Canada commits CAD 200,000 to support developing-country exports of safe, quality food

 

25 Mar 2022 Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS, Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website which match with your news preferences.

NEWS ITEM Canada commits CAD 200,000 to support developing-country exports of safe, quality food Canada is contributing CAD 200,000 (approximately CHF 150,000) to help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) engage more actively in global agricultural trade. The grant to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) aims to support countries in meeting international food safety, and animal and plant health standards, enabling them to access global and regional markets more easily. Press release   ⟶

 

USDA Accepting Applications for United Kingdom Trade Mission WASHINGTON, March 23, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for an agricultural trade mission to the United Kingdom (U.K.) June 22-24, 2022. The mission offers U.S. growers, producers, and exporters the opportunity to explore this dynamic market and to meet the consumer demand in the U.K. Consumer-oriented foods and beverages are the most important sector for U.S. agricultural exports to the U.K, accounting for more than $1 billion of the $2.7 billion of exported U.S. agricultural and related products to the U.K in 2021. The USDA-sponsored trade mission to the U.K. is one of four upcoming international trade missions Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on March 11 that support USDA’s commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for U.S. agriculture and exporters. “The U.K. is the third-largest economy in Europe and its consumers demand the world-class products available from U.S. agriculture producers,” said Vilsack. “This mission can open doors to this critical market for U.S. ag exporters regardless of their size and products.” As U.K.’s demand for U.S. consumer-oriented food and beverages increases, the market delivers strong potential for U.S. exporters of processed products, dried and processed fruit, nuts, fish and seafood, fresh produce, organic products, U.S. ethanol, wood pellets and more. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will provide trade mission delegates a platform to conduct face-to-face meetings for the first time since the pandemic began and receive in-depth market briefings and tours from FAS and industry trade experts who can facilitate the export of U.S. products to the U.K. The deadline to apply for the U.K. trade mission is April 8. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions or email trademissions@usda.gov. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. #

The following GAIN reports were released on March 24, 2022. _______   Brazil: Brazil Eliminates Import Tariffs for Ethanol through December 2022  On Monday, March 21st, the Government of Brazil (GOB) decided to temporarily eliminate the import tariff of ethanol, as well as five other agricultural products (coffee, margarine, cheese, spaghetti, sugar, and soybean oil). The decision was made at a meeting of the Executive Management Committee (GECEX) of the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX), in order to help mediate rising gasoline prices. Zeroing the tariff should benefit exports of U.S. ethanol to Brazil, which have been negatively impacted by tariffs since 2017.   India: Cotton and Products Annual FAS Mumbai (Post) forecasts MY 2022/23 cotton production will increase by five percent to 27.7 million 480 lb. bales on an area of 12.7 million hectares, two percent higher than last year. Yields are expected to improve by two percent to 475 kilograms per hectare on the expectation of a normal monsoon. Mill consumption is estimated to rise by three percent based on continued robust textile export demand. Exports are expected to expand by ten percent to 5.5 million bales due to greater exportable supplies along with larger global supplies that keep Indian cotton prices competitive. Imports are expected to rise by 50 percent to 1.5 million bales based on the expectation of local traders that the Government of India will reduce or remove the tariff on extra-long staple cotton to help local industry achieve their textile export targets.   Morocco: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report On October 12, 2021, the United States and Morocco completed a sanitary certificate for exports of U.S. live aquatic animals to Morocco. The completion of this certificate offers new opportunities for U.S. exporters of live aquatic animals intended for farming. This report provides information on export certificates that the Government of Morocco requires. The Moroccan food safety authority, “Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires” (ONSSA) is the national authority responsible for ensuring food safety and food regulations in the country.   Philippines: Grain and Feed Annual FAS Manila forecasts Market Year (MY) 2022/23 milled rice production will reach 12.4 million metric tons (MT), flat with the previous year’s near-record high. The Philippine government’s support programs will help rice farmers partially offset rising input costs. Rice imports are seen at 2.8 million MT, 200,000 MT lower than MY 2021/22. Post forecasts MY 2022/23 wheat imports declining 3 percent to 6.3 million MT, as the Ukraine conflict results in rising prices and supply challenges. Corn is expected to supplement some feed wheat demand, while milling wheat consumption is seen slightly declining for more affordable rice. Corn production in MY 2022/23 is forecast at 8.3 million MT, rebounding from the previous year’s lower level. Post forecasts MY 2022/23 corn imports at 750,000 MT, as feed wheat prices are elevated by the Ukraine conflict.   South Africa: Grain and Feed Annual After exceptional consecutive production seasons of solid growth supported by relatively high commodity prices and favorable weather conditions, wheat and corn producers in South Africa are optimistically looking forward to the 2022 production season. However, the availability and cost of production inputs, especially fertilizer, are discouraging a more bullish production outlook. The cost of farming inputs more than doubled the past year, increasing the risk of production in a weather dependent industry. As a result, Post forecasts that South Africa’s corn area will stay flat in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, while wheat area will increase by a modest 10 percent. However, South Africa should maintain its status as a net exporter of corn in MY 2022/23 with exports of around 2.5 million metric tons (MMT), while wheat and wheat products imports should remain at 1.7 MMT. South Africa’s rice imports are expected to increase by three percent to 1.1 MMT on a marginal growth in demand.   Tanzania: Grain and Feed Annual MY2022/23 corn production is forecast to decrease by approximately 16 percent to 5.9 million metric tons (MMT) due to drought conditions, fall armyworm infestations, and high fertilizer prices. Rice and wheat imports will continue to rise in MY2022/23 to 1.23 MMT and 250,000 metric tons (MT), respectively to offset domestic production declines and satisfy rising food demand.   Turkey: Food Processing Ingredients Turkey’s food sector is diverse and growing, despite COVID-19 and recent economic difficulties. COVID-19 prompted a health and wellness trend among many middle-class consumers, who are looking for healthier processed and packaged food products. Turkey’s food and beverage sector depends on domestic and imported ingredients, a large portion of which are sourced from Europe. European ingredients enjoy zero or low import duties under preferential trade agreements, as well as lower freight costs.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΥ ΒΕΝΙΖΕΛΟΥ,Ανάρτηση για την 25η Μαρτίου

