NAEGA is working closely with the USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding the recent suspension of soybean imports into Russia by the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS). VPSS has suspended U.S soybean imports due to the presence weed seeds, including ambrosia, in soybean shipments. This suspension of imports follows a series of letters, actions and meetings between VPSS and APHIS regarding the presence of quarantine weeds in soybean shipments, including letter in 2012, and February, March, and June of 2016. In APHIS’ most recent letter on June 2 the agency lays out a point by point clarification of the information sought by APHIS regarding this emergency action and reiterates its belief that this suspension is unjustified and trade distorting under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

NAEGA will continue to follow this issue closely as events unfold. A copy of the APHIS letter to VPSS can be found here. For more information, please contact Gary or Ryan.