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UPI Farming Today

By GREGORY TEJEDA, United Press International

U.S., Europe differ on W.T.O. reform

The United States and European Union are going to have to iron out their differences over how much reform is needed in international rules set by the World Trade Organization.

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U.S. officials want significant changes made while European Union officials think only incremental changes are needed, according to trade officials at the American Farm Bureau Federation's gathering in Tampa, Fla.

Allen Johnson, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, said the United States is willing to make cutbacks if other countries do so as well.

"We're willing to cut if everyone goes along," he said. "But we're not going to unilaterally disarm."

But Gerald Kiely, a counselor with the European Commission delegation in Washington, said the trade bloc has made considerable progress in the past decade in reducing subsidies and practices that reduce trade.

Officials say because the European Union is expanding into eastern European countries, there is less money available to pay farmers.

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Kiely said the European Union wants a deal that builds on the Uruguay Round framework and not the one proposed by the United States last summer.

European Union officials hope to submit their proposal in time for World Trade Organization negotiations that begin this week in Geneva.

Both Johnson and Kiely admitted that to the rest of the world, the two sides' proposals are not very different. Both are considered trade transgressors who over-subsidize and complicate the situation for other countries.

Kiely said the European Union has little political support for widescale trade reform. In addition to farmers who demonstrate frequently, the bloc faces opposition from environmentalists, animal welfare activists and consumer advocates.

"The animal welfare lobby is probably even stronger than the agricultural lobby," he said.


Senate considers drought relief

The Senate was to consider providing extra financial aid to farmers across the United States who suffered financial losses due to drought and other inclement weather conditions.

On the table for politicians to consider is an amended relief plan meant to provide up to $3.1 million in assistance to farmers and livestock ranchers who suffered financial losses in 2001 and 2002.

An earlier version of the plan simply would have boosted financial assistance for all farmers. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the revised version makes sure farmers who can document their losses receive aid before other farmers do.

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The House is likely to have its own version of drought relief, and the final proposal sent to President Bush likely will be crafted in a congressional conference committee later this year.


Calif. rural legislators to work together

State legislators from rural parts of California are reconvening themselves as a distinct caucus.

The Rural Legislative Caucus plans to work together this year to pursue healthcare policies, and to work in future years to address agriculture issues. The caucus in recent years had done little to try to work together.

Republican Assemblyman Dave Cogdill of Modesto and state Sen. Chuck Poochigian of Fresno say they want to ensure budgetary problems facing the California Legislature do not wind up hurting rural parts of the state more than urban areas.


Feds begin hide and skin electronic reporting

The Agriculture Department's foreign agricultural service will start collecting weekly export sales information for cattle hides and skins electronically, beginning the week ending Jan. 30.

Under the electronic reporting system, hides and skins exporters will be able to access a secure data entry Internet site with a user identification and password.

The system has been used for beef exporters since September and eventually will be used for all commodities.

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Feds seek nominators to beef board

The Agriculture Department will accept applications from organizations seeking to be certified to nominate individuals to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board.

Groups already certified do not need to reapply but those organizations of cattle producers and beef importers not previously certified now have a chance to become involved.

The 108-member board was established in 1985. It administers a coordinated program designed to expand domestic and overseas markets and uses for beef.


Grains mixed on CBOT

Grain futures were mixed at the close Wednesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soybeans rose on influence from a Wall Street Journal report about the severity of drought conditions in the United States along with increased import interest in South Korea.

Corn rose on follow-up activity from Tuesday's gains and influence from soybeans.

Wheat fell despite dry soil conditions and cold temperatures in parts of the Plains states that will hurt crop quality.

Oats were influenced by wheat prices.

The prices:

Soybeans: Mar 5.60 up 4, May 5.56 up 3 1/4, Jul 5.54 1/4 up 3 1/2, Aug 5.47 1/4 up 2 3/4.

Corn: Mar 2.34 3/4 up 1, May 2.37 1/2 up 1, Jul 2.40 1/2 up 1 1/2, Sep 2.39 3/4 up 3/4.

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Wheat: Mar 3.14 1/2 off 4 3/4, May 3.13 1/4 off 3 3/4, Jul 3.12 1/2 off 1, Sep 3.16 off 1.

Oats: Mar 2.06 3/4 off 4 3/4, May 1.99 off 2 1/2, Jul 1.86 off 2, Sep 1.65 off 2 1/2.

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