On June 2-12 Gary Martin and Katy Lee travelled to London, United Kingdom to attend and participate in an IGTC Strategy Session, IGTC Management Council meeting, the International Grains Council (IGC) 2017 Grains Conference and the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) Annual Dinner. During the IGTC Strategy Session the IGTC brought together grain trade leaders from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Ukraine and USA in London to discuss IGTC policy, dedicating the most time to two “Focus Sessions” on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and plant breeding innovation. As a result of the meeting in London, and the work of the IGTC’s Policy Team on MRLs over the last months, there was the approval of the IGTC’s position on MRLs which is intended to be used as a reference point for global advocacy efforts. The group also agreed on the importance of engaging with the annual meeting of the “Global Low Level Presence Initiative” (GLI) in Rome this week (June 14-15), which will see the governments of Canada and Colombia lead discussions on practical solutions to trade disruptions resulting from unworkable approaches to LLP in the supply chain.

Following the Strategy Session the Management Council met to discuss IGTC operations and finances. On June 6 Gary and Katy attended the IGC 2017 Grains Conference, led by IGC Executive Director Etsuo Kitahara. The sessions included presentations by U.S. grain actors, including Randy Ritchie of Gavilon, Vince Peterson of U.S. Wheat Associates, Jeff Zyskowski of Ardent Mills and Seth Meyer of the USDA. On June 7 Gary attended and represented NAEGA and the IGTC at the GAFTA Annual Dinner.