“Taiwan to Block U.S. Beef Imports”
Two months ago the United States and Taiwan signed a bilateral agreement that expanded the list of U.S. beef products Taiwan would accept as imports. But now, Taiwan’s political parties have agreed to ban ground beef, offal and possibly bone-in beef from any country found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the past 10 years. If these beef import restrictions are voted into law next week, the new ban would effectively revoke the October agreement.
USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have issued a strongly worded statement decrying the move and noting if passed, the new law – would constitute a unilateral abrogation of a bilateral agreement concluded in good faith. They warn that – Taiwan authorities should consider very carefully the impact that passage of the amendment in its current form would have on Taiwan’s reputation as a reliable trading partner and responsible member of the international community. Taiwanese supermarkets, restaurants and politicians have voiced opposition to the October agreement.
Following the agreement, additional port of entry restrictions were implemented, immediately eroding the impact of the agreement. Taiwan banned imports of all U.S. beef in 2003 after BSE was discovered in the United States. It began permitting some boneless beef imports in 2006.
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“Reaction to Potential Taiwan Beef Restrictions”
In a joint statement, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and USDA Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Jim Miller said, – this amendment’s provisions do not have a basis in science or fact and thus in no way serve to protect Taiwan’s food supply. They say – science and facts – not politics or hyperbole – should govern our trade and economic relations.
The U.S. officials say – we have worked closely with Taiwan to provide all information necessary for that country’s officials to fully evaluate these measures in the preparation of the Department of Health’s final risk assessment, which determined that U.S. beef and beef products are safe. The U.S has provided research, data, scientific experts, technical assistance, as well as detailed information regarding U.S. risk mitigation measures.
They add, – the United States has implemented a comprehensive set of measures, regulations, and practices that are science-based, consistent with the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health for minimizing the risk posed by BSE. These measures allow us to ensure consumers in the United States, Taiwan and elsewhere that U.S. beef and beef products, including offals and ground beef, are safe. Millions of American families enjoy these products every day.
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“Taiwan Team to Visit U.S.”
The Central News Agency is reporting that Taiwan will send a team to the United States to explain its legislature’s recent move to re-impose a ban on certain U.S. beef imports. The country’s president reportedly called a meeting in response to a proposed legislative amendment that would abrogate a beef pact forged with the United States in October.
President Ma Ying-jeou said – the team will depart for the U.S. next week at the latest.
A group consisting of legislators, scholars and representatives of civic groups and consumers also will visit the United States. On the itinerary will be on-site visits to beef plants in an effort to allay domestic fears over the safety of U.S. beef.
The Central News report quotes a Presidential Office official saying Taiwan’s government is willing to fulfill its international commitments, but noted the proposed ban reflects the public will and was the result of a democratic process. The official says – we hope the United States will respect the decision.
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“Russia to Ban Chlorine Treated Poultry”
Effective January 1, Russian officials say imports of poultry treated with chlorine from any country is prohibited. The Interfax News Agency quotes Russia’s head of the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Russia’s chief public health officer as saying – we have sent to the Federal Customs Service a letter in which we confirmed the final version of the requirement. The ban could completely rule out imports of U.S. poultry in 2010, estimated at some 500-thousand metric tons.
Gennadiy Onishchenko is quoted as saying – most Russian establishments have switched their technology to treat birds with cold air and acid sprays instead of water solutions containing chlorine. Also, Onishchenko reportedly said – if you process poultry the way our national legislation requires then no one will object to its import. Russia claims chlorine on poultry presents a danger to public health.
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“Russia Has H1N1 Problem in Swine Herd”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Moscow has confirmed to the World Organization for Animal Health new outbreaks of pandemic influenza A H1N1 in Russia. The outbreak was confirmed in a pig herd in the Republic of Chuvashia. In the herd of just over 10-thousand animals, 45 pigs were fond infected. The Ministry said no pigs died or had to be culled.
The OIE reports – the possible source of infection is not determined, but there is assumption that the swine infection took place because the personnel had been down with signs of acute respiratory disease.
A ban is in place on trade of live pigs and swine products from the establishment without thermal treatment. Regular aerosol disinfection, including in the presence of animals, is being implemented. Vaccination has not been carried out.
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“Hong Kong Fourth-Largest U.S. Food and Beverage Market”
Hong Kong was the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and beverage exports at the end of a year in which those exports grew by 15 percent. USDA says that’s the fastest growth among all export markets globally. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network released the report earlier this month noting that the Hong Kong market is valued at 1.4-billion dollars. That number is supported by a weakened U.S. dollar, which makes U.S. food products more competitively priced overseas.
