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The US Department of Agriculture is currently accepting nominations for members to serve on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC) and all Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade (ATACs). The APAC provides advice to USDA and the Office of the US Trade Representative on overall agricultural trade policy objectives, while ATACs focus on specific commodities. Each committee is composed of approximately 35 members who serve 2-year appointments. The ATACs cover trade in animals and animal products; fruits and vegetables; grains, feed and oilseeds; sweeteners and sweetener products; tobacco, cotton, peanuts, and planting seeds; and processed foods. Committee members are chosen from the private sector and must have knowledge of agriculture and trade matters. They must be US citizens, qualify for a security clearance, and be willing to serve without compensation for time, travel or expenses. The committees meet approximately four times each year. A nomination to serve on a committee requires submission of a current resume and form AD-755 (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information), available on the Internet at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/admin/ad755.pdf. Nominations must be received by March 31 in the Legislative Affairs Office, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA, Room 5929-S, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-1001…

Privately-held Black Diamond Capital Management LLC has announced that Sun World International LLC has acquired all of the assets of California agricultural company Sun World International Inc. for $127.8 million. The new company will do business under the name Sun World International LLC, a limited liability company 100% owned by entities managed by Black Diamond. Sun World International Inc., which owns about 17,000 acres in the Coachella and San Joaquin valleys, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code in January, 2003…

Discovery Partners International Inc. has signed a binding letter of intent, subject to confirmatory due diligence, to acquire Heidelberg, Germany-based Biofrontera Discovery GmbH, the natural products drug discovery subsidiary of Biofrontera AG, a privately held specialty pharma business. Biofrontera Discovery will be managed as part of San Diego-based DPI's Integrated Drug Discovery operations based in Basel, Switzerland…

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its fiscal year 2005 forecast of agricultural exports from $56 billion to $59 billion. This would make FY 2005 the 3rd highest export sales year ever following FY 2004 at $62.3 billion and FY 1996 at $59.8 billion. This year, the USDA said, "the US is experiencing increased competition and lower prices for bulk commodities such as grains, oilseeds and cotton. Conversely, there is increased demand for some U.S. high-value products, which are bolstered by the weaker dollar." Horticultural sales are forecast at a record $14.5 billion. Broad-based gains for many fruits and vegetables as well as wines and essential oils are expected, largely due to higher prices. Pork exports are also expected to reach a record volume and value with strong demand from Japan, Mexico and Canada. Very strong gains are also expected in dairy exports, largely supported by non-fat dry milk powder. Canada will remain the No. 1 market for US agricultural products at a projected $10.2 billion, while Mexico at $8.5 billion is expected to surpass Japan ($7.7 billion) for the first time. Export sales to the European Union (EU) are projected at $7 billion and China at $4.6 billion, to account for the US' top five markets. US agricultural exports to the Western Hemisphere should exceed those to Asia by $2.9 billion. Agricultural imports are forecast at a record $58 billion, continuing a 35-year upward trend that has advanced at a faster pace since 2003. With exports lower in 2005, the trade surplus is expected to be about $1 billion. Demand for imports continues to rise, but most of the current increase in import value is due to higher prices. The summary and full report of USDA's "Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade" can be accessed at http://www.ers.usda.gov or the FAS Web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov. The next quarterly report will be issued in May; and…

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has approved a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that was filed on January 21, 2005, by the Visalia-headquartered California Olive Growers Council. The certification date is March 14, 2005. Beginning on that date, California black olive producers who produce and market their olives will be eligible to apply for fiscal year 2005 benefits during an application period ending June 13, 2005.

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