Compare that with only a 49 percent increase overall in agricultural imports, or a mere 26 percent jump in imports from Canada, the United States' number one provider. And the Chinese influx shows no signs of stopping: In the first three months of 2007, Chinese agricultural imports increased by 30 percent from the same period in 2006. Despite holding steady in the standings, the amount imported from China has grown at a daunting rate: Since 2002, imports of Chinese agricultural, fish and...

The Prairie Star: Opinion The Prairie Star. Just when you thought you'd heard just about everything, along comes a New York Times op-ed piece that blames the obesity and bad eating habits of the American people right on the front step of the American farmers and the farm bill. Noting that the farm bill, among other things, determines which crops will be subsidized, he claims that in the case of the Twinkies and the carrots, the farm bill &#8220offers a lot more support to the cake than to...

Chinese exporters have been asked to register with the government and adopt other measures in an attempt to provide greater assurance on the safety of their products. The requests come after a series of problems with Chinese exports which have resulted in toxic materials being found in toothpaste, fish and pet food. Following requests from officials in the United States, Chinese authorities are apparently now making closer checks on food exports. Concern has arisen following a number of...

He said 250 agribusiness executives, food exporters and farm group leaders will meet in Havana for three days to negotiate new contracts. farm state delegation after another has gone to Havana this year to pitch sales of wheat, corn, beans, peas, lentils, chicken and other products needed by communist Cuba to feed its people. Cuba expects to sign deals worth $150 million with American food producers at talks starting on Monday that point to sustained U. sales to Cuba are allowed on a...

STPNS - Is ethanol really worth it? , Westmoreland County, Virginia. So while food prices appear inexpensive, there is the hidden cost of subsidies-- 72 percent of which is paid to the top ten percent of farmers according to statistics provided by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an independent think tank on agriculture and environmental issues. So while food prices appear inexpensive, there is the hidden cost of subsidies-- 72 percent of which is paid to the top ten percent of...

Rice as a source of electricity. May 27, 2007 . User rating: not rated yet (AP) -- Kathy Choi touches a kiosk screen, then looks up at a larger wall screen to see digitally created yellowish-brown mounds snaking through bright green grassland dotted with brilliant blue rivers and lakes. German bank Wirecard is among the four investors that recently purchased banking licenses issued by the virtual community of Entropia Universe. May 26, 2007 . User rating: not rated yet ClearCube, a...