Sydney | Reuters — Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott backed plans on Thursday to introduce country-of-origin labelling in the wake of a hepatitis A outbreak, potentially risking contravention of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. With 18 confirmed cases of hepatitis A linked to consumption of berries sold by Patties Foods Ltd., Abbott said he had […] Read more
Australia plans country-of-origin labelling after hep A outbreak
Australia tightens rules over foreign buying of farmland
Sydney | Reuters –– Australia tightened rules on Wednesday over foreign ownership of its agricultural land amid concerns that it is losing control of its own food security, slashing the amount beyond which land purchases would require regulatory approval. From March 1, foreign purchases of agricultural land over A$15 million (C$14.51 million) will be subject […] Read more
Australian drought seen staying until 2015, likely to boost cattle slaughter
Sydney | Reuters –– Drought conditions across Australia’s east coast are unlikely to improve before 2015, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said, fuelling expectations that beef supply from the world’s No. 3 exporter may beat estimates as wilting pastures force farmers to slaughter more animals. Queensland, Australia’s largest cattle producing state — home to about […] Read more
Bunge plans new grain terminal in GrainCorp country
Sydney | Reuters — Agricultural trading house Bunge plans to build a port terminal on Australia’s east coast, boosting competition for the country’s largest agribusiness, GrainCorp. Bunge Australia said on Wednesday the terminal would be built in Geelong, Victoria, with capacity to export 45,000 tonnes of grain a year. The proposed new port is likely […] Read more
Australian organic farmer loses landmark GMO contamination case
Sydney | Reuters — An organic farmer in Western Australia lost his bid to claim damages from a neighbour after genetically modified (GMO) canola seed heads blew onto his property, causing him to lose his licence as an organic grower. The Supreme Court of Western Australia ruled on Wednesday against organic farmer Steve Marsh, who […] Read more
Australia says drought to cut 2014-15 ag output
Canberra | Reuters — Drought conditions across Australia’s east coast will cut production of key agricultural commodities such as wheat and beef next season and reduce exports, the government’s chief commodities forecaster said on Tuesday. The current season could see Australia, the world’s third-largest wheat exporter, produce a bumper wheat crop, with increased plantings and […] Read more
Bumper Australian wheat crop seen, but lack of rain a risk
Sydney | Reuters — Australia will issue its 2014-15 wheat production forecast next week, but with hot, dry weather across its east coast and the threat of a dry El Nino weather pattern developing, the supply picture from the world’s second largest exporter is uncertain. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture, Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) […] Read more
Australia commits nearly $300M to help drought-hit farmers
Sydney | Reuters — The Australian government will provide a A$320 million (C$319 million) assistance package to help farmers ravaged by years of drought across the east coast, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday. With pockets of Queensland and New South Wales recording the lowest-ever rainfall levels, farmers in the world’s third-biggest beef exporter […] Read more
Landmark GM canola case pits neighbour against neighbour in Australia
Sydney | Reuters — Two neighbouring farmers, a field of canola and a gust of wind are at the centre of a landmark court case in Australia that could have consequences for the controversial growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. Steve Marsh is suing former childhood friend Michael Baxter after harvested seed […] Read more
Australian ranchers set for drought-relieving rains
Sydney | Reuters — Australian cattle farmers will receive much-needed rains in the next two days, forecasters said Wednesday, offering some relief to ranchers struggling to keep animals alive during a period of prolonged drought in the world’s No. 3 beef exporter. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said much of prime Queensland pastoral land, home […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
