U.S., Australia name top Iraq farm officials
Both the United States and Australia have named officials to oversee their country's efforts to rebuild the agriculture infrastructure in Iraq, which was devastated by war.
The Agriculture Department named Dan Amstutz to be senior ministry advisor for farm-related issues. He will coordinate U.S. government activity related to agriculture and will be the liaison between the Agriculture Department and the military.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to draw upon someone with Dan Amstutz' background and experience for this extremely important task," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
"He will help us achieve our national objective of creating a democratic and prosperous Iraq while at the same time best utilize the resources of our farmers and food industry in the effort, both in the interim and for the longer term," Veneman said.
Amstutz is a Washington-based consultant who specializes in agribusiness and international trade issues.
In the past, he has held positions with Cargill; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; the International Wheat Council and the North American Export Grain Association.
He also has worked for the Agriculture Department as undersecretary for international affairs, and also was ambassador and chief negotiator for agriculture during the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1987-89.
Amstutz is one of several officials who will represent specific U.S. agencies in the rebuilding of Iraq. Other agencies naming people include Defense, Health and Human Services, Interior, Treasury, Justice, State, Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Agency for International Development.
In Australia, agriculture experts were sent to Iraq to work with local officials to help farmers recover from war-related damage, which came during the prime harvesting season for area farmers.
Trevor Flugge, former chairman of the Australian Wheat Board, will lead the country's relief effort, holding the title of joint senior agricultural adviser.
"They will be responsible in the short term for providing advice and assistance to Iraq, both in terms of the rebuilding of Iraqi agriculture after 30 years of dictatorship and also ... ensuring food security and food supply," Australia Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
Sugar Association calls report wrong
The World Health Organization's diet and nutrition committee is expected to release a report Wednesday and already it has its critics.
The Sugar Association said that based on drafts it has seen, the report overstates health risks involved with sugar consumption. They say the group used suspect scientific methods to reach its conclusions.
"We remain adamant that any scientific report that affects world health policies and global implementation strategies must be based on the preponderance of scientific evidence," association President Andrew Briscoe said.
U.S., Colombia to work together
The Agriculture Department has reached an agreement with the Colombia Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry to work together on farm-related issues.
Officials with the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to create a consultative committee on agriculture. Earlier this month, U.S. officials reached a similar agreement with Uruguay.
"This committee will enhance bilateral trade to benefit both our countries and set the stage for improved communication and coordination in a number of areas, including food safety, research and sanitary issues," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
Kraft investors concerned w/ genetic crops
Kraft Foods shareholders who are sympathetic to environmental activists used a shareholders meeting to try to bring the issue up for discussion.
Shareholders including actor Chevy Chase and Green Century Capital Management representative Wendy Wendlandt both said during a Tuesday meeting in East Hanover, N.J., they fear public concerns over the safety of genetic crops could cause people to stop purchasing Kraft Food products.
Activists have tried to claim that ingredients made from genetically modified crops pose a potential health risk for people. Kraft officials say the activists are overstating any potential risks.
PETA wants Veggieburg, U.S.A.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want a suburb of Buffalo, N.Y., to change its name from Hamburg to Veggieburg, claiming the current name should be changed to something with "positive connotations."
The animal rights activist group said it would provide $15,000 worth of soy burgers to the local school district if the name change was made. Local officials declined.
The town was named after the German city, and also claims to be a birthplace of the hamburger. Local officials have a hamburger festival each year.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans were mixed on a lack of information that could provide clear direction.
Corn was mixed on influence from soybeans.
Wheat fell on weather conditions in prime growing areas.
Oats were mixed.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.10 off 6 1/2, Jul 6.11 off 5 1/2, Aug 6.00 1/2 off 2 3/4, Nov 5.38 1/2 up 2 1/2.
Corn: May 2.38 3/4 unch, Jul 2.39 off 1/4, Sep 2.38 up 1/4, Dec 2.38 off 1/4.
Wheat: May 2.88 1/4 off 2, Jul 2.89 3/4 off 3 1/2, Sep 2.94 1/2 off 3 3/4, Dec 3.04 1/2 off 3 3/4.
Oats: May 1.78 up 2, Jul 1.54 3/4 off 1/4, Sep 1.45 3/4 off 3/4, Dec 1.45 1/2 up 1/4.
