WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Two U.S. senators urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve disaster assistance for small pork producers affected by a deadly virus that has killed more than four million pigs across the United States in the past year. Democrats Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Kay Hagan […] Read more
Stories by Reuters News Service
Russia suspends some trade via Lithuanian port
VILNIUS (Reuters) — Russia had suspended food product imports through Lithuania’s major port Klaipeda, the Baltic country’s prime minister said on Thursday, a move local businesses saw as Moscow’s way of exerting political pressure at a time it is confronting Ukraine. “Lithuania’s terminals have received a written note. A note was also sent to companies […] Read more
Deadly pig virus spreads to Arizona; 27 U.S. states now affected
(Reuters) — Arizona is the latest state to confirm cases of the deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, a highly contagious pig disease, increasing the tally of U.S. states with confirmed cases to 27, a group of animal health researchers said. Virginia has reported positive samples of the virus in the environment, but not yet in […] Read more
Hog futures hit new high on supply fears; cattle firm
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, March 13 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures on Thursday hit a new high, with April closing up the three-cents limit, as prices for slaughter-ready hogs climbed fueled by tight supplies in part pegged to a deadly pig virus, traders said. The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), which is fatal […] Read more
Syngenta halts sale of new GM corn
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Syngenta has halted commercial sales in Canada of corn seed containing a new genetically modified trait because major importers have not approved the product, say two industry sources. The variety contains the Agrisure Duracade trait that provides protection against rootworms. The company will sell it in the United States, but growers […] Read more
Group seeks court order on USDA over genetically modified alfalfa
March 13 (Reuters) – A public interest group is asking a court to force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to turn over documents explaining its approval of a genetically altered alfalfa even as the department acknowledged the crop’s potential to do environmental damage. The Center for Food Safety said on Thursday that it believes the […] Read more
EU, U.S. to commit to remove all duties on bilateral trade
BRUSSELS (Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama and European Union leaders will promise to remove all tariffs on bilateral trade at their summit on March 26, an ambitious step towards the world’s largest free-trade deal, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters. The joint declaration seeks to overcome tensions following Washington’s offer to cut […] Read more
Japan, U.S. make ‘bit of progress’ in trade talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The United States and Japan made some progress on resolving a deadlock over tariffs on farm and industrial exports, which is dragging on a wider Pacific trade deal, a senior Japanese official said on Wednesday. Plans for a free trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim nations, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, have been bogged […] Read more
Ukraine 2014-15 crop prospects remain favourable: USDA
(Reuters) — Prospects for Ukraine’s winter crops and spring-sowing campaign remain favorable, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday, although a weakened currency could eventually curb the use of imported inputs such as hybrid seeds. “Conditions have been generally favourable for winter crops,” the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report. “The country’s […] Read more
U.S. cattle deaths linked to Zilmax far exceed company reports: study
(Reuters) — The number of U.S. cattle deaths that may be linked to the Merck & Co. Inc. feed additive Zilmax are much higher than the figures reported by the drug company to the federal government, according to a research study published on Wednesday. The findings by researchers from Texas Tech University and Kansas State […] Read more
