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October 29 , 2008
Market Choices® Suspended by the U.S. Seed Industry ASTA announced on Oct. 20, 2008, the suspension of the grain marketing program and certification mark, Market Choices®, which will be phased out by the Fall of 2009. This decision comes as the trade of U.S. corn, corn gluten feed and distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) with the European Union (EU) has essentially stopped due to the lack of timely regulatory approvals for corn biotech traits. Although the U.S. has seen continued rapid development and adoption of these traits over the last 13 years, the regulatory approvals for grain and other feed products derived from this technology to enter the EU has lagged significantly behind U.S. and global approvals. A zero tolerance for traits not fully approved in the EU has made importation of U.S. corn and derived products virtually impossible since 2007. The Market Choices® certification mark was established in 2002 to help growers and grain handlers identify non-EU approved corn hybrids. When biotechnology crops were first introduced, corn producers were faced with new choices when selecting corn hybrids best suited for their operation. The Market Choices® certification mark has been used industry-wide to help growers easily identify corn hybrids with enhanced traits, fully approved for food and feed use in the U.S., Canada and Japan, but not yet approved in the EU. As a result, Market Choices® serves as a tool for growers to identify these hybrids and segregate the grain away from the EU export market. Representatives of the European agricultural industry have requested the European Commission allow a tolerance for biotechnology traits not yet approved in Europe but approved in the country of origin. The Commission and EU Member States failed to agree on the adoption of a tolerance at the most recent meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health at the end of September. "Discussions have been held in the EU seeking an allowable tolerance for biotech traits approved in the U.S. but not in the EU to facilitate trade, but there is no indication that such a tolerance, if granted, would be at a commercially viable level for exports to continue from the United States," commented ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "Most importantly, the EU regulatory system continues to be unpredictable with respect to the review and approval of biotechnology products, which negatively impacts Europe's feed and livestock industries, growers, and ultimately consumers. ASTA has worked over the last year with its members and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to evaluate the future of the Market Choices® certification mark. "We reviewed the effectiveness, usefulness and value of the certification mark. After careful consideration, ASTA decided to suspend the use of the Market Choices® certification mark and program over the next year," said LaVigne. "However, the seed industry will continue to assist stakeholders by providing information regarding regulatory approval of biotech events in export markets to growers through the National Corn Growers Association and their related program, Know Before You Grow." ASTA stresses the importance of finding an approved market for grain derived from biotech products. LaVigne also noted that if the EC should provide for a commercially viable tolerance or demonstrate a functioning regulatory system for the approval of biotech events, ASTA would evaluate reestablishing the use of the Market Choices® certification mark and the related program with any appropriate adjustments needed to make the program effective. ASTA Critical Issues Session to Deliver Economic Perspective for Ag at Farm & Lawn Seed Conference. ASTA announced speakers addressing timely and relevant issues at ASTA's Farm and Lawn Seed Conference held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association's (WSA) Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 2-3, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. Jeff Greenlee of NBC Bank in Altus, Okla., will be the featured speaker at ASTA's new Critical Issues Session, conducted between the meetings of the Farm and Lawn Seed Divisions on Monday, Nov. 3. Greenlee will discuss the impacts of the economic slowdown on agricultural financial markets and what it means for American seed businesses. The Critical Issues Session will also include important updates on phytosanitary issues, intellectual property rights, state and regional legislative updates, and more. The Lawn Seed Division meeting will include Michael Boekholder, head groundskeeper for the Philadelphia Phillies, an eight-time winner of the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers Committee's "Groundskeeper of the Year" award. ASTA Debuts Production and Industry Workshop at CSS 2008 and Seed Expo.
