The CAP and EU enlargement: Prospects for an alternative strategy to avoid the lock-in of CAP support

The integration of the central and east European countries (CEECs) into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could become a major problem. At the Copenhagen European summit in December 2002, the EU agreed a transitional period with a gradual phasing in of direct payments. However, this strategy will not solve the problems of the CAP: budgetary limits remain problematic, the policy ignores possible developments in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the extension of direct payments to the CEECs will further capitalize, and hence lock-in, agricultural support. The latter makes future reform even more difficult and, to overcome these problems, we suggest an alternative strategy to integrate the CEECs into the CAP. The EU should phase out direct payments by applying a bond scheme. Finally, we consider whether this option is politically viable.

What is wrong with the global support facility for small-scale mining?

The World Bank, United Nations and UK Department for International Development (DfID) have spearheaded a recent global drive to regularize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and provide assistance to its predominantly impoverished participants. To date, millions of dollars have been pledged toward the design of industry-specific policies and regulations; implementation of mechanized equipment; extension; and the launch of alternative livelihood (AL) programmes aimed at diversifying local economies. Much of this funding, however, has failed to facilitate marked improvements, and in many cases, has exacerbated problems. This paper argues that a poor understanding of artisanal, mine-community dynamics and operators’ needs has, in a number of cases, led to the design and implementation of inappropriate industry support schemes and interventions. The discussion focuses upon experiences from sub-Saharan Africa, where ASM is in the most rudimentary of states.

Feeding rumen-inert fats differing in their degree of saturation decreases intake and increases plasma concentrations of gut peptides in lactating dairy cows

Our objective was to determine the effect of feeding rumen-inert fats differing in their degree of saturation on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and cholecystokinin (CCK) in lactating dairy cows. Four midlactation, primiparous Holstein cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment with 2-wk periods. Cows were fed a control mixed ration ad libitum, and treatments were the dietary addition (3.5% of ration dry matter) of 3 rumen-inert fats as sources of mostly saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Daily DMI, milk yield, and composition were measured on the last 4 d of each period. Jugular vein blood was collected every 30 min over a 7-h period on d 12 and 14 of each period for analysis of plasma concentrations of hormones, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids. Feeding fat decreased DMI, and the decrease tended to be greater for MUFA and PUFA compared with SFA. Plasma concentration of GLP-1 increased when fat was fed and was greater for MUFA and PUFA. Feeding fat increased plasma glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and CCK concentrations and decreased plasma insulin concentration. Plasma CCK concentration was greater for MUFA and PUFA than for SFA and was greater for MUFA than PUFA. Decreases in DMI in cows fed fat were associated with increased plasma concentrations of GLP-1 and CCK and a decreased insulin concentration. The role of these peptides in regulating DMI in cattle fed fat requires further investigation.

Decoupling EU farm support: Does the new single payment scheme fit within the green box?

Recent reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has led to a further decoupling of farm support. The EU believes that the new Single Payment Scheme, which replaces the former system of area and headage payments to farmers, tied to production, will qualify for green-box status in the WTO. We examine this contention, particularly in light of the recent WTO panel report on upland cotton.

4,4 '-Dipyridyl-N,N '-dioxide complexes of metal-thiocyanate/selenocyanate: pi-stacked molecular rods as three-dimensional support for two-dimensional polymeric sheets and intra/interchain S center dot center dot center dot S interaction dependent architecture of the R-2(2)(8) synthon driven assembly of one-dimensional polymeric chains

Three supramolecular complexes of Co(II) using SCN-/SeCN- in combination with 4,4'-dipyridyl-N,N'-dioxide (dpyo), i.e., {[Co(SCN)(2)(dpyo)(2)].(dpyo)}(n) ( 1), {[Co(SCN)(2)(dpyo)(H2O)(2)].(H2O)}(n) ( 2), {[Co(SeCN)(2)(dpyo)(H2O)(2)]center dot(H2O)}(n) ( 3), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complex 1 is a rare example of a dpyo bridged two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer, and pi-stacked dpyo supramolecular rods are generated by the lattice dpyo, passing through the rhombic grid of stacked layers, resulting in a three-dimensional (3D) superstructure. Complexes 2 and 3 are isomorphous one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers [-Co-dpyo-Co-] that undergo self-assembly leading to a bilayer architecture derived through an R-2(2)(8) H-bonding synthon between coordinated water and dpyo oxygen. A reinvestigation of coordination polymers [Mn(SCN)(2)(dpyo)( H2O)(MeOH)](n) ( 4) and {[Fe(SCN)(2)(dpyo)(H2O)(2)]center dot(H2O)}(n) ( 5) reported recently by our group [ Manna et al. Indian J. Chem. 2006, 45A, 1813] reveals brick wall topology rather than bilayer architecture is due to the decisive role of S center dot center dot center dot S/Se center dot center dot center dot Se interactions in determining the helical nature in 4 and 5 as compared to zigzag polymeric chains in 2 and 3, although the same R-2(2)(8) synthon is responsible for supramolecular assembly in these complexes.