia and Canada.

Concerned Over Shortage, China Subsidizes Peasants

Declining grain output and mounting concerns over food security seem to alarm Chinese leaders again as central and local governments vow to subsidize the world's greatest number of peasants to grow more grain.

Monsanto to Realign Research Portfolio, Development of Roundup Ready Wheat Deferred

ST. LOUIS (May 10, 2004) - Monsanto announced today it is realigning research and development investments to accelerate the development of new and improved traits in corn, cotton, and oilseeds. As part of this realignment, the company is deferring all further efforts to introduce Roundup Ready wheat, until such time that other wheat biotechnology traits

Monsanto To Defer Further Research On Roundup Ready Wheat

In part because Roundup Ready wheat adds value for only a segment of spring wheat growers, resulting in "a lack of widespread wheat industry alignment," Monsanto today announced it is realigning research and development investments, deferring all further efforts to introduce Roundup Ready wheat until other wheat biotechnology traits are introduced.