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California Certified Organic Farmers is offering free one-on-one consulting services to organic farmers, processors and shippers. The offer is part of the trade association's Certified Organic Product Export Strategy, or COPES program. Services include consultation and online seminars on international organic standards compliance, logistics, banking and market analysis. Monterey Bay International Trade Association is participating in the program. More information can be obtained by visiting www.copes-ca.org…

Opposition leaders and consumer groups are vocally criticizing a tentative agreement by the Japanese goverment to lift a ban on US beef imports. The US Department of Agriculture announced the accord about two weeks ago and hailed the resumption of some US beef shipments to Japan in "a matter of weeks," but some Japanese officials said imports are unlikely for at least another six months. Japan's 10-month beef ban - imposed after a cow in Washington state was found to have mad cow disease last December - effectively closed off the single largest foreign market for the $30 billion US cattle industry. After months of unsuccessful talks, Japanese and US officials said they had reached a "framework" agreement with officials in Washington saying that some American beef shipments to Japan would resume soon. But Japanese officials familiar with the agreement offered a less optimistic assessment, saying that the deal imposes no specific deadline to lift the ban and that disputes over inspection guidelines and requirements for public hearings would delay the imports. Even then, Japan could allow only a fraction of the $1.4 billion worth of US beef imported prior to the ban, they said; and…

A 13-year strike by some 600 workers at the world's largest walnut processing plant may be coming to an end, according to press reports. The strike was called against the Diamond of California plant in Stockton in 1991. Last week, the plant's permanent and seasonal workers voted 311-262 to join the Teamsters union, which could signal the beginning of the end of the walkout if the disputed election stands. One of the union's demands is that the striking workers get their jobs back. But the union and company have challenged 76 votes - enough to swing the election - which could further drag out a conflict that once reached the US Supreme Court. The National Labor Relations Board is examining the election, and the issue will go to a hearing before an administrative law judge if the tally can't be resolved. If the union wins, the company will be required to bargain in good faith for at least a year. The plant processes more than half the walnuts consumed in the US.

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