News

Questionnaire on global ePhyto solutions

NAEGA members are invited to participate in an IPPC questionnaire for businesses, trade operators and global trade flow representatives on the adoption of electronic phytosanitary certificates. The aim of the survey is to gather information from the private sector to support and improve the IPPC-WTO ePhyto project (website here), as well as to develop a business model for financing and cost recovery. All responses to the questionnaire will be treated confidentially. To take part contact the IGTC Secretariat: secretariat@igtcglobal.org

DBTG and AAPA Conferences – Punta del Este, Uruguay – November 5-10

On November 5-10 Ryan will travel to Punta del Este, Uruguay to participate in the American Association of Port Authorities Latin American Congress and the Dry Bulk Terminal Group’s Fall Operational and Technical Seminar.

Priority during this mission is NAEGA’s continued engagement with the Dry Bulk Terminals Group, which NAEGA renewed its Memorandum of Agreement with in 2017. The NAEGA and the DBTG work together closely on international regulatory issues that affect the global grain trade and dry bulk terminals. A notice to post for this travel is available here.

IICA Presentation on the Future of Ag Trade

On Friday, September 22 Gary participated in an Inter-American Institute on Agriculture (IICA) event on The Future of Agriculture Trade in North America. During the presentation, which featured speakers from each commodity group, Gary discussed the challenges of making the grain and oilseed trade in the region more efficient.

A copy of his presentation can be found here.

U.S.-China AQSIQ Survey Team

On September 10-20 NAEGA Senior Advisor Kirk Miller travelled throughout the Midwest with a U.S.-China AQSIQ Survey Team to tour U.S. grain handling, transshipment, and export facilities along the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. During the tours, NAEGA briefed AQSIQ officials on the scope and operation of the U.S. grain export value chain, including its fungible, co-mingled nature. This trip was meant to educate Chinese officials about the U.S. value chain related to U.S. industry compliance with Decree 177. A trip report for this travel will be available soon.

U.S. Codex Office Realignment Letter

On September 18, 2017 NAEGA joined a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue from the Food Industry Codex Coalition and allied organizations applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment to Codex and welcoming the Secretary’s recent decision to organize the U.S. Codex Office under the authority of the new USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. In the letter, the signees also recognized the knowledge and expertise of the current U.S. Codex Office staff and U.S. delegates to Codex committees and requested that USDA remain grounded in a clear, unimpeachable commitment to advancing science-based standards that enhance global food safety capacity.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

IGTC Newsletter

The latest IGTC newsletter is now available! This week’s newsletter includes an update on the IGTC’s presentation at the IGC’s Market Conditions Committee meeting, information about the November 2017 General Assembly and a request that members fill out a questionnaire on a global ePhyto solution.  

For more details, read the IGTC Newsletter here or visit the IGTC website at www.igtcglobal.org.

NAEGA Board of Directors Meeting and Events

Thank you to all who attended the events surrounds the NAEGA Board of Directors meeting on September 12-14.

 Taiwan Goodwill Mission Reception
During the afternoon of Tuesday, September 12 several member of the NAEGA Board attended a reception with the Taiwan Goodwill Mission. The reception was attended by Taiwanese importers on the Goodwill Mission to the United States, and U.S. government and industry personnel.

Dinner and address by Secretary Purdue
On Tuesday, September 12 several NAEGA Board Directors and their spouses joined NAEGA and the NGFA’s Board, staff and their spouses for a dinner featuring remarks by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. During his remarks, Secretary Purdue discussed his vision for the USDA, including his desire to make the Department service oriented and responsive to customer and farmer needs.

WITA Event on NAFTA and Agriculture
On the morning of Wednesday, September 13 the NAEGA Board attended a Washington International Trade Association (WITA) event on NAFTA and Agriculture. During the event, Gary spoke on NAEGA and the U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue’s priorities for the NAFTA renegotiation. A video of the event can be found here.

NAEGA Board of Directors Meeting
The NAEGA Board of Directors held a meeting on September 13 at NAEGA’s offices in Arlington, VA. Steve Smalley, Chairman of the NAEGA Board of Directors, presided over the meeting. During the meeting, the Board Members reviewed NAEGA financials, received an update  on the IGTC, heard reports from each of the Committees and approved the minutes from their last meeting, which can be found here.

Reception with the NAEGA Board of Directors
Following the meeting of the Board, NAEGA held a rooftop reception with the Board of Directors for Washington based NAEGA members, like-minded organizations, and U.S. government personnel. 

Notification to Congress of Expected Change to Trade Remedy Law

The Trump Administration has notified congress about expected changes to U.S. trade remedy law as part of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). U.S. Trade Promotion Authority legislation requires the administration to notify Congress at least 180 days before the agreement to a trade deal if that deal includes changes to U.S. trade remedy law. Following this timeline, a NAFTA agreement could be reached no sooner than March 21, 2018.

USAEDC Annual Workshop – Baltimore, MD – November 13-15

On November 13-15 Ryan will travel to Baltimore, MD to attend the U.S. Agriculture Export Developments Council’s Annual Workshop. USAEDC annual workshop brings together USDA cooperators, staff and other U.S. government officials to discuss trends and opportunities for U.S. agriculture exporters. Discussions cover USDA agencies, programing, and policy direction. Presentations are made by FAS staff and cooperators on successful marketing strategies, collaborative programs and issues affecting the ability of the U.S. ag producers to export their products. A copy of the agenda for this meeting is available here.

USCG Suspicious Activities Reporting

At the request of the U.S. Coast Guard, NAEGA members are invited to review the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative’s Suspicious Activity Reporting Indicators and Behaviors: Tools for Analysts and Investigators worksheet. The worksheet includes helpful information on identifying and reporting suspicious activity. The worksheet can be found here.