The Philippines has announced it will provide US$2.3mn funds to address disease damaging the country’s banana industry
Crops
Regional seed cooperation among Asian nations to speed up release of rice varieties
A regional seed cooperation agreement among India, Bangladesh and Nepal would hasten the release and dissemination of rice varieties to benefit farmers in the region, according to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Bayer CropScience launches new insecticide
Bayer CropScience has announced that its new insecticide — Sivanto — will be available for the 2015 growing season
Japan and USA trade deal to cut beef and pork import tariffs
Japan is likely to cut its high import tariffs on USA’s beef and pork and slightly ease tight restrictions on rice imports in order to seal Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal
South Korea and EU agree on single certificate for organic trade
Effective 1 February 2015, South Korea and the EU will be able to sell organic products with one certificate, issued in either the East Asian nation or in Europe