APHIS Directive on Soybean Shipments to China

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is implementing a new directive regarding all exports of soybeans to China (a copy of the directive can be found here). The directive applies to all exports of soybeans from the U.S. to be imported into China that need a phyto-sanitary certificate (APHIS Form 691) AND is the first step in the “system approach” for which APHIS and USDA will be providing more details soon. One aspect of the “system approach” is that China AQSIQ may require some actions like preventing weed seed exposure to the environment, denaturing or cleaning of weed seeds from shipments for which the Form 691 remarks section indicates “This consignment exceeds 1% FM.” The “systems approach” will be implemented in agreement with China’s AQSIQ that assures that no shipments of U.S. soybeans will be rejected because of a weed seed content or foreign material.

For the next two years, no shipments of U.S. soybeans will be rejected because of a weed seed content or foreign material and that the response will be monitored for 2 years before any additional action is taken.

ACTION: We have explained  to APHIS that Phytosanitary Certification Change for Soybean Shipments Going to China potentially cuts across contracts and, if necessary, should be taken at the beginning of a crop year with advance notice before the growing season. We have also indicated that if they must deploy during this marketing year a minimum of 3 month grace period is needed to accommodate any potential contractual changes.

High-Level Steering Group Meeting

The U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue for Trade High-Level Steering Group held a successful meeting with Tiger Minsok Chu, President of the Korea International Trade Association. The Steering Group discussed with Mr. Chu discussed cooperative efforts that U.S. and Korean industry can take to support bilateral trade and potential pending renegotiation of the Korean-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. During the meeting Mr. Chu expressed his support for the bilateral relationship and his hope that growing trade and investment ties between the United States and Korea will not be damaged in any upcoming talks.

EU, IGC, Coceral and IGTC events in Brussels, Belgium – December 3-6

Gary is back from a successful meeting in Brussels, Belgium with grain trade leaders and IGTC members and corporate stakeholders. While in Brussels, Gary attended the International Grains Council’s 46^th Session on December 5^th, where he presented before IGC members (to view his presentation please click here). The IGC meetings bring together government representatives and industry stakeholders from around the world. As per the member-endorsed agreement in Buenos Aires in December 2015, the IGTC remains a committed partner at the IGC, providing grain trade updates at Council sessions, conferences and the Market Conditions Committee meetings. In addition, Gary also attended the following meetings and events:

• A European Commission Grains Outlook Seminar on December 4. At the Seminar, the Commission will present its outlook for global grain supply, demand and trade.
• The Coceral Annual Reception co-hosted by the IGTC. Invitees will include all 55 IGC member governments as well as Brussels agri-value chain representatives and officials from the EU institutions.

A trip report for this meeting will be available soon. 

IGTC Newsletter

The latest IGTC newsletter is now available! This week’s newsletter includes information about the IGTC delegation in Brussels, a leadership change at the IGC, and the publication of the November 2017 IPPC Standards Committee report.

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

Clause 20 Certifications

Over the past few weeks NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin has issued two Clause 20 certifications upon the recommendation of a NAEGA Clause 20 panel.

Hurricane Harvey – August-September 2017

This request for certification resulted when delivery was prevented at the applicant’s elevator due to actions by Federal, state or local governments or authorities. Leading up to and following the passing of Hurricane Harvey through the Houston area, the U.S. Coast Guard limited traffic and closed the Port of Houston, preventing vessels from accessing the applicant’s facility and preventing loading of the commodity. The panel recommended and the President certified that a valid cause existed between 1500 CDT on August 24, 2017 and 0306 CDT on September 5, 2017.

Hurricane Nate – October 2017

This request for certification resulted when delivery was prevented at the applicant’s elevator due to actions by Federal, state or local governments or authorities. Leading up to and following the passing of Hurricane Nate through the New Orleans area, Plaquemines Parish issued a mandatory evacuation that resulted in the closing and suspension of labor at the applicant’s elevator. This prevented delivery of the commodity at the applicant’s facility. The panel recommended and the President certified that a valid cause existed between 1500 CDT on October 6, 2017 and 1300 CDT on October 8, 2017.