MEXICO, March 29, 2004 -- *TAX ON HFCS WILL CONTINUE DESPITE THE WTO DEMAND *MEXICO-UNITED STATES CLOSE TO A SWEETENER AGREEMENT *POULTRY PRODUCERS COULD REQUEST A CLOSING OF THE BORDER *THE NAFTA BINATIONAL PANEL ON BEEF CONTROVERSY DECIDES FAVORABLY FOR THE UNITED STATES *IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER; THAT'S WHY THEY BREW IT IN MEXICO *SMUGGLING OF DRY BEANS *DRY BEAN IMPORTS THROUGH COURT INJUNCTIONS *DRY BEAN IMPORTERS EVADE TAXES *FAVORABLE OUTLOOK FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTS *INFORMAL SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF GDP

EUROPEAN UNION, March 29, 2004 -- This weekly report contains data on rice prices in the U.S., Thailand and the EU. It also lists current import duties and export subsidies in the EU. All information will be published as such in the USDA publication "Rice Market News".

VIETNAM, March 29, 2004 -- Prices (domestic and export prices) were up at high level but just for indication. No firm offers were made.

HAITI, March 29, 2004 -- Exporter Guide for Haiti.

CANADA, March 29, 2004 -- Self-operated institutional foodservice, full-service and limited-service restaurants, as well as healthy style foods, lead Canadian foodservice opportunities.

MEXICO, March 29, 2004 -- Once again, the Government of Mexico (GOM) has modified import requirements for U.S. Pet Food.

JAPAN, March 29, 2004 -- The Japanese Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications will commission a task force to evaluate development and implementation of a government-wide system of public comment, according to the Nihon Keizai Shinbun.

JAPAN, March 29, 2004 -- To assist local government administrators as they respond to these parental concerns about the sick house syndrome, the Japanese Ministry of Education and Science has developed new guidelines to encourage the use of wood in kindergartens.

JAPAN, March 29, 2004 -- The government of Japan has begun regulating volatile organic compounds for some processed wood products, including fiberboards. This has particularly affected imports of medium density fiberboard, which are down in 2003.