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.
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.
Over 45 attendees from the Japanese grain and oilseed industry made for a very successful contract seminar on November 28 at the Tokai University Club in Tokyo. Participants in the seminar, which was led by NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin, Senior Adviser Sam Bonilla, and Director of Operations Ryan Olson, reviewed international grain trade contracts and took a close look at the NAEGA II FOB contract. In addition, Ryan presented on the proposed changes NAEGA is considering to the NAEGA 2 contract and Sam led attendees through case studies on laytime commencing.
Following the seminar NAEGA welcomed approximately 70 guests to a reception at the Tokai University Club to celebrate the Japanese grain and oilseed industry. The reception was opened with remarks from Gary, followed by speeches from the U.S. Embassy’s Senior Agricultural Attaché, the head of the Grain Operations Division at the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Japanese Feed Trade Association (JFTA). A copy of Gary’s remarks can be found here.
To learn more about NAEGA activities in Tokyo, or to learn about how NAEGA can host a personalized, innovative contracts and best practices seminar for your company, please contact Gary or Ryan.
On November 13-15 Ryan traveled 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 featured remarks by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney and discussions on USDA and cooperator programing and policy. A trip report for this travel will be available soon.
On November 5-10 Ryan traveled 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 was 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. Ryan also advises the DBTG Executive Committee. A trip report for this travel will be available soon.
On September 10-20 NAEGA Senior Advisor Kirk Miller joined a group of China AQSIQ officials for a survey tour of grain supply chain facilities in the Mid-West. A trip report for this mission is now available. The trip, supported by the USDA FAS, NAEGA, U.S. Soybean Export Council, U.S. Grains Council, American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board, was meant to educate AQSIQ officials on the U.S. export supply chain and the fungible, comingled nature of U.S. grain and oilseed exports as part of U.S. government and industry efforts to comply with Decree 177 facility registration requirements. During their travel, the team visited facilities along the Mid-West, Mississippi River and Gulf Coast in Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis and Galveston. The trip concluded with a briefing in Washington, D.C.
A copy of Kirk’s trip report can be found here.
On Friday, September 8 Katy Lee, Secretariat of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) traveled to London to attend and participate in the International Grain’s Council’s (IGC) Market Conditions Committee (MCC) meeting. During the meeting Katy presented before the MCC on Current Developments in Policy and Practice as part of the IGTC’s continued and regular engagement with the IGC. Following these meetings Katy participated in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) to monitor and respond to developments impacting the global grain and oilseed trade. A trip report from this travel is now available.
A copy of Katy’s trip report can be found here.
Last week, the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) and NAEGA completed several successful activities in the Washington, D.C. area, including:
November 15
November 16
November 17
Agenda’s for these events and further information and photos from these activities can be found on the IGTC website: www.igtcglobal.org.
This week Ryan is in 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 was 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. Ryan also advises the DBTG Executive Committee. A notice to post for this travel is available here. Please contact Ryan with any questions.
NAEGA, along with the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and the American Soybean Association (ASA), submitted Comments on October 25 regarding export barriers in Argentina. Responding to USTR’s invitation “to assist it in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports” in preparation for the National Trade Estimates (NTE) Report, NAEGA, NOPA, and ASA argued that U.S. exports of soybeans and soybean products could be significantly higher if the industry did not have to compete with Argentina’s differential export taxes (DETs), which are inconsistent with Argentina’s WTO obligations. The Comments conclude that the administration must take immediate action to eliminate Argentina’s use of DETs on soybeans and soybean products.
You can read the full Comments here.
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
