Locusts threaten Australian wheat
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) – A locust plague threatens Australia’s wheat crop ahead of its October harvest, government officials there have warned.
Adult locusts are heading south to more southern grain growing regions, endangering crops in the world’s fourth largest wheat exporter.
The last significant locust plague in Australia was in 2004, but farmers managed to combat it by destroying hatchings and harvested a 21.9 million wheat crop.
Ukraine plans state grain trader
KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) – The new Ukrainian government plans to set up a state-run grain trader to compete with private firms, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister recently announced.
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The government said private firms, which dominated the market, have dictated unprofitable prices for farmers.
“We will set up a state trader to create an alternative to companies, which buy and export from Ukraine. It will take place in the near future,” Viktor Slauta said.
Ukraine exported 25 million tonnes of grain in the 2008-09 season and plans to sell abroad up to 22 million in 2009-10.
Russia eyes Ukrainian ports for exports
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia wants to use Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea to ship its expanding grain stocks and is prepared to invest in upgrades to its neighbour’s infrastructure, the Russian agriculture ministry said.
Russian investment in Ukrainian ports topped the agenda when Ukraine’s new agriculture minister, Mykola Prysyazhnyuk, met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow.
Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich has moved quickly since his election in February to patch up relations with ex-Soviet master Russia, which had deteriorated under his pro-Western predecessor, Viktor Yushchenko.
U.S. cuts back on salt
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) – U.S. regulators plan to push for a gradual cut to the amount of salt Americans consume, saying less sodium would reduce deaths from hypertension and heart disease, the Washington Post reported.
The effort would eventually lead to the first legal limits on the amount of salt allowed in processed foods. The plan is to be launched this year but officials have not set salt limits, the article said.
The government plans to work with the food industry and health experts to reduce sodium gradually over a period of years.
