News Update

News Update
Oct. 2, 2006

Japan Says ‘No’ to Easing Rule, U.S. Packers Leery Over S. Korea

Japan’s new agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka told reporters last week that he doesn’t plan to ease the country’s import rule on U.S. beef from 20-month-old animals to those 30 months and older, Meatingplace.com reports. Like Minister Nakagawa, Matsuoka said the U.S. beef industry must first convince Japanese authorities it is capable of meeting current export regulations before they are eased.

In related news, Meatingplace.com reports that due to South Korea’s extensive bone fragment restrictions, few U.S. packers are willing to ship to the country. Although Korea’s ban ended in early September, no U.S. beef had been exported to South Korea as of Sept. 21, according to the web site.

Meat-Grading Service Fees Increase

Hourly fees charged for voluntary federal meat grading and certification services performed by the Meat Grading and Certification (MGC) Branch of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) have been increased, according to the American Meat Institute (AMI).

The adjustment reflects the increased cost of providing service and to ensure that the MGC Branch operates on a financially self-supporting basis, AMI stated. The adjusted fees go into effect Oct. 1.

Johanns Announces DCP Sign-Up

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Sept. 29 that enrollment for the 2007 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program (DCP) was to begin Oct. 1. Sign-up continues until June 1, 2007. Johanns encouraged farmers to sign up for the program through the online DCP sign-up service.

Following the June 1, 2007, deadline, USDA will accept late applications through Sept. 30, 2007, with a $100 late fee. While DCP participants must sign DCP contracts annually, producers can choose not to participate in the program in any given year.

Producers can visit any USDA Service Center or their administratively assigned center, to complete their 2007 DCP contract. Additionally, sign-up can be done online, allowing producers to choose payment options, assign crop shares, and sign and submit their contracts from any computer with Internet access.

The electronic service is available by going to www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=online&subject=landing&topic=dcp and clicking on “Access eDCP Service.” To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account, which requires filling out an online registration form at www.eauth.egov.usda.gov followed by a visit to the local USDA Service Center for identity verification.

APHIS Institutes Voluntary AI Control Program

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is instituting a voluntary program for the control of the H5:H7 subtypes of low-pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in commercial poultry, AMI reports.

The new program also provides payment of indemnity for costs associated with eradication of the subtypes of low-pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, which can mutate into highly pathogenic avian influenza. This interim rule was effective on Sept. 26. Comments received on or before Nov. 27 will be considered by the agency, according to AMI.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.