INDIA, June 10, 2004 -- On May 31, 2004, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, issued a Gazette notification amending certain provisions of the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, pertaining to treatment of wood packaging materials. The new Order exempts wood packing material appropriately treated and marked per ISPM-15 from the phytosanitary certificate requirement, and delays implementation of this clause until November 1, 2004.

INDIA, June 10, 2004 -- *High-level Biotech Panel proposes new Regulatory Body*, *No compromise at WTO, says Ag Minister*, *Exports of wheat and rice ruled out*, *National Biotech Policy in the cards*, *Tariff value on crude soybean oil reduced*, *Edible oil sector seek import protection*, *BANGLADESH: American food promotion begins in Dhaka*, *BANGLADESH: Danish support for country's agro-processing industry*, *BANGLADESH: Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) hesitant to join global move to defer MFA phase-out*.

EU-25, June 10, 2004 -- The EU and Mercosur's negotiators have exchanged improved offers for a bilateral trade agreement. The EU offer includes granting trade access to 1 MMT of ethanol and 100,000 MT of beef, though there are conditions attached. Details of the Mercosur offer have not been published, but off the record Commission officials have said that it doesn't go far enough. EU Commissioners for trade and agriculture, Lamy and Fischler respectively will meet their Mercosur counterparts in Mexico during the last week of May, while the next round of technical negotiations are scheduled for mid-June.

TURKEY, June 10, 2004 -- MY 2004 total tobacco production is estimated to be about 153,750 MT. Oriental tobacco production is decreasing while non-oriental tobacco production shows a modest increase. Low export prices led to increased oriental tobacco exports that reached 107,870 MT in 2003. Non-oriental tobacco imports continue to increase due to increased demand for blended cigarettes. Imports from the United States continue to decline due to high cost. The GOT canceled Tekel's cigarette production unit privatization tender due to low bidding

BURMA, June 10, 2004 -- Export activity is strong due to purchase orders from overseas buyers. Prices are firm. After India, who took 69 percent of exports, China was the second major importer of Burma's beans and pulses, with 13 percent.

PAKISTAN, June 10, 2004 -- MY 2004/05 Pakistan wheat import forecast increases to 500,000 MT with expectation the amount could climb as high as 1.5 Million Metric Ton (MMT) to stabilize wheat prices reacting to a smaller, poorer quality harvest, smaller procurement levels by government food departments and rising wheat product prices.

BELIZE, June 10, 2004 -- This report contains information on food laws, labeling requirements, pesticides, copyrights and trade mark laws, import procedures, tariffs and customs clearance for the import of food and agricultural products into Belize.

MEXICO, June 10, 2004 -- This report is a summary translation of the Government of Mexico (GOM) study on the effects of NAFTA on Mexican agriculture -- a study which was mandated in 2003's National Agreement on Agriculture. The report states that there have been mixed results in Mexico's agricultural sector over the past ten years, but that these cannot be attributed solely to NAFTA given the complexity of factors involved and certain policies and conditions which predate NAFTA. The study concludes by recommending that the GOM adopt a long-term rural policy aimed at increasing the agriculture sector's share of GDP and ensuring greater efficiency, productivity and international competitiveness.