WA state veterinarian investigating reported cow deaths at dairy (The Columbian) SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Preliminary results of an investigation into cow deaths at a Stevens County dairy found no evidence of foreign animal disease infection or mad cow disease, a Washington State Department of Agriculture spokesman said Thursday. [News Source]

State veterinarian investigating cow deaths at Addy dairy (KXLY-TV Spokane) SPOKANE -- The state Department of Agriculture says it is investigating reports of dead cows at a Steven County dairy farm, but finds no evidence of foreign disease or mad cow disease. [News Source]

South Korea, US optimistic on free trade deal (AFP via Yahoo! News) South Korea and the United States said a mutually acceptable free trade deal was within sight on Thursday after resuming difficult negotiations at a heavily guarded hotel here. [News Source]

U.S. and South Korea Begin More Free-Trade Talks (New York Times) Seoul agreed to resume beef imports as negotiators try to beat the expiration date of President Bush?s ?fast-track? authority. [News Source]

South Korea offers to ease tough stance on US beef (AFP via Yahoo! News) South Korea eased its stance on inspecting US beef imports, officials said Thursday, as negotiators from the two countries resumed difficult free trade talks at a heavily guarded hotel here. [News Source]

South Korea-U.S. battle clock to strike trade deal (Reuters via Yahoo! News) South Korean and U.S. negotiators battling an end-March deadline and a simmering feud over beef imports began crunch trade talks on Thursday, which could lead to the biggest U.S. free trade pact in 15 years. [News Source]

U.S. envoy optimistic on free trade deal (AP via Yahoo! News) The chief U.S. negotiator in free trade talks with South Korea expressed optimism Thursday that a deal can soon be reached, but warned that the U.S. Congress will never ratify it unless restrictions on American beef imports are completely removed. [News Source]

South Korean and U.S. may be close to trade agreement (International Herald Tribune) South Korea brightened the prospects when it decided to ease its quarantine standards so that U.S. beef could re-enter the country. [News Source]

S.Korea to relax quarantine on U.S. beef (AP via Yahoo! News) South Korea said Thursday that it will lower its quarantine standards this month over banned bone fragments in American beef shipments, paving the way for the resumption of U.S. beef imports. [News Source]

S.Korea, U.S. begin new free trade talks (AP via Yahoo! News) The chief U.S. negotiator in free trade talks with South Korea expressed optimism Thursday that a deal can be reached soon, but warned that the U.S. Congress will never ratify it unless there is full access for American beef. [News Source]