World Agrinews

ETH Bioenergy, a large ethanol producer in Brazil, announced Thursday that it was acquiring its debt-laden rival Brenco for an undisclosed price. The move follows similar joint ventures and mergers announced in the ethanol industry over the last few months as companies pair up to share the high capital costs needed to meet ambitious expansion goals.

Rain in January and February in Queensland and northern New South Wales has improved the yield potential for summer crops, but overall area planted and production is forecast to be lower than last season, commented Paul Morris, ABARE’s deputy executive director on releasing the latest Australian crop report.

Russia has imposed temporary restrictions on meat and dairy imports from several U.S., Brazilian, Finnish and Czech companies starting from Friday, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports on its Web site, citing the country’s agricultural regulator.

The European Commission today officially announced the winner of the EU organic logo competition. Over the past two months, some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. The winning design is by Dusan Milenkovic, a student from Germany, who gained 63% of the overall vote for his “Euro-leaf” logo. From 1st July 2010, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. It will be optional for imported products.