USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee to Meet

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has posted a notice that the AMS Grain Inspection Advisory Committee will meet in Kansas City, MO on August 15 and 16, 2019.  The Inspection Advisory Committee meets twice annually to advise AMS on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. This will be the first meeting of the Committee since September 2018. Recommendations by the committee help AMS to better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace. The agenda will include updates an AMS rulemaking, discussion of organic labeling on Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) documents, and update and exemption on boundary exemptions and other relevant topics.

The current makeup of the Advisory Committee is as follows:

U.S. House Passes Farm Bankruptcy Bill

On July 25, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that eases Chapter 12 bankruptcy limits for farmers.

The bill, H.R. 2336 (116), would expand the debt cap covered under Chapter 12 bankruptcy to $10 million from the current debt limit of $4.15 million. The bill would enable farmers to qualify for Chapter 12 bankruptcy if their total debt is less than $10 million.

The measure passed by voice vote and was sponsored by House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and committee members Representatives Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) and T.J. Cox (D-Calif.).

A similar bipartisan version has been introduced in the Senate S. 897 (116), backed by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). However, the measure has yet to be marked by the Judiciary Committee.

U.S. EPA will not Ban Chlorpyrifos

On July 18, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will not ban the use of chlorpyrifos. The action came in response to an appellate court decision earlier this year ordering the agency to respond to a petition from environmental groups that sought to ban the widely used pesticide. July 18 was the final day EPA could respond under the court’s timeline. More details on the EPA’s decision can be found here.

USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service Survey on Communications

As part of a 2019 Strategic Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) is evaluating the effectiveness of communication through the use of instructions materials such as handbooks, directives, and program notices. FGIS’ Field Management Division (FMD) is seeking feedback on the current status of their instructions and has developed a short survey to assist them in their evaluation. The survey will accept responses until August 30, 2019 and can be found through this link.

NAEGA Meeting with JFMA and JFTA on Corn Quality

On July 22, 2019, NAEGA staff attended a meeting with the Japan Feed Manufacturers Association (JFMA) and the Japan Feed Trade Association (JFTA), hosted by the U.S. Grains Council. The meeting addressed topics regarding corn quality, foreign material in U.S. corn exports and ways to increase U.S. corn exports to Japan. Japan continues to be a critical export market for U.S. farmers and the frank and open discussion with the Japanese delegation provided a forum to build on the existing trade partnership. NAEGA also connected with JFTA to begin planning for a Contracts and Best Practices Seminar to take place in Tokyo later this year.

For more information about NAEGA’s meeting with the Japanese delegation at the U.S. Grains Council contact Gary or Patrick.

NAEGA SIG On Peru CVD/AD Case

The NAEGA Special Interest Group (SIG) on the Peru’s self-initiation of a countervailing duty case against U.S. origin yellow corn case received an update on recent developments on Thursday, July 25. The SIG heard from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Grains Council.

NAEGA is coordinating the Special Interest Group (SIG) in order to facilitate a coordinated industry response. If you are interested in joining the SIG, please contact Gary or Patrick. 

Draft Japanese Standards for Gene Editing

The Japanese Government has recently released two draft rules and guideline regarding gene edited food products:

1. On June 28, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF) published a draft guideline on the Specific Information Disclosure Procedures of Living Organisms Obtained through Use of Genome Editing Technology in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Fields. Comments, written in Japanese, due to be submitted on Monday, July 29, 2019.
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3. On June 27, 2019, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) released  as draft rule on Handling Procedure of Foods and Food Additives Derived from Genome Editing Technology under Food Sanitation Act. Comments, written in Japanese, due to be submitted on Friday, July 26, 2019. 

Translations, provided by the U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service, are available through this link.

The NAEGA Production Technology Committee is considering submitting comments on these drafts.  NAEGA Members who are interested in contributing to these comments should contact a member of the Committee or Staff.

IPPC Draft ISPMs

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is seeking comments on a number of draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). The IPPC has released a list of draft ISPMs that have been approved by the IPPC Standards Committee (SC) for consultation, starting July 1, 2019. The consultation period ends on September 30, 2019. 

The draft ISPMs can be accessed through this link.

The Grades and Inspections Committee has addressed several aspects of IPPC standards in the past and is considering submitting comments on these drafts.  Members who are interested in contributing to these comments should contact Patrick or Gary.