The Round, launched in September 2001 with a mandate to liberalize agriculture trade, is a complex undertaking: getting 148 countries to agree on how much to their subsidies and tariffs, how fast, has been a shuffling, challenging process. Back in Doha, the group agreed to eliminate export subsidies and harmonize market access barriers and domestic support levels. Left for dead several times (remember Seattle? Or Cancun?), the Round remains alive by hitting small, incremental deadlines just often enough to claim progress.

Fonterra has agreed to purchase $526 million worth of assets from New Zealand Dairy Foods, and to transfer to it the Anchor and Fresh 'n' Fruity brands in New Zealand. In exchange, NZDF will acquire $291 million of Fonterra's businesses, gaining the dairy giant's Meadow Fresh drinks and yogurt arm and its Kiwi Meats division.

Chinese dairy giant Yili Group says it will invest $132 million mainly to expand its production capacity and market presence in northeastern and eastern China.

G.C. Hahn & Co. USA Inc., will hold its 3rd Annual Technology Symposium on Dairy & Non-Dairy; Dips, Sauces, Dressings and Spreads, on Oct. 25 at The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Dairy Research.

PARIS-As this issue was going to press, Reuters reported that rumors about PepsiCo, considering a takeover bid for French food group Danone, might have been off the mark. Pepsi told the French market regulator AMF that it was not in fact preparing a takeover.

WASHINGTON-The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has filed two lawsuits against, IDFA, DMI, and several dairy companies that are licensed to use the claims of the Healthy Weight with Dairy campaign.

Unfrozen Novelty An attempt to erect the world's largest water ice treat in Manhattan's Union square ended with a kiwi-strawberry flood that sent pedestrians scurrying for higher ground in June.

Workers ended their strike of the Tillamook County Creamery Association, 11 days after walking out last month over increasing health costs.

PORTLAND, Maine-Oakhurst Dairy continues to honor Maine Army Reserve veterans returning home from Iraq with welcome home messages on their gallon-sized milk labels.

MORTON GROVE, Ill.-Lifeway Foods Inc., is now providing four flavors of its LowFat Kefir to select Target stores.