North Korea still suffers food shortages
United Nations officials said recent donations to alleviate hunger in North Korea have been insufficient.
The World Food Program said millions of people will be left without food if something is not done soon.
"The commitments to date are very important, because they will ensure that many of the children, women and elderly people currently deprived of outside support are fed again," program regional director Rick Corsino said.
"It is also crucial that more contributors come forward quickly because there is nothing in the pipeline beyond June."
In recent weeks, European Union officials have pledged money to be used to buy 46,000 tons of wheat, while the United States has promised 40,000 tons of various commodities.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the United States could provide an additional 60,000 tons if changes are made in the way officials monitor who is actually receiving the food donations.
U.N. officials say the recipients are intended to be children in nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools, and pregnant and nursing women.
Officials had hoped to produce 512,000 tons of food for 6.4 million people this year. But officials will need to come up with more than 325,000 tons of donations for the rest of 2003 to meet that goal.
The world food program attempts to provide food to residents who, for whatever reason, cannot easily obtain food outside the government-run public distribution system, which serves about 70 percent of North Korea's population.
That program is experiencing its own shortages and is only able to provide about half a survival ration per person per day.
"This is clearly not enough for the average human being," Corsino said. "The situation has been made worse as the cut-off in (World Food Program) aid has occurred during the country's harsh winter months when caloric needs increase."
Hispanic farmers claim federal discrimination
Nearly 300 farmers have a class-action lawsuit pending against the Agriculture Department on claims they were discriminated against because they are Hispanic.
The lawsuit, which is not scheduled to go to trial until September 2004, covers farmers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.
The lawsuit claims the Agriculture Department provided fewer benefits to Hispanic farmers when distributing money from low-interest loan programs meant to help farmers cope with emergencies. They cite a recent General Accounting Office study that showed white farmers receiving more loans than Hispanic farmers.
Agriculture Department officials told the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper that no discrimination took place.
China farmers need more water
The Chinese Center for Agricultural Policy said expanding demand for water in northern China could limit supplies for agricultural production.
Jikun Huang, director of the center, said industrial water use has increased from 1 percent to 20 percent of total water use during the past 50 years. Combined with urban demand for water, less is available for farmers to grow their crops.
University of California at Davis professor Scott Rozelle said China officials need to find ways to shift more water use to agricultural needs so as to meet the food demands of their increasing population.
Congress to consider school food safety
Congress will be asked this year to consider bills calling for tougher inspections rules to ensure that the food served to children as part of school lunches is safe for them to eat.
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., is sponsoring a bill in the Senate, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., will sponsor a similar measure in the House.
"Food-borne illness is a dangerous and real threat in this country, and our children are especially vulnerable," Durbin said. Whether either bill makes it through the committee process is uncertain.
New feed enzyme to be on market
The Food and Drug Administration granted approval to Danisco Animal Nutrition of England and Diversa Corp. of San Diego to sell a new phytase feed enzyme in the United States.
Danisco and Diversa jointly developed the substance that increases absorption of organic phosphorus from feed and reduce output of phosphorus to the environment.
They plan to show off their new product at the VIV Asia exhibition, to be held later this month in Thailand.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans suffered from word China planed to cancel its purchase of two shipments of U.S.-grown soybeans. Weather conditions in South America also had an impact.
Corn rose on weather forecasts for snow.
Wheat benefited from influence from corn.
Oats were lower.
The prices:
Soybeans: Mar 5.72 3/4 off 3 3/4, May 5.71 off 5 3/4, Jul 5.69 1/2 off 6 1/2, Aug 5.58 off 6 3/4.
Corn: Mar 2.36 up 2 1/2, May 2.36 1/4 up 1 3/4, Jul 2.38 1/4 up 1 1/2, Sep 2.38 3/4 up 1 1/4.
Wheat: Mar 3.26 1/2 up 8 1/4, May 3.19 up 3, Jul 3.12 1/2 up 2, Sep 3.17 up 2 1/2.
Oats: Mar 2.20 off 3, May 1.94 1/4 off 9, Jul 1.80 off 6 3/4, Sep 1.58 off 4.
