Mexico requests WTO panel on COOL
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico is asking the World Trade Organization (WTO) to settle a dispute over U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules that Mexico says unfairly hurt its cattle industry.

Mexico joins Canada, which already requested a dispute settlement panel on the issue. In a Friday statement, Mexico’s Agriculture Department said previous rules allowed meat from Mexican-born cattle raised and slaughtered in the United States to qualify as being of U.S. origin.

New rules approved in 2008 no longer allow that, however, and Mexico says the change violated WTO rules and “significantly affected” Mexican exporters. The USDA says the labeling provides “information to consumers in a manner consistent” with WTO rules.
In order to gain a better understanding of COOL’s effects on the entire beef chain, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. (NCBA) has asked the USDA to reinstate a joint Agricultural Marketing Service/Economic Research Service study entitled, Economic Analysis of Country of Origin Implementation Costs for Producers and Processors in the Beef, Pork and Lamb Industries that was to be completed in cooperation with the Livestock Marketing Information Center.

According to the NCBA, Canada and Mexico are the top two U.S. trading partners, together accounting for 59 percent of total U.S. beef, beef variety meat and processed beef product export revenues last year.

Vilsack: USDA must sharpen research focus
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA must sharpen the focus of its science and research efforts to emphasize areas where the agency can make an impact on society.

Vilsack outlined his hopes for the USDA’s science and research efforts on Oct. 8 during a speech launching the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Congress created the agency in last year’s farm bill.

Vilsack said the new NIFA will enhance the USDA’s research aims by working with top scientists from around the world and taking on practical problems. He said he wants the USDA to do more work but in fewer areas and avoid overlapping with research projects by other agencies.

Senator wants U.S.-ASEAN free trade deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A senior U.S. lawmaker says he plans to introduce legislation next week that would urge U.S. trade officials to pursue a free trade deal with the Assoc. of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana said Friday that China, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have free trade agreements already with the 10-nation ASEAN and “are sharpening a competitive edge over the U.S. in Southeast Asia.”

Lugar said the United States should “develop a comprehensive strategy toward” U.S.-ASEAN trade talks. Lugar says U.S. trade restrictions with military-run Myanmar should not prevent a deal with the rest of ASEAN.

President Obama will be in Singapore next month to attend an Asian economic meeting. Lugar’s bill faces uncertain prospects.

Japan suspends beef from Nebraska plant

TOKYO (AP) — Japan suspended beef shipments from an American meatpacker Saturday over its failure to remove cattle parts banned under a bilateral agreement, as officials here raised concerns about U.S. safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease.

Japanese quarantine inspectors found bovine spinal columns in one of 732 boxes shipped from Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., which arrived in Japan in late September, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.

The suspension only affects Tyson’s factory in Lexington, Neb., one of 46 meatpacking plants approved to export beef to Japan. It was the second suspension for the Lexington factory, Nakata said.

“It’s extremely regrettable,” said Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu, who has just returned from meetings in Washington with U.S. trade and farm officials. “We need to closely examine if it was just a careless mistake or there is a systematic problem.”
Japan’s new ruling Democratic Party has proposed a tough response to any violation to a bilateral safety agreement, including a blanket ban on U.S. beef shipments. The Japanese ministry has asked the USDA to investigate how the box containing the banned parts ended up in Japan.

Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Tyson, called the delivery of that box a mix-up. He said the Springdale, Ark.-based company is investigating it and will work with the USDA to “take corrective measures” so the plant can start supplying Japanese customers again.

Gunman taking aim at propane tanks
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Calhoun County authorities say a gunman is targeting liquid propane tanks located on hog farms in the area.

Calhoun County sheriff’s police said nearly a dozen liquid propane tanks have been fired upon by someone using a high-caliber rifle. Authorities say the incidents occurred on hog farms in Calhoun and Sac counties.

In a statement, authorities noted the liquid propane tanks hit by gunfire were located near or next to modern, indoor hog bars. Other tanks, including those near grain storage facilities, have not been targeted. A reward of up to $8,000 is offered for the arrest and conviction of the unidentified shooter.

USDA: Dairy industry must restructure

BATH, S.D. (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the struggling U.S. dairy industry must be restructured to avoid cycles of boom and bust.

Vilsack spoke during a visit to South Dakota Oct. 5, less than a week after Congress announced a $350 million dairy bailout. Vilsack said he expects the USDA to look at its price support and marketing programs to see if changes would help stabilize dairy prices.

Dairy farmers benefited in recent years from higher milk prices and growing demand in countries like China. But demand fell off with the economic downturn, and wholesale milk prices began plummeting. Many farmers now say they can’t sell their milk for what it costs to produce.

USDA funding available for aquaculture
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) announce the availability of funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus funds).

The Act authorizes $50 million of USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for grants to states that agree to provide assistance to eligible aquaculture producers for losses associated with high feed input costs during the 2008 calendar year.
Kentucky has received $53,261, which was made on a pro rata basis, based on the amount of aquaculture feed used during the 2007 calendar year, as determined by the CCC.

Applications are being mailed to aquaculture producers known to KDA; however, producers who do not receive the application may obtain one at http://agpolicy.ky.gov or www.kyagr.com