Agriculture Department won't get involved in row about ESCAS costs

Sarina Locke The Federal Department of Agriculture says the costs of complying with the new animal welfare standards have nothing to do with it, or the Federal Government. The comment is in response to a complaint by a Japanese importer, which was reviewing the import of Wagyu cattle from Australia worth one million dollars. Elders confirmed it was dealing with the problem and the cattle haven't left Australia yet. The Japanese company sent a letter to Meat and Livestock Australia about the cost of auditing the movement of the cattle (ESCAS). In a statement, DAFF says: "Australian exporters are responsible for establishing their exporter...

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Agriculture giants and biotech companies spend big to defeat Prop. 37

SAN FRANCISCO -- The nation's largest agribusiness and biotech companies are pouring millions of dollars into California to stop the first-ever initiative to require special labels on foods made with genetically modified ingredients, a sign of their determination to keep the measure from sparking a nationwide movement. So far, farming giants such as Monsanto, Dupont Pioneer and Cargill have contributed nearly $25 million to defeat the proposal, with much of that cash coming in the past few days. It's nearly 10 times the amount raised by backers of the ballot measure who say California's health-conscious shoppers want more information...

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NA body for change of PARC chairman within a week

 Ijaz Kakakhel ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on Thursday directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) to appoint senior most scientist as acting chairman Pakistan Agriculture and Research Council (PARC) within one week until the permanent appointment is made by the prime minister. The committee met under the chairmanship of Javed Iqbal Warriach at PARC head office. The committee expressed serious reservations over giving the charge of PARC chairmanship to a person who is not qualified for the post. All heads within the PARC have been changed on political and personal like and dislike basis. The senior most scientists were either ignored or put in a place where they are unfit for the job. Muttahida...

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PARB approves Rs 450 million for research projects

ZAHID BAIG Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) has approved Rs 450 million for the year 2012-13 to fund high priority research projects in Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries sectors under Competitive Grant System (CGS). The budget will be utilised to run ongoing as well as to fund 30 news projects. PARB shall allocate 70% of its available funds on CGS with open merit while 30% shall be funded on emerging high priority issues through Board approval. Approval to this effect was given at the 27th board meeting of the Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB). The meeting held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Agriculture...

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Agriculture: Farmers protest against inflated power bills

The protesters, belonging to Fatowali village, chanted slogans against the government for what they said were its anti-people policies. Kashif Zafar BAHAWALPUR:  Dozens of farmers staged a protest demonstration against the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) for sending inflated power bills. The protesters blocked Sama Satta Road and burned their electricity bills during the demonstration. The protesters, belonging to Fatowali village, chanted slogans against the government for what they said were its anti-people policies. They said some of them had received power bills of more than a hundred thousand rupees just for...

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Forget drought, demand rationing is corn’s new master

The protesters, belonging to Fatowali village, chanted slogans against the government for what they said were its anti-people policies. Karl Plume CHICAGO: When all is said and done, predicting the damage done to US corn and soy crops from the worst drought in half a century may have been the easy part. With the harvest imminent and plants mature, most traders are fairly confident they have a handle on this year’s supply. Whether corn yields are 120 bushels an acre or 130, it’s clear that demand will outstrip supply, possibly by a wide margin. Demand, in trade parlance, will have to be “rationed”. What’s far...

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