 25 Μαρτίου 2022

 

Ανάρτηση Ευάγγελου Βενιζέλου

 

 

Ευχαριστώ από καρδιάς για τις ευχές σας.

Αντεύχομαι υγεία σε όλες και όλους.

 

Από τότε που ήμουν παιδί μου φαινόταν περίεργο που η ονομαστική μου γιορτή συνέπιπτε με την εθνική μας γιορτή, την επέτειο της Επανάστασης. Ένιωθα ότι δεν έχω ιδιωτικό χώρο. Ότι όλα συντελούνται στον δημόσιο  χώρο. Ακόμη και τα γενέθλια μου είναι την πρωτοχρονιά. Μια οικουμενική γιορτή, τουλάχιστον για τη δυτική αίσθηση του χρόνου.  Από την άλλη πλευρά, δεν είχα ποτέ περιθώριο να νιώσω μόνος ή περίκλειστος στον οικογενειακό και φιλικό μου κύκλο τις γιορτινές αυτές ημέρες.

 

Τώρα πια ξέρω ότι αυτό ήταν  μια μεγάλη εύνοια της τύχης. Την οφείλω στον παππού μου της πατρικής πλευράς, τον παπά Βαγγέλη, από το Τραχήλι της Ν. Εύβοιας, κληρικό τρίτης γενιάς, που έφυγε νέος και ταλαιπωρημένος από τις δυσκολίες της ζωής το 1968. Αυτού το όνομα φέρω. Μου προσέφερε το προνόμιο να γιορτάζω και προσωπικά την υπέροχα οργανωμένη σύμπτωση του διπλού Ευαγγελισμού.

 

Πέρσι γιορτάσαμε τη μεγάλη επέτειο των διακοσίων ετών από την έναρξη της Επανάστασης. Έχω όμως την εντύπωση ότι ο πραγματικός και βαθύς αναστοχασμός (ας μου επιτραπεί να παραπέμψω έτσι στο τίτλο του βιβλίου μου Παλιγγενεσία και Αναστοχασμός, Εκδόσεις Πατάκη, 2021), συντελείται φέτος, τον τελευταίο μήνα, με τη ρωσική εισβολή και τον πόλεμο στην Ουκρανία. Τώρα διεξάγεται η αναψηλάφηση βασικών στερεοτύπων του εθνικού μας αφηγήματος και οξύνεται το ενδιαφέρον για τον θεμελιώδη προσανατολισμό και τη θέση της χώρας στον δυτικό κόσμο, στην επικράτεια της φιλελεύθερης δημοκρατίας.

 

Ως δικό μου μικρό προκαταβολικό αντίδωρο για τις ευχές σας, ας θεωρηθεί η συζήτηση που οργάνωσε ο Κύκλος Ιδεών, προχθές, 23.3.2022, με θέμα «Απαντήσεις του 1821 στα γεωπολιτικά διλήμματα του 2022». Συζητήσαμε με τον Αριστείδη Χατζή υπό τον συντονισμό της Νόνης Καραγιάννη.

