Russia to Agree on Phased Reduction of Farm Subsidies under Draft WTO Deal

Russia is ready to accept an eventual cap of $4.4 billion per year in trade-distorting farm subsidies as part of its agreement for accession to the World Trade Organization, officials told BNA Sept. 29…

Hungary Pledges Action on Climate Treaty, Emissions Cuts During Term as EU President

BRUSSELS—Hungary will push for an international climate agreement and a more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the European Union during its six-month term as president of the Council of the European Union, said Tamás Fellegi, the country’s minister for national development, Jan. 26.

Argentina on Track to Become World’s Third Largest Biodiesel Producer with New Cargill Plant

BUENOS AIRES—Argentina’s biodiesel output rose 51 percent in 2010 and is expected to grow another 24 percent this year to 3.1 million metric tons, pushing the country from fifth to third place in production behind Germany and France, Argentina’s Renewable Energies Chamber said in a report released Jan. 13.

But unlike other major producers, Argentina exports about half its output. This year’s output will be boosted mostly by a plant capable of producing 240,000 metric tons annually to be built by U.S. agrifood giant Cargill in the central province of Santa Fe, where 80 percent of…

EU Focus in 2011 Will Be to Develop Long-Term Strategic Plans over Piecemeal Legislation

BRUSSELS—The environmental policymaking emphasis in the European Union in 2011 will be on strategic planning for the medium and long terms, rather than on piecemeal legislative proposals.

The European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, will publish a number of policy road maps and will seek backing for them from lawmakers in the European Parliament and EU member states represented in the EU Council.

Matjaz Malgaj, an advisor to EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, told BNA that the…