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Texas Agriculture Archive

October 17, 2003

Activists stop biotech Mexican corn imports
Greenpeace activists succeeded in stopping a shipment of U.S. biotech corn from being unloaded in Veracruz, Mexico, recently. The activists attached themselves to the anchor chain of the vessel holding the shipment, claiming that the livelihoods of thousands of Mexican farmers are threatened by what they describe as heavily subsidized U.S. exports.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Sept. 15, 2003
 
European farmers bear hefty 'mad cow' costs
A study released by the European Association for Animal Production (EEAP) said the European government and farmers will pay a hefty price tag of $107 billion for the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease). According to the report, the bulk of the hardship will fall on farmers who have had a decrease in the value of their livestock.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Oct. 1, 2003
Companies endorse farm traceability
Traceability to the farm is coming.

VeriPrime, Inc., a Wichita, KS firm has won quick support for its new database that helps track the source of a food poisoning all the way back to the farm where the animal was raised. Swift & Company, ConAgra, and Burger King have already endorsed it.

More than food safety is involved with Burger King's interest in traceability. It wants to monitor its effort to assure customers that its beef comes from humanely treated animals.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report; Sept. 26, 2003

$10 million granted for ag innovation
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced $10 million in grants to establish agricultural innovation centers in 10 states. The centers are part of the Bush administration's ongoing effort to assist rural businesses, farmers and ranchers in developing value-added businesses through greater utilization of production agriculture commodities.

The 2002 Farm Bill created the program to provide technical and business development assistance to increase and improve the ability of agricultural producers to develop markets and processes for value-added agricultural commodities and products. Funding of individual recipients will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Sept. 29, 2003

WTO 'peace clause' liable to be broken
Article 13 ("due restraint") of the Uruguay Round Ag Agreement is known as the "peace clause." It protects countries using subsidies which comply with the agreement from being challenged under other WTO agreements.

But the "peace" will likely be broken at the end of this year. The clause is set to expire at that time. Without a Doha agreement, WTO members would not extend this provision.

PERSPECTIVE: Without the "peace clause," countries would have greater freedom to take action against each others' subsidies. Some want the provision to lapse as part of their overall objective to see agriculture fall under general WTO disciplines that deal with governments' ability to take action against subsidies.

TARGETS: If the "peace clause" lapses, several counties could (would) slap countervailing duties on a number of U.S. commodities. At the top of the list: Cotton and soybeans.
Source: ProFarmer, Sept. 20, 2003 - Vol. 31, No. 38

Enrollment due for 2004 DCP program
Enrollment for the farm program (2004 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) is now underway. Producers must sign contracts annually, and have until June 1, 2004, to enroll.

Late-filed applications will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2004, provided a $100 fee is paid.

 For both 2002 and 2003, more than 98 percent of eligible base acres were enrolled.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Oct. 3, 2003

Ag imports could soon surpass exports
A recent study by Purdue University says U.S. agriculture imports could surpass exports by 2007.

After 40 years of exporting more than we take in, the United States is becoming a net agricultural importer.

According to the authors, Americans are eating more foods produced by other countries, such as mangoes and baby back ribs.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Sept. 25, 2003

U.S. exports to Mexico outpace Mexican imports
In 2002 the value of U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico totaled $7.3 billion, while imports from Mexico totaled $5.5 billion.

Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Amber Waves, September 2003