The G-7 nation finance ministers released a statement on global trade following a ministerial meeting in Sicily. The statement included tempered commitment to international trade after the U.S. Treasury pushed back on more substantive discussions of free trade during the meeting. A copy of the statement can be found here.
Last week the Department of Commerce released the “100-Day Action Plan of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue” agreed to by Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. The ten actions include:
The full 100-Day Action Plan can be accessed here.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced three public comment meetings on proposed revisions to 7 CFR Part 340 regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. Meetings will take place at the following locations:
You can register to attend any of the above meetings by clicking here.
The announcement also included a call for industry stakeholders to submit public comments ahead of the meetings. To submit a public comment, click here. The deadline for public comment is June 19. More information on the proposed rule, direct contact information, and in-depth supplementary information can be found here. Additionally, related information and official documents are available online in the Docket Folder here.
On Thursday, May 11 NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin and Director of Operations Ryan Olson participated in a meeting of the U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue for Trade and a meeting of the Dialogue’s High-Level Steering Group. NAEGA, Co-Chairs the Dialogue, its High-Level Steering Group and its Implementing Team. An organization chart for the Dialogue can be found here.
The May 11 off the record and closed door meeting of the Dialogue High-Level Steering Group to discuss Dialogue communications and structure, including targeted education on the benefits of trade to the food and agribusiness sector.
Following the meeting, of the High-Level Steering Group, broader dialogue participants heard remarks from representatives of the Chinese and New Zealand Embassies, the U.S. Trade Representative and the Asia Society Policy Institute. Topics discussed included the U.S.-China 100 Day Plan, the future of trade in the Asia-Pacific, and potential NAFTA renegotiations.
This week NAEGA again reminded industry leaders about the threat of treated seeds entering commodity supply. In an open letter to the U.S. Grain and Oilseed industry, NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin emphasized the importance of preventing treated seeds from entering the commodity supply. The letter calls for continued communication with the public and utilization of industry resources to educate users on the threat of treated seeds contaminating food and feed supplies.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
IGTC Secretariat Katy Lee will travel to Budapest, Hungary on May 21-22 to attend the International Seed Federations (ISF) World Seed Congress. During the Congress Katy will participate in the ISF’s Plant Breeding Innovation Working Group meeting on May 21 and the Breeders Committee open meeting on May 22. A copy of the World Seed Congress’s program can be found here.
New Import requirements under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Foreign Food Supplier Verification program (FSVP) will begin taking effect on May 30. Importers of food for humans or animals, with some exceptions, are required to verify that (a) their foreign suppliers use processes and procedures that provide the same level of public health protection as the U.S. preventive controls and produce safety regulations, where applicable; and (b) the food they import is not adulterated and not misbranded with respect to food allergen labeling. The dates by which FSVP importers must comply with the FSVP rule differ based the nature of the importer, the size of the foreign supplier, and whether the supplier must meet the requirements of the FDA’s final rules on preventive controls for human or animal food or produce safety.
More information about compliance with the FSVP can be found here.
A report on existing Canadian grain-related policies regarding management of small grains and oilseeds by the Canadian Government has been made public. The report discusses government policies affect on Canadian marine grain exports. Policies examined include wheat grades, Canadian grain rail policies, government ownership of grain rail cars, and asynchronous phytosanitary agreements.
A copy of the report can be viewed here.
IGTC Secretariat Katy Lee is back from her most recent IGTC working visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 12-26. A trip report for her working visit is now available. In Buenos Aires Katy conducted a working visit with CIARA-CEC and its members along with IGTC corporate stakeholder as a part of IGTC’s Global Outreach Program. Katy used the visit to discuss and collect feedback on new IGTC policy files, working groups and upcoming priorities. While in Buenos Aires, Katy also coordinated the representation of the IGTC at the government-led workshop on LLP Safety Assessment on 14-15 March, with 12 countries present.
Gary Martin, President and CEO of NAEGA and the IGTC, Marcel Bruins, NAEGA/IGTC Science Advisor and Katy Lee, IGTC Secretariat have reported on recent travel to Zurich, Switzerland and London, UK on March 5-7 for meeting with the International Grains Council (IGC) and the International Seed Federation (ISF). Gary, Marcel, and Katy participated in the International Seed Federation (ISF) Plant Breeding Innovation Working Group meeting in Zurich before Gary and Katy flew to London for a day of meetings with the IGC and GAFTA. Both ISF and the IGC prioritized Gary’s visit in their respective meeting agendas.
North American Export Grain Association
1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 260
Arlington, VA 22202
Telephone: 202-682-4030
Fax: 202-682-4033
Email: info@naega.org
