GERMANY, July 12, 2004 -- German dairy farmers exceeded their milk quota by 362,000 MT or 1.3 percent in milk year 2003/04. This is the highest amount that they have overshot their milk quota since 1996/97. As a result farmers have to pay a superlevy of U.S. $ 158 million (Euro 129 million) in total.

INDONESIA, July 12, 2004 -- On June 25, 2004, the GOI-Ministry of Agriculture announced a temporary ban on imports of animal products, raw materials for feed, machinery, and animal health products from Brazil and Peru due to new cases of foot and mouth disease. This will most notably impact imports of soybean meal from Brazil.

QATAR, July 12, 2004 -- Per Circular No. 10/2004, dated June 8, 2004, Qatar lifted the ban on imports of U.S. unprocessed poultry meats and table eggs imposed since February 12, 2004 due to the incidence of Avian Influenza in the United States. The ban on imports of unprocessed poultry meats and table eggs from the States of Delaware and Texas remains in effect. The above circular signed on June 8, 2004 was notified to the concerned authorities and the trade in late June.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, July 12, 2004 -- This report provides information on the food import rules for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. It includes information on labeling, packaging, food additives, and import procedures. Important points of contact for U.S. food exporters are listed in the appendices.

SLOVAKIA, July 12, 2004 -- The Slovak Republic ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in November 2003. Since January 2003, Slovakia has participated in the UNEP/GEF (United Nations Environmental Program / Global Environmental Fund) Project of the National Biosafety Framework. This project started in June 2001 and was designed to assist 100 countries set up national frameworks for managing living modified organisms and meet the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol. In May 2004, Slovakia began developing a modern Control and Monitoring System for GMOs that includes an inspection system, equipment, and monitoring plans.

TURKEY, July 12, 2004 -- Turkey has become one of the leading processors of bovine hides and sheepskins in the world as a result of continued investment by Turkish tanneries and leather goods producers. Prior to the Russian economic crisis in 1998 Turkey represented a $27 million a year market for U.S. hides and skins. During the past four years, U.S. exports have continued to climb as the Turkish economy rebounds, reaching almost $38 million in 2003. Although the United States is considered a reliable supplier of high quality skins, many importers are unfamiliar with U.S. standards. While price is important, quality and reliability of suppliers are valued even more highly.

TURKEY, July 12, 2004 -- Turkey's MY2004 cotton area and production is expected to increase slightly to 720,000 hectares and 930,000 MT. Most observers believe cotton production will fluctuate between 900,000 MT and 1 MMT during the next three years depending on market and weather conditions. Expansion in the Southeast will compensate for declining area in traditional cotton-growing areas, particularly in the Cukurova and to a lesser degree, Aegean regions.

TURKEY, July 12, 2004 -- MT 2004 area and production is projected at 715,000 hectares and 925,000 MT, slightly above last year's estimates. Domestic consumption is expected to rebound in MY 2004 to 1.35 MMT following steps by the government to stop low priced yarn and fabric imports. Total imports during the first seven months off MY 2003 reached 246,400 MT. U.S. cotton imports constitute more than fifty percent of total imports.

AUSTRIA, July 12, 2004 -- The GOA has amended the 1975 Austrian Food Law to conform to the new EU Traceability and Labeling (T&L) regulations regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Public enforcement agencies are planning to carry out inspections to control ingredients and oversee labeling of possibly affected foodstuffs. Due to widespread public skepticism towards GMOs, Austrian retailers have informally agreed to ban all agricultural biotechnology that would have to be labeled according to T&L restrictions. The food industry will use paper trail and identity preservation (IP) systems to control and document this policy.