A new Production and Industry Workshop, a featured addition to the programming at ASTA's CSS 2008 and Seed Expo, held Dec. 9-12, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, will bring more value to attendees than ever before. Offering timely and relevant educational programming beyond the traditional research and scientific scope of the CSS conference, the workshop will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec. 9-10) from 3-4:30 p.m. each day. Topics will include a "Recession-Proofing Your Business" and sales strategy presentation on Tuesday and a seed testing workshop by Tim Gutormson of Mid-West Seed Services on Wednesday, followed by a weather risk presentation offered by Weather Bill. Admission to the Production and Industry Workshop will be included in the cost of a Seed Expo Day Pass - the first time educational programming has been included in this discounted registration category. Day Passes can be purchased for $50 per day; however Day Passes are complimentary to first-time attendees, those in production or operational roles or those who are invited by a Seed Expo exhibitor company. Contact any Seed Expo exhibitor to request a complimentary Day Pass to the trade show and Production and Industry Workshop. The CSS 2008 (representing the 63rd Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference and the 38th Soybean Seed Research Conference) has been streamlined to provide a series of sessions on improving yields, soybean seed treatments, traits and more during the two and a half days of programming. Please refer to the research conference agenda for more information. Deadlines Fast Approaching for CSS 2008 & Seed Expo.
The regular registration deadline for ASTA's CSS 2008 and Seed Expo (also known as the Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference) is Saturday, Nov. 15, after which registration prices increase by $50 for members, $75 for non-members, and $25 for spouses. Limited hotel reservations are still available at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Chicago, until the ASTA group rate deadline of Sunday, Nov. 9, so be sure to reserve your hotel room today. Hotel reservations may also be made at ASTA's official overflow hotel, the Sheraton Chicago, at the same ASTA group rate of $118 per night. The conference is the largest seed industry convention in the country, attracting nearly 2,500 attendees and 110 exhibitors each year. Registration options this year offer new discounted $50 day passes to the Seed Expo and complimentary access for attendees who are in production, plant operations or similar roles or to those who have not attended the show in the past five years. Complimentary Day Passes are also available to those who are invited by a Seed Expo exhibitor company. Contact any Seed Expo exhibitor to request a complimentary Day Pass to the trade show and Production and Industry Workshop. Offering a sneak preview of the Seed Expo is the "Exhibitor Marketplace" event on Tuesday, Dec. 9, which opens the trade show and is once again free. The Seed Expo offers networking for all segments of the seed industry. Visit the CSS 2008 Web site to learn additional information about this annual December conference and the trade show. Registration Opens for ASTA's 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference.
Click here to register for the 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference to be held Feb. 7-10, 2009, at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. This year's conference returns to the traditional Saturday to Tuesday pattern. Attendees will find a comprehensive education program addressing biotechnology, organic production, intellectual property protection and more, as well as a thriving networking environment in the Trading Room. Take advantage of the special events and outings available in conjunction with the conference. ASTA's own "Gasparilla Welcome Reception" on Sunday, Feb. 8, will feature food, fun, entertainment and networking and will build off of Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Festival. ASTA Gives Back will offer volunteers the opportunity to participate in a special community outreach project at the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa, and the ASTA Golf Tournament will be held at TPC Tampa Bay. Register now for the conference and reserve your hotel room at the special group rate. For more information, contact Jennifer Lord. Meet Your ASTA Staff
Jason Laney is ASTA's director of membership services. In this capacity, Jason oversees the association's membership department including recruitment and retention efforts as well as identifying ways to enhance the experience of its members. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is an avid downhill skier and racer as well as a national leader in the Boy Scouts of America. Following his graduation, Jason attended Furman University in Greenville, S.C., where he majored in political science. Jason moved to Washington, D.C., after earning his degree to work in AARP's National Events office. In this capacity, Jason assisted in the planning of an annual convention with an attendance of 30,000 and numerous regional events. In 2005, Jason joined ASTA in the meetings department before transitioning into his current role of membership director in January 2007. When asked about the best part of working for ASTA, he replied, "We all feel privileged to work with our wonderful members. Having such a diverse membership provides us with many opportunities to create the best possible business environment for each member company." If you have any questions about how your company can enhance its involvement in the association or ideas of how ASTA can more effectively serve your company, please contact Jason. ASTA Follows Developments in the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. ASTA participated in an Oct. 23 conference call on a key provision contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of implementing part of the renewable fuel standards program as contained in EISA. Under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), EPA sets an annual benchmark representing the amount of renewable fuel that must be used by each gasoline refiner, blender or importer. In particular, ASTA is concerned that EISA includes several important definitional changes relating to a fuel's qualification as a renewable fuel for purposes of satisfying the RFS. Previously, the term "renewable fuel" included all fuels produced from plant or animal products or wastes. Under EISA, the term "renewable fuel" is now defined to mean a "fuel that is produced from renewable biomass and that is used replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel present in a transportation fuel." ASTA anticipates that the EPA will publish a proposed rule within the next month. ASTA will closely follow these ongoing developments along with other agricultural stakeholders.
