Economy

• Tuesday, February 15th 2011 - 19:26 UTC

  France warns it wants EU/Mercosur farmers subject to the same “strict” rules

  

  France warned Tuesday that it is following closely European Union/Mercosur trade talks to ensure that farmers from both blocks are strictly subjected to the same rules.

• Tuesday, February 15th 2011 - 11:35 UTC

  Extreme weather and panic buying send wheat soaring to new highs

  

  Countries anxious to avoid a repeat of the 2007-2008 global food crisis when they were caught short of grain supplies, have stepped up their buying programs and are driving prices to new highs.

• Tuesday, February 15th 2011 - 05:34 UTC

  US farmers have planted the biggest crop in 13 years reports USDA

  

  United States farmers have planted the biggest crop in thirteen years according to a report released by the US Department of Agriculture which estimated the area sown to the eight major field crops in 2011 at 103.3 million hectares.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 23:54 UTC

  Former UK farmers’ leader calls for stricter foot and mouth disease controls

  

  A leading farmer form South West England has called for new measures to stop another outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the UK. Anthony Gibson, former regional director of the National Farmers Union, wants disinfectant footbaths for travellers arriving from problem areas.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 23:47 UTC

  Roubini warns of “hard landing” if developing countries don’t control inflation

  

  Nouriel Roubini the New York University professor, who predicted the credit crisis, said China and other emerging markets risk a “hard landing” as they start raising interest rates to fight inflation.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 23:37 UTC

  Uruguay manufacturing recovered mildly in 2010: “industry is stagnant”

  

  Uruguay’s manufacturing industry expanded 4.5% in 2010, but if the pulp industry hub is excluded the percentage drops to 3.5%, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Institute, INE.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 22:32 UTC

  South Korea leaves basic rate unchanged at 2.75%; inflation running at 4%

  

  South Korea's central bank has left its main interest rate unchanged at 2.75%, bucking a trend that has seen borrowing costs rise across Asia as policymakers try to slow inflation.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 21:50 UTC

  Political agreement in Paraguay to impose export levies on soybeans and beef

  

  The Paraguayan government is working with Congress to agree on budget cuts and possible tax increases, (levies on beef and soybean exports) that should help balance 2011 expenditure and revenue.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 21:10 UTC

  Indian company to begin Bolivian iron-ore exports; a million tons the first year

  

  India’s Jindal Steel & Power plans this year to export 1 million tons of iron ore concentrate from Bolivia’s El Mutun mine, the firm said. Following on some problems that have been overcome, exports will begin in March reported Jindal Bolivia’s communications manager, Eduardo Prudencio.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 21:07 UTC

  Argentina hopes to reach an agreement with the Paris Club this month

  

  Argentina’s Economy Minister Amado Boudou heads to France this week to participate in the G20 ministers meeting and will take advantage of the trip to further advance tentative negotiations to resolve the defaulted debt Argentina has with the Paris Club.