EUROPEAN UNION, March 16, 2004 -- On February 19 European Commissioner David Byrne's first regular BSE report of the year was published, which indicates a 38 percent drop in the overall number of BSE cases in the European Union. The report also addresses: Evolution of BSE, Feed Ban, Increase of The Age Limit for Removal of Vertebral Column, Geographical BSE Risk (GBR) Assessment, BSE Status, BSE in USA, BSE in Portugal, BSE in the UK, Strain Typing of Scrapie Cases in Sheep and Goats and New Member States.

AUSTRIA, March 16, 2004 -- Heavy drought damages on oilseed winter rape cut down the total area of oilseeds in 2003 by 4,617 ha (11,409 acre) compared to the previous year and amounted to 102,436 ha (253,125 acre). Except for oilseed winter rape, where planted area declined by around one fifth in total, all other oilseed crops showed increased areas in 2003. Imports and exports of oilseeds rose considerably in 2002/03, whereas imports and exports of oilseeds oils were fairly stable.

MEXICO, March 16, 2004 -- Mexico has reopened its market to imports of U.S. boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age. Additionally, new import requirements for pet foods have been established following a temporary ban on pet food imports.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, March 16, 2004 -- Suzhou is a key industrial center near Shanghai, with a population of roughly 2.3 million. Foreign direct investment has outstripped even Shanghai, making this one of China's fastest growing and wealthiest cities.

INDONESIA, March 16, 2004 -- A new Presidential Decree has replaced the previous set of "quarantine" fees on a wide range of agricultural commodities and products. The new fees are significantly lower compared to the old structure. The new fee structure appears to be WTO inconsistent because different fees are levied on the same products depending on if it is being imported, exported or shipped within the country.