Educational Tour Shows Benefits of Agricultural Biotechnology. The AgBiotech Planning Committee (ABPC), ASTA and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) hosted an educational trip on the beneficial impact of agricultural biotechnology in the United States. ABPC members escorted diplomats stationed in Washington, DC, from a variety of U.S. export markets, including the European Union, France, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, China, Egypt, Japan and Mexico. This trip highlighted the development of biotechnology crops and focused on the harvest, transportation and export of corn and soybeans from a farm to the port of New Orleans. Participants saw how grains are transported and the infrastructure of the bulk grain handling system, touring elevators and rail and barge loading operations. Experiencing firsthand how the technology is developed, incorporated into the seed, and then utilized by the grower and moved into the grain system to be used domestically and abroad is invaluable. ASTA Vice President of Government Affairs Leslie Cahill represented ASTA in the event. "ASTA was pleased to be a part of the AgBiotech Planning Committee's Educational Commodity Tour. The embassies' representatives joined members of the agricultural community to listen, learn and experience the technologies, innovation and commitment that continues to drive American agriculture. Events like this provide a forum that showcases the best of American agriculture from seed, to field, to harvest, to barge and beyond," said Cahill. ASTA Addresses Seed Arbitration Legislation in New York. On Oct. 23, the New York State Seed Association (NYSSA) and ASTA met with key New York state legislative staffers in Albany. The purpose of the meeting was to assist with advancing the seed arbitration legislation introduced earlier in the year. Ritchie Lent, Seedway LLC, representing the NYSSA and the New York Farm Bureau, ASTA Director of State Affairs Pat Miller and Jeff Williams, legislative director of the New York Farm Bureau, held discussion with representatives from the New York legislative offices of the House Legislative Counsel, House Ag Committee Chair Magee and Senate Ag Committee Chair Young. The seed industry was able to convey their concern that the language of the bill as introduced was not what was expected when the concept was first discussed. The legislative staffers were open to suggestions for improving the language and agreed to consider the industry's proposed changes before moving forward with the bill. Seed preemption legislation was also discussed, and suggested language was provided as referenced in Recommended Uniform State Seed Law (RUSSL). The NYSSA and the New York Farm Bureau have requested Assemblyman Magee and Senator Young each to sponsor a preemption bill in the next legislative session to begin Feb. 5, 2009. Indiana State Seed Association Marks 30th Anniversary. The 2008 Corn Belt Seed Conference is slated for Nov. 10-12 in Indianapolis, Ind., where the Indiana Seed Trade Association (ISTA) will celebrate its 30th year of existence. Approximately 250 attendees from Indiana and neighboring states are anticipated to attend the annual meeting. ISTA is comprised of 100 members, with 61 percent family-owned seed farm operations. Its members produce seed on more than 277,000 acres in Indiana and inject over $13,000,000 in premium seed production payments into the Indiana farm economy. The association aims to develop friendly business relations between its members, to promote the legitimate interests of seed trade within the state, and to cooperate with educational and regulatory authorities in the development of sound and effective seed programs in the interests of agriculture. Historically, Indiana seedsmen have been leaders in many areas of the seed trade. Active involvement of members will help fulfill current and future needs of all seedsmen. ASTA congratulates ISTA on this monumental anniversary. For more information on the 2008 Corn Belt Seed Conference, please visit the ISTA Web site. ASTA's International Executive Committee (IEC) Meeting a Success. The IEC met Oct. 16-17 in Alexandria, Va. In addition to the official two-day meeting, the IEC hosted members of ASTA's China and India Working Groups to attend meetings with the U.S. government on Oct. 15. Attendees met with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. Patent Trade Office-Intellectual Property Policy and Enforcement and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative-Agriculture Affairs, Intellectual Property Office and Asia Office. This exchange with government representatives was complimentary to the focus of the IEC business meeting to discuss ASTA's international priorities and activities in ASTA's key markets. ASTA's priority markets are Argentina, Brazil, China, India and Mexico. Country Working Groups for each of these markets exist to address specific constraints to the