Illegal Price Fixing

In 2001 European Commission ruled that over the period 1991 through 1995 ADM and Haarmann and Reimer of the USA, Cerestar Bioproducts of Holland and, Hoffmann-LaRoche and Jungbunzlauer of Switzerland participated in a cartel to fix prices and manipulate the market for citric acid. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Wednesday 11 October 2006

Re-evaluation of Ethanol Production

The precipitous decline in the price of crude oil from approximately $80/barrel in late July to $60/barrel by mid-September stimulated a major re-evaluation of the feasibility of ethanol production. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Monday 09 October 2006

Does Organic also mean "Safe"?

The ongoing US outbreak of E coli O157: H7 attributed to organic spinach as the vehicle should stimulate concern among poultry producers in relation to their products. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Friday 06 October 2006

Blurring the distinction between animals and humans

A new initiative in the United States by animal activists wants to claim legal rights for animals which are regarded in most State law as "property". By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Friday 15 September 2006

Demise of live bird marketing

Government officials in Asia have been forced to review the desirability of maintaining live bird markets in urban centers. Concern over the dissemination of avian influenza and implications for human health have in all probability accelerated the move towards purchase of processed poultry in whole bird and portioned forms. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Wednesday 13 September 2006

Avian influenza H5N1 is a disease of birds

HPAI is not an infection transmitted to humans despite the dire predictions and prognostications of doomsayers in the WHO and other public health organizations with vested interests in acquiring funding and resources. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Wednesday 06 September 2006

The dangers of pseudo science

Distortion of science to promote protectionist agendas happens. Many countries are applying trade embargos against exporters as a result of isolating and identifying low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza in non-commercial birds in nature reserves or zoos following intensive surveillance. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Wednesday 30 August 2006

Russia threatens us poultry imports over WTO accession

In a blatant power play, Russia's Minister of Economic Development informed the US Trade Representative that unless US agreed to the Russia's membership to the WTO by the October meeting in Geneva, the Agreement of June 2005 on Tariff Rate Quotas would be set aside. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Monday 21 August 2006

Defying the law of supply and demand

The last time I checked the law of supply and demand was still operative. At least as far as it concerns the US egg market, devoid of Governmental control or price supports. A compilation of production costs, unit revenue and margins, issued by Don Bell of California, illustrates the folly of ignoring the most basic principle of economics. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Monday 14 August 2006

The Doha Round. Rest in Peace

It only took two days for representatives to the Geneva "make-or-break" meeting at the end of July, intended to save the Doha Round, to realize the state of deadlock which exists with respect to agricultural subsidies and unfettered trade access. By Simon Shane

Author: Guest Bloggers | Friday 11 August 2006

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