Ag News: Tuesday, November 22

"Johanns Expresses Importance of Hong Kong in Rome"
U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns on Monday addressed the 33rd U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Conference in Rome. Johanns said the conference on the global state of food and agriculture comes at a crucial time - less than three weeks before the Hong Kong meeting of all WTO ministers - which Johanns called an important milestone of the Doha Round of World Trade Organization talks.Johanns said the Doha Round will determine whether developing countries get the chance to enjoy the benefits of expanded global trade - which he said could significantly stimulate the global economy. According to Johanns - that's an opportunity the world can't afford to miss. Johanns told his colleagues that agriculture and reform of agricultural trade is a key component of the WTO negotiations - and explained the U.S. proposal outlined in October. On top of U.S. efforts to increase market access, reduce trade-distorting domestic support and eliminate export subsidies - Johanns said the U.S. is committed to promoting worldwide science-based standards. Because of that commitment - Johanns expressed appreciation for the proposed FAO budget - which protects two standards-setting bodies - the Codex and the International Plant Protection Convention. But Johanns also expressed some concerns. According to Johanns - the U.S. disagrees with aspects of the Director-General's proposal to reform the UN FAO - including any shift in FAO's focus away from its traditional standards-setting activities, data collection, and analysis.

"Appropriations on Hold for Turkey Day"
The Defense and Labor-HHS-Education bills are the only fiscal year 2006 spending bills left to be completed by Congress. Appropriators are close to achieving their goal of passing all spending bills for the fiscal year individually. They can see the goal line - but the last few yards could be the toughest yet. Congress is taking a break for Thanksgiving - but when they come back - according to Washington insiders - GOP leaders could decide to use the defense bill to carry the Labor-HHS measure and a number of other items - like the President's proposed reallocation of hurricane funds and funding to prepare for a potential flu pandemic. Just this weekend - President Bush signed the energy-water development bill into law. The President also signed a second continuing appropriations resolution to keep funds flowing to those agencies whose spending bills haven't been enacted through the 17th of December.

"EU Foreign Ministers Keeping Close Eye on Mandelson"
According to the French foreign minister - EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson isn't ruling out the possibility of making a further offer on farm trade in the Doha Round of WTO talks. That's why - at the request of France - EU nations announced Monday they plan to closely monitor Mandelson at the talks in Hong Kong. EU foreign ministers say they will meet in special sessions to guide Mandelson through the final global trade deal stretch. But Mandelson has previously made it very clear he would not make a different offer on agriculture - and denies warning ministers he may make new agriculture concessions. Instead - Mandelson said he's looking to other countries to consider Europe's latest farm trade offer - and reciprocate with progress in other areas of the talks. Mandelson's offer to slash farm trade tariffs has not been well received by France. The French foreign minister has accused the trade commissioner of going too far - and while the EU's foreign ministers say they still back Mandelson as a trade negotiator - they have now given into the French push for a short leash on Mandelson. Mandelson is meeting with U.S., Brazilian and Indian officials in Geneva for informal talks Tuesday.

"Humane Society Plans to Battle USDA Over Poultry Slaughtering"
The Humane Society of the United States is filing suit against USDA in an effort to extend federal controls over livestock slaughter to protect birds. Poultry is currently excluded from the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act - an act requiring livestock be rendered unconscious or killed before slaughter. That's what the Humane Society would like to see changed. According to the Humane Society - the method of poultry-slaughter used injures birds while they are still conscious. They say that endangers humans because it leads to an increased chance of food-borne infections in people. But Phillip Lobo - President of the Alliance for Animal Agriculture - says the Human Society suit is a typical Thanksgiving week pubicity stunt. He points out promoting animal welfare is in the best interest of the U.S. poultry industry.According to the Washington Post - USDA has declined to comment on the suit until it's filed.