trade of U.S. seed into each country. These issues range from intellectual property rights, phytosanitary regulations and biotechnology, specifically in regard to low-level presence. The structure and schedule for ASTA's Country Working Groups was a central focus of the IEC meetings this month, in addition to the status of ASTA's 2008 and 2009 USDA Cooperator Programs, the upcoming International Seed Federation committee and section meetings in November, and the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Low-level Presence Project. "The new format to include the extra day of meetings, focusing on a couple of our priority detailed plan moving forward," stated Bryan Gerard of JGL Inc. and chairman of the IEC. The IEC is slated to next meet at the ASTA offices, from March 17-19, 2009. For more information, please contact ASTA Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols. NAPPO Takes a Look at Seed Trade Issues. TheNorth American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) is a regional phytosanitary standards setting body that operates under the auspices of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Mexico, the U.S., and Canada are members. Regional standards developed by NAPPO to harmonize agricultural trade among the three countries are often brought to the IPPC for adoption as global standards. Over the past eight to 10 years, little to no attention has been given to the needs of the seed industry even though international movement of seed has increased drastically over this period. Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade, attended the 32nd Annual Meeting of NAPPO in Guadalajara, Mexico. At the meeting and on behalf of ASTA and its members, Dunkle proposed that NAPPO establish a seed technical panel to focus on the issues associated with the movement of seed among NAPPO countries. As a result, the commitment was made to establish a panel to look at the development of relevant standards for seed. In particular, three immediate issues will be addressed: seed re-export, accreditation of third parties (including seed companies) to conduct activities that support issuance of phytosanitary certificates (such as what is currently practiced in the U.S. through the National Seed Health System), and development of harmonized seed health testing methods and associated protocols. Industry experts will be called upon to participate in this panel, along with regulatory and public sector research experts. The panel will have representatives from all three NAPPO countries. "This is an exciting development," said Dunkle. "Regional and global standards specifically for seed will even the playing field, remove technical barriers, and achieve more certainty and predictability that our companies need to effectively do business internationally." ASTA Participates in AMSAC Mexico Phytosanitary Workshop. ASTA First Vice Chairman Jerry Monk, Warner Seeds, ASTA member Donnie Swink, Crosbyton Seed Company, and Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director for seed health and trade, participated in a phytosanitary workshop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Mexican Seed Trade Association (AMSAC). This workshop, co-sponsored by ASTA, focused on the current status of sorghum ergot and efforts to deregulate Mexico's current seed import requirements, Mexico's overall phytosanitary regulations of seeds and risk assessment. Dr. Noe Montes of the National Institute of Research for Forestry, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (INIFAP), Mexico's agricultural research arm, gave a technical update of ergot in Mexico. This pathogen is now widely prevalent in Mexico's sorghum production areas, but can be effectively managed through choosing planting dates that avoid the environmental conditions which promote infection. With support from AMSAC and help from ASTA, Montes is conducting a risk assessment that would provide additional scientific evidence to support repeal of the current restrictions on incoming seed. Mexico is targeting late 2008 or early 2009 to finalize this decision. Ric Dunkle was also asked to participate in a panel discussion on risk assessment and phytosanitary regulation with seed industry scientists and Mexican regulatory officials. Dunkle stressed the need for communication between seed companies, ASTA and AMSAC, and between the seed associations and their respective governments. "Seed issues are frequently overshadowed by other higher profile trade issues," noted Dunkle. "ASTA and AMSAC need to work closely together to communicate the seed industry's needs on both sides of the border to our respective government agencies, Sanidad Vegetal and USDA. When both governments are mutually aware of the important issues that need resolution, progress can be made." ASTA Members Have Access to International Activity Information. ASTA's Global Markets information is now posted on the Members Only section of the