INDONESIA, August 17, 2004 -- On 11 August, FAS/Jakarta received a copy of a Ministry of Trade and Industry Decision that states imports of U.S. deboned beef, hearts, livers, semen, and embryos can resume. Product that has arrived in Indonesia after 15 July, 2004, will be allowed to enter.

INDIA, August 17, 2004 -- On August 6, 2004, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Agriculture, issued a Gazette announcement prohibiting imports of various poultry and pork products from all countries, and other poultry and pork products from those countries reporting the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, August 17, 2004 -- Russia's total grain crop is forecast at 75 million metric tons (mmt), due primarily to high yields in the Southern Federal District. Exports, comprised mostly of wheat, are forecast to increase to seven mmt. Prices are being pushed downward by a relatively large crop in European Russia and by early season sales or "gray" sales by farmers who need the revenue. Statements made earlier this year by the Ministry of Agriculture concerning market interventions to protect grain prices from plummeting have not yet been enacted.

UZBEKISTAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 17, 2004 -- Uzbekistan's MY2004/05 wheat harvest is almost complete. Wheat production is forecast at 5.2 million metric tons (MMT). Exports are expected to reach 400,000 tons. At the same time, hard wheat imports are estimated at 100,000 tons.

EU-25, August 17, 2004 -- On August 10, 2004, the European Commission tabled a report on the simplification of the common market organization (CMO) of fruit and vegetables. The report includes a list of open strategic questions regarding the future of the CMO and intends to stimulate a debate in the Council, the European Parliament and within the sector.

POLAND, August 17, 2004 -- A near record grain crop, 4.5 MMT larger than in 2003, has created fear among farmers that they will face severe marketing problems immediately after harvest. At the same time increased profits for livestock resulting from increased demand following Poland's May 1, 2004 EU accession will result in larger than previously estimated grain feed use.

POLAND, August 17, 2004 -- Poland's rapeseed crop harvest confirms a very large production increase. The crop is currently estimated at 1.3 MMT, which is more than 60% larger than last year and the highest since 1995.

COLOMBIA, August 17, 2004 -- Colombian wine and liquor legal imports and tax collections have dramatically increased due to the large reduction in consumption taxes in 2003.

MEXICO, August 17, 2004 -- Mexico's health food market is estimated in about $500 million per year. Domestic production covers around 70 percent and imports account for the remaining 30 percent. This market is expected to continue to grow at an annual average rate of 10 percent over the next five years

EU-25, August 17, 2004 -- The new President of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso has announced how he will allocate portfolios in the new Commission. Agriculture will be run by the Dane Mariann Fischer Boel, replacing Franz Fischler. The new Commissioner for Fisheries will be Joe Borg. Health and Consumer Protection, previously covered by David Byrne, will be covered by the Cypriot Markos Kyprianou. The new Trade Commissioner, replacing Lamy, will be the UK's Peter Mandelson. The Commissioners will take office in November, assuming their nominations are approved by the European Parliament and serve for a term of five years.

MEXICO, August 17, 2004 -- *MEXICO IS CONSIDERING OPENING THE BORDER TO BEEF AND POULTRY MEAT IMPORTS *SENATOR JOHN KERRY MAKES KNOWN HIS OPPOSITION TO NAFTA *KRAFT BEATING THE WAR DRUMS AGAINST THE IEPS TAX *UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS FOUND TRANSGENIC CONTAMINATES IN GRAINS *INFLATION UP IN JANUARY 2004

MEXICO, August 17, 2004 -- The Government of Mexico (GOM) continues to modify the import requirements for poultry products. On March 17, the GOM amended import requirements for poultry meat for the border region. A few days later, the GOM allowed imports of other products like turkey poults for repopulation of commercial farms and hatching eggs for repopulation of commercial broiler and table egg commercial farms (baby chicks, turkeys poults and hatching eggs grand-parent and parent stock repopulation had been granted earlier). The GOM has also recently allowed imports of poultry carcasses and bone-in turkey thigh meat for processing.

MEXICO, August 17, 2004 -- The Mexican government has officially announced the preliminary resolution of the investigation of dumping charges filed by the Mexican Pork Council (CMP) against importers and exporters of U.S. pork meat classified in tariff codes 0203.11.01, 0203.12.01, 0203.19.99, 0203.21.01, 0203.22.01 and 0203.29.99. Mexico has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to impose compensatory duties.