Red meat and poultry are among the top prospects for export to Hong Kong; many of those exports are then re-exported to mainland China. Red meat import value is expected to drop due to lower prices and demand for cheaper cuts. At the same time, poultry is a cheaper source of protein, and so the agency expects poultry imports will rise in 2010.
The report says, in Hong Kong, U.S. products also have been boosted by health and safety concerns due to – food scares from neighboring countries. U.S. food products, organic, health foods and gourmet products are well-known in Hong Kong for their high quality and are therefore likely to enjoy more opportunities as Hong Kong consumers are becoming more health and safety conscious.
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“HSUS Petition Drive Begins in Missouri”
The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has given the green light to the Humane Society of the United States for the wording on its petition for a ballot initiative intended to crack down on shady dog breeders in Missouri. The animal rights organization may now begin circulating the petition for signatures.
For an initiative petition changing state law to be placed on the ballot, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in six of Missouri’s nine congressional districts. For 2010, that amounts to just under 100,000 signatures.
Although the initiative is aimed at dog breeders, many agriculture executives interpret the effort as a first step toward putting restrictions on livestock operations in the state. The organization had success a year ago in California with Proposition 2, but did not succeed in passing similar animal treatment measures in Ohio earlier this year.
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“Kansas Representative Concludes Listening Tour”
This week, Kansas Representative Jerry Moran concluded his 13th annual Big First Listening Tour. During his tour, Moran says – folks shared with me their concerns about the disastrous increase in government spending and the continual growth of the federal government—represented by bailouts, stimulus packages, cap and trade legislation, government intervention in health care and other damaging legislative proposals.
Moran emphasizes, – I have voted against every bailout and stimulus package, Cash for Clunkers, cap and trade, financial re-regulation and health care reform. He says – the growth of government, represented by these bills, threatens our way of life and makes it more difficult to have prosperity and leave things better for the next generation.
With the recent legislation that Congress has passed, Moran fears, – our children and grandchildren will have more debt, less freedom, diminished personal responsibility and fewer economic opportunities.
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“Syngenta Buys Potatoes to Feed Hungry”
Syngenta has donated 4-thousand dollars to Feeding America, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a network of 205 food banks. The donation signifies the end of the campaign which ran between October 7 and November 20 and allowed consumers to add to the Syngenta donation by viewing the Syngenta Healthy Potato Commercial on YouTube .
Mary DeMers, horticulture communication manager at Syngenta Crop Protection, says – we hope many families have a happier holiday thanks to the potatoes purchased from our donation.
Karen Hanner, vice president of cause marketing at Feeding America, says – we’re always pleased when public organizations can find synergy in what they’re doing and giving back to those in need.
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“Farmers Need to Check for Skin Cancer”
More than 11-thousand Americans die each year from skin cancer. But when detected early skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 percent. Dr. David Pariser, a dermatologist and president of the American Academy of Dermatology, points out that – since research shows farmers are among the least likely workers to receive a skin examination by a physician, it’s important that farmers perform regular skin self-examinations, which could mean the difference between life and death.
Dr. Pariser says it’s easy as “ABC” to remember how you can identify a mole or lesion that needs the attention of a dermatologist. Such as: Asymmetry -one half is unlike the other; Border – irregular, scalloped or poorly defined; Color – varies from one area to another; Diameter – the size of a pencil eraser or larger; and Evolving -changing in size, shape or color.
To help farmers minimize their risk of skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends several suggestions, such as using water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 on all exposed skin, and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses while working in the sun.
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“Researchers Working on Bowl Disease”
A group of British scientists and their Agricultural Research Service colleague have been successful in using a benign bacterium from the human gut to develop a microbe that someday might help treat inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic intestinal diseases. The disease erodes the delicate lining of the intestine, and its symptoms–often severe–include cramping, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal discomfort. IBD cannot be cured, and current treatments can have adverse side effects.
The group of researchers focused on the bacterium Bacteroides ovatus or B. ovatus, which is one of an assortment of intestinal microflora in humans. The bacterium thrives in the oxygen-free environment of the large intestine, where it breaks down xylan–a fiber found in plants–and other sugars for energy and growth.
The team has been successful in creating a strain of B. ovatus that uses xylan to induce secretion of human keratinocyte growth factor, a protein that helps repair and restore the intestine’s delicate lining. This increased the ability of the intestine to repair IBD-inflicted damage. The theory is not yet ready for use on humans.
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“Corn Board Nominations Sought”
The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee has issued its last call for members to file applications for the 2011 Corn Board. Applications must be submitted by January. 15. Through the Corn Board, members can become an integral part of the organization’s leadership. The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations.
Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways. They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization’s public standing on all organizational and policy issues.
Nominated candidates will be introduced at the February 2010 Corn Congress meeting, held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2010 Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., and the new terms begin October 1st.
