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International Market Analysis Just a Mouse Click Away

December 29, 2011 Michael Sheats, Director of the Poultry Market News and Analysis Division

U.S. broiler meat exports to Sub-Saharan Africa have increased 24 percent since 2010 and 460 percent since 2001. The U.S. is the largest supplier of China’s turkey meat imports, totaling nearly 90 percent of all imports. Turkey meat imports to China in 2011 will increase 70 percent over 2010.

Trade

U.S., China Plant Seeds for Stable Global Growth

December 28, 2011 Dr. Paul Zankowski, Commissioner of the AMS Plant Variety Protection Office

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently hosted two examiners from China who were on hand to learn the U.S. system for examining new plant variety applications. AMS’s Plant Variety Protection Office and the American Seed Trade Association invited Yang Yang and Lingo Gao from China’s...

Animals Plants

World Veterinary Year Celebrates More than Just a Profession

December 27, 2011 Rebecca Frank, New Media Content Specialist, Office of Communications

In any large organization, it can be easy to overlook the contributions of individuals, each with unique stories and perspective. With this in mind, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) was proud to mark the 250 th anniversary of the veterinary profession by offering a series of...

Animals Plants

Closing Thoughts on World Veterinary Year

December 22, 2011 Dr. Gregory Parham, APHIS Administrator

World Veterinary Year, celebrating the 250 th anniversary of the veterinary profession, culminated in the 30th World Veterinary Congress Closing Ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa in October. This year of recognition provided the opportunity to share the many contributions veterinarians have made...

Animals Plants

Hawaii’s Big Island Flavor Steams into the Canadian Market

December 22, 2011 Katie Gorscak, Foreign Agricultural Service, Public Affairs

Hawaii Exports International (HEI) of Honolulu has successfully introduced its award-winning Kona and Ka’u coffees to the Canadian market with the support of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Canada, the FAS-funded Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), and the...

Trade

USDA 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum: Sessions Focusing on Disease Prevention and Response

December 21, 2011 Brian Ronholm, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety

USDA’s 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum, Feb. 23-24, will present 25 breakout sessions, including “Preventing Disease From Crossing the Border: SPS Initiatives for Global Food Security” and “Fighting Foodborne Illness.” While the first session will focus on the contribution of animal health to global...

Health and Safety Animals Plants

Giving Citrus this Holiday Season? Four Things You Need to Know

December 19, 2011 Lawrence Hawkins, APHIS Public Affairs Specialist, Sacramento, CA

If you are looking to give a thoughtful, healthy gift this holiday season, citrus is the way to go. But beware of infected citrus fruit and plants, especially if you plan to buy citrus online. Before you give citrus, here are four things you should know:

Animals Plants

Don’t Lose Your Holiday Cheer: Avoid Having Your Imported Holiday Food Items Seized

December 16, 2011 Greg Rosenthal, APHIS Public Affairs Specialist, Riverdale, MD

Importing foods from abroad can make the holidays more meaningful and fun. But please take care when bringing any food or agricultural items into the United States—whether you’re returning from an international trip or ordering online. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) restricts or prohibits...

Animals Plants

From Art Student to APHIS Veterinarian, Dr. Karen James-Preston on World Vet Year

December 16, 2011 Dr. Karen James-Preston, Director of APHIS’ Veterinary Services National Center for Import and Export

Hello, I’m Dr. Karen James-Preston. I’m work for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, as Director of the Veterinary Services’ National Center for Import and Export, Animal Products. My staff and I work every day to make sure animal products are safely imported into the United...

Animals Plants

Chief Economist Joseph Glauber on "Agriculture: Tomorrow's Power"

December 16, 2011 Brenda Chapin, OCE

For more than 65 years, the Oxford Farming Conference has built up a reputation as the most important of its kind in the UK and Europe. And this year, USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber will speak on the outlook for agriculture in light of the major global, climate and resource challenges...

Trade