 

Όλα μπορούν να είναι προφανή, τίποτα δυστυχώς δεν είναι αυτονόητο και δεδομένο.

 

Χρόνια πολλά !

 

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=506288250862420&id=100044437479461

Από το Γραφείο Τύπου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας εκδόθηκε η ακόλουθη ανακοίνωση:

 

Αθήνα, 25 Μαρτίου 2022 Από το Γραφείο Τύπου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας εκδόθηκε η ακόλουθη ανακοίνωση: «Η κ. Φωτίου και ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ επιβεβαιώνουν ότι στηρίζουν οργανωτικά την αποκαλούμενη “Συναυλία Ειρήνης”. Μια συναυλία όπου, αντίθετα με την ανακοίνωση που αναγκάστηκαν να βγάλουν, δεν υπάρχουν πουθενά οι λέξεις ρωσική εισβολή. Εξομοιώνοντας έτσι τον θύτη με τα θύματα, ουσιαστικά αθωώνουν τον θύτη. Καμία έκπληξη. Ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ απλώς επιβεβαιώνει με μια ακόμη ευκαιρία και για μία ακόμη φορά την καιροσκοπική στάση “ναι μεν αλλά” που τηρεί από την πρώτη ημέρα της επίθεσης της Ρωσίας στην Ουκρανία».

United States Department of Labor:"One Year as Your Secretary of Labor: A Message from Secretary Walsh"

 ing the 29th Secretary of Labor, Secretary Walsh reflects on how much the administration has accomplished to support America’s workers.

U.S. Department of Labor

March 25, 2022

On March 23, 2021, I was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as the 29th Secretary of Labor for the United States of America. As the son of immigrants from Ireland and as someone who started my career on a construction site as a union laborer, it was the dream of a lifetime. Now, one year later, I’m in awe of how much we can accomplish when we come together in service to the working people of America. Our team at the Department of Labor – in partnership with workers, unions, employers, government leaders at every level and advocates on every issue – helped millions of workers during one of the toughest times in our history. We got people back to work safely and made tremendous strides forward in our goal of empowering all workers morning, noon and night. In my travels across the country I’ve seen how this work changes people’s lives, and I’ve seen how much more work is still to be done to build a truly equitable economy. I am filled with optimism for what lies ahead, and eager to continue our work together. If we can get this much done in a year, I believe there’s no limit to what we can achieve for America’s workers moving forward. In solidarity, Marty Walsh U.S. Secretary of Labor Celebrating Rosie’s legacy Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon joined tradeswomen at a roundtable hosted by the Rosie the Riveter Trust in California this week to discuss closing the wage gap and empowering women in the workforce. She also visited the Rosie the Riveter Historic Park in Richmond and met with two women who worked at the shipyards in World War II. Read more about our efforts to uphold the Rosie legacy and support today’s workers. Workforce training and good jobs On the West Coast this week, Secretary Walsh highlighted the value of workforce training in strengthening the nation’s economy with elected officials, Tribal leaders and others. The visit followed the recent announcement of the department’s “Good Jobs Initiative,” a coordinated effort led by the Department of Labor to improve job quality nationwide. $71M to support employment readiness for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians We’re making $71 million in funding available to expand training and employment opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, where high unemployment rates and lower levels of education have contributed to an ongoing cycle of unemployment and poverty. Protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law A 2020 rule undermined OFCCP’s ability to advance its mission and remove barriers to equal employment opportunity in federal contracting. A new proposed rule would fix the problems created by the 2020 rule and realign the agency’s procedures and mission. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT $1.45M restored Three restaurants and their owners must pay $1.45 million in back wages and damages to 116 workers who were denied overtime wages. Opioid grants We awarded $2,833,333 to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to train and employ participants for jobs to address the impacts of the opioid crisis. Comments requested OSHA has reopened the rulemaking record and scheduled a public hearing on a proposed final rule to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19. The ACA at 12 On the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we reflect on how it made health coverage more accessible and affordable for millions. Safety citations OSHA cited a packaging manufacturer for failing to follow safety requirements that could have prevented a worker from suffering severe burns from hot liquid plastic. DATA SPOTLIGHT Historic recovery continues When President Biden took office in January 2021, more than 800,000 new unemployment insurance claims were being filed each week. Today, we're seeing the lowest level for initial claims since September 1969. HISTORY HIGHLIGHT Women in American mines Throughout America’s history, women have played a critical role in mines and mining operations, often in the face of prejudice and other hardships.