Trade

Trade negotiators for the U.S. and Japan are working around the clock to complete a trade agreement prior to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Washington later this month. Negotiators are working to have the agreement ready to unveil during Abe’s visit as they hope the deal can pave the way for a broader Asia-Pacific pact involving 10 other countries...

Secretary Vilsack announced Tuesday more than 66.5-million dollars in funding for research and extension activities for specialty crops and organic agriculture through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative...

Cargill is one of about 30 agriculture groups calling for Congress to reconsider a 52-year embargo the United States first imposed against Cuba in the early 1960s.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman met with the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees yesterday on trade.

China has banned poultry exports from the U.S. and in particular poultry from Benton County in Washington State.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization has reported the cost of meat increased 8.1 percent this past year across the world.

More than 30 agricultural organizations have announced the formation of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba.

In a statement released last week the USDA says some countries are placing restriction on U.S. trade that are “more than necessary.”

A recount has confirmed Oregon’s GMO labeling ballot initiative was voted down in November.

With the smallest beef herd in the U.S. since the 1950’s, imports of beef from Australia are expected to rise for the 2014-15 marketing year.

The United States is one of seven nations that have temporarily suspended Canadian poultry products.

Negotiators will meet for another round of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership this week.