(AFX UK Focus) 2007-05-25 04:13 GMT: Bush says Chinese ‘need’ to eat US beef (Interactive Investor) WASHINGTON (XFN-ASIA) - President George W. Bush said the Chinese "need" to eat US beef for their health, and lamented that China refuses to allow imports because of mad-cow concerns. [News Source]

OIE OK’s U.S. beef exports from older cows. The World Organization for Animal Health agreed Tuesday to classify the United States as a country with a "controlled BSE" risk and allow it in principle to export beef regardless of cattle age. [News Source]

Meat group sees more U.S. beef to Japan, Russia. Sales of U.S. beef to Japan could double by August, while sales to Russia could start by year's end if inspections of U.S. beef plants go well, a meat industry group said on Wednesday. [News Source]

Mad cow, bird flu: veterinary response is improving (Budapest Business Journal) Top agency for safety in the meat and livestock trade says: the response to mad-cow disease and H5N1 bird flu among farm animals has improved, thanks to common guidelines and better veterinary surveillance. [News Source]