In The News

Chicken Exports: Watana Threatens Retaliation

February 4, 2004
As more humans are infected by the avian flu in Asia, Thailand's chicken exports are not faring well. Many countries, including Japan, are rejecting Thai chicken exports until they are assured that the avian flu is no longer a problem. Larger-scale commercial farms and some Thai officials are promoting the use of modern, covered chicken houses to contain the spread of the virus. But the...

WTO Rice Import Talks

January 29, 2004
After much outside pressure and great internal dissent, South Korea has announced its willingness to consider liberalizing rice imports. The country currently allows only a small percentage of its domestic rice demand to be met by imports. Yet to comply with rules set by the World Trade Organization, the government in Seoul must either incrementally increase rice imports or liberalize the...

WHO, FAO Call for Global Fight to Halt Bird Flu

January 27, 2004
In Vietnam, another case of the bird flu has been found in a human. More worrying is that the flu has spread all across Southeast Asia as well as into Pakistan. Should the virus jump species, as did SARS, another major epidemic may be at hand. The World Health Organization has asked for an unspecified amount of money, saying that a vaccine may take up to six months to develop. Farmers are urged...

Human Bird Flu Cases Confirmed in Thailand

Nopporn Wong-Anan January 23, 2004
As six Thais tested positive for the bird flu, World Health Organization (WHO) officials raised alarm over a potential epidemic. The flu is believed to be carried by migrating birds, and could infect individuals in several countries. A potential epidemic will not only create a global public health crisis, but impede economic growth and tourism in the Asia- Pacific region. The bird flu outbreak...

Will Washington Return to Supporting Freer Trade?

Susan Ariel Aaronson January 20, 2004
Has the US led the world in promoting a pro-free trade agenda? Looking at the rhetoric emanating from Washington in the early days of the Bush administration, one may think so, says globalization scholar Susan Ariel Aaronson. But looking at Washington's actions over the past two years, we must reach a different conclusion, she argues. US intransigence on decreasing subsidies to its...

Germany to Allow Import of GMOs

Kristina Merkner January 16, 2004
Long known for its opposition to genetically modified organisms, Germany will soon allow the cultivation and sale of GM foods. The minister for consumer protection, food, and agriculture, herself a member of the pro-environment Green party, says the new laws will benefit farmers looking to grow GM crops but also give consumers a choice through mandatory labeling of all GM foods. Other anti-GM...

N. Korea Displays 'Nuclear Deterrent'

Glenn Kessler January 11, 2004
A group of American observers visiting North Korean nuclear facilities are expected to report that Pyongyang does indeed have the plutonium it needs to produce nuclear weapons. The group is due to testify to the US Congress next week, but Pyongyang is already saying that it showed the unofficial delegation North Korea's 'nuclear deterrent'. Meanwhile, China is said to be trying...