USDA Releases 180-Day Report on Avian Influenza Efforts and Supplemental Spending
The report details USDA's efforts both internationally and domestically to combat highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1). (06/29/06)

Transcript Of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns And U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Susan Schwab At A Press Conference On The WTO Development Agenda (06/27/06)
— WTO Talks To Begin In Geneva (USDA Radio News; 06/27/06 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S.-Oman Free Trade Legislation Sent to Congress (06/26/06)

United States and India Discuss Key Trade Issues
USTR Susan Schwab and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath commit to expand opportunities for trade and investment in the U.S. and India. (06/22/06)
— Fact Sheet: U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum (06/22/06)
— More about the U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum

USDA Secretary Says He Won't Be Satisfied Until U.S. Beef Is Back in Japan's Markets
In a statement released regarding the agreement to resume beef trade with Japan, Secretary Johanns announced that Japanese audit teams will arrive in the U.S. this weekend and conclude their work by July 21. Upon completion of the audits, Japan has agreed to "expeditiously resume beef trade."  (06/21/06)
— Japan Audits Could Lead To Beef Trade Resuming (USDA Radio News; 06/21/06 - real, mp3, wave)
— U.S., Japan Reach Agreement on Resumption of Beef Trade (U.S. Department of State; 06/21/06)

USDA Radio Reports on WTO Negotiations:
— No New WTO Proposal Say U.S. Officials: A top U.S. trade official says the U.S. is not bringing a new agreement proposal to the trade talks in Geneva next week. (06/22/06 - real, mp3)
— Ag Trade Talks Need To Get More Specific: Deputy USTR Peter Allgeier saying world trade negotiators still have not reached the point where they can discuss specific agricultural trade agreement guidelines. (06/22/06 - real, mp3)
— The U.S. Goal for Next Week’s Negotiating Session: Ambassador Peter Allgeier describing the U.S. goal or ambition for next week's talks and for the WTO negotiations as a whole. (06/22/06 - real, mp3)

USDA Trains Foreign Scientists on Avian Influenza Testing
The June 19-23 session for 24 scientists from 19 countries was the third in a series of train-the-trainers workshops on testing and diagnostics for highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.  (06/19/06)
— Foreign Scientists in U.S. Learn Bird Flu Testing Techniques (U.S. Department of State; 06/22/06)

USDA Radio Reports on USDA's AI Control Efforts:
— Rapid Response Readied For Bird Flu: USDA and other government agencies are ready to respond rapidly to any outbreak of avian flu. (06/21/06 - real, mp3, wave)
— U.S. Helping Other Countries With Avian Flu Control: Experts say the best way to keep avian flu from becoming a bigger problem is to attack it in countries where it exists today.(06/20/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S. To Mitigate Trade Effects of Bird Flu: Officials are already working on a plan that would help reduce the trade effects of any U.S. avian flu outbreak. (06/20/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S. Leads International Bird Flu Efforts: FAS official says the best way to safeguard the U.S. from bird flu is to go after it in countries which currently have outbreaks. (06/20/06 - real, mp3)
— Avian Flu Diagnosis Training Goes Global: Week-long Avian Influenza diagnostic training in Iowa features USDA officials and international representatives. (06/19/06 - real, mp3, wave)
— Global Scientists Gain From Avian Flu Diagnostic Training: Scientists are participating in the latest round of Avian Influenza diagnostic training, sponsored in part by USDA. (06/19/06 - real, mp3)
— Shared Learning During Avian Flu Training: Dr. Dennis Senne, ARS poultry researcher, says this week's AI Diagnostic Training will provide education for both global participants and researchers providing training. (06/19/06 - real, mp3)

WTO Still Divided Over Agricultural Tariffs, U.S. Negotiator Says
During a press briefing, Deputy Assistant USTR Hafemeister discussed the Doha Development Agenda and rebutted criticism of the U.S. proposal on domestic support. (06/16/06)
— Transcript of Press Briefing (.pdf; 06/16/06)
— U.S. Department of State Press Release (06/16/06)

USDA Radio Reports on Agricultural Trade:
— Promoting U.S. Food Products: FAS teams up with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to promote U.S. food products overseas. (06/20/06 - real, mp3)
— If You Get Into Exports Be Sure You Are Ready To Sell Overseas: People getting into the export sales business for the first time need to understand they must be ready to sell immediately. (06/19/06 - real, mp3)

USDA Radio Reports on U.S.–Mexican Trade Talks and NAFTA:
— U.S. and Mexico Discuss Byrd Amendment: The U.S. and Mexico discussed Mexico's retaliation concerning the U.S. Byrd Amendment on food products. (06/14/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S.–Mexican Biannual Trade Talks: Under Secretary of Agriculture J.B. Penn saying the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to extend an agreement on biannual cooperative agricultural talks. (06/14/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S., Mexico Will Not Renegotiate NAFTA: There are concerns on both sides of the border concerning full implementation of NAFTA. However, the U.S. and Mexico have agreed not to negotiate any new free trade agreements. (06/13/06 - real, mp3)
— Full Implementation of NAFTA: Under Secretary of Agriculture J.B. Penn talks about the implementation of NAFTA (06/13/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S. Mexican Duties and Countervailing Ones, Too: There was a lot of discussion on trade disputes at U.S.–Mexican trade talks. (06/13/06 - real, mp3)
— U.S., Mexico to Meet Over A Variety Of Ag Trade Issues (06/07/06 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S. Agricultural Trade Update
USDA's Economic Research Service released the June 2006 report on the quantity and value of U.S. farm exports and imports, plus price trends, keeping readers abreast of how U.S. agricultural trade stacks up in a global market. (06/12/06)

USDA Radio Reports on Growth in Farm Exports:
— Exports Still Running Ahead of Last Year: Even with a slow export month in April, U.S. farm exports are still running well ahead of a year ago. (06/15/06 - real, mp3)