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

Gary will work on behalf of both NAEGA and the IGTC in Brussels, Belgium at several important trade related events. While in Brussels he looks forward to meeting NAEGA member personnel whenever possible!  

On December 4, Gary plans to attend the European Commission Grains Outlook Seminar. At the Seminar, the Commission will present its outlook for global grain supply, demand and trade.

On December 5th Gary will attend the International Grains Council’s 46th Session and report the IGC on IGTC (agenda attached).  That evening IGTC will co-host the Coceral Annual Reception at which the IGC delegates from IGC member governments are expected to join agri-value chain representatives and officials from the EU institutions.  The IGC is a government-to-government organization of 28 member governments with a unique mandate to facilitate trade.

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.

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.

IGC MCC Meeting – London, UK – September 8

On Friday, September 8 Katy Lee, Secretariat of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) will travel to London to attend and participate in the International Grain’s Council’s (IGC) Market Conditions Committee (MCC) meeting. During the meeting Katy will be presenting before the MCC on Current Developments in Policy and Practice as part of the IGTC’s continued and regular engagement with the IGC.

A copy of the IGC MCC agenda can be found here.

U.S.-China AQSIQ Survey Team – Mid-West – September 10-20

On September 10-20 NAEGA Senior Advisor Kirk Miller will join a group of China AQSIQ officials for a survey tour of grain supply chain facilities in the Mid-West. The trip is 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 will be visiting facilities along the Mid-West, Mississippi River and Gulf Coast in Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans.  The trip will conclude with a briefing in Washington, D.C.

The current itinerary for this travel is available here.

IMO CCC – London, UK – September 11-15

On September 11-15 Katy Lee, Secretariat of the IGTC, will travel to London, UK to participate in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC). In London, Katy will be working closely with the International Dry Bulk Terminals Association, to monitor and respond to developments impacting the global grain and oilseed trade. A notice to post for this travel will be available shortly.

A copy of the IMO CCC agenda can be found here.

IGTC Working Visit

On July 20-August 5 Katy Lee, IGTC Secretariat, will travel to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia to conduct an IGTC Working Visit with Grain Trade Australia (GTA). In Australia, Katy will coordinate closely GTA and Sydney-based corporate stakeholders to gather insight as well as inform IGTC policy files. Katy will also represent the IGTC at the 2017 Australian Grain Industry Conference (AGIC), during which she will give a presentation on the theme “Global grain industry working together to facilitate trade”. The session will focus on global food security and the role for the grains industry. While at the AGIC Katy will also update GTA’s Trade and Market Access Committee on IGTC policies regarding phytosanitary control, electronic trading documentation and minimum residue limits.

IGTC Meetings – Geneva – June 20-23

NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin will travel to Geneva, Switzerland on June 20-23 for a series of meetings with NAEGA and IGTC corporate stakeholders and government officials. In Geneva, Gary has planned meetings to report on and receive recommendations for IGTC actions to: address the facilitation of trade with China, consider parameters for the establishment of new commercial and official practices related to information management and implementation of regulations and explore options for modification of the IGTC business plan. Please let Gary know if you are free to meet while he is in Geneva!

IPPC ePhyto IAG Meeting – Arlington – June 27-29

NAEGA will host and attend meetings related to the International Plant Protection Convention’s development  of Electronic Phyto-Sanitary Certification.  On June 26-30 Katy Lee, Secretariat of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) will travel to Arlington, VA to join Gary at three meetings: NAEGA will host the  of  IPPC ePhyto Hub Industry Advisory Group (IAG) on June 27. The IAG is also hosting an Outreach meeting with Foreign Embassy personnel and U.S. government agencies on June 28 at the Embassy of Canada in DC. On June 26, the Embassy of Australia is hosting a related meeting with Peter Neimanis, Director, Business Systems Program, Plant Export Operations for Australia

 The ePhyto Hub IAG provides practical guidance and advice to the IPPC Secretariat on the design, development and deployment of an ePhyto (electronic phytosanitary certification) Solution which consists of a global hub and generic national system to facilitate the international exchange of electronic phytosanitary information by developing countries.

During her stay in Arlington Katy will also be meeting with IGTC member, corporate stakeholders and DC based U.S. government and foreign government stakeholders.

ISF World Seed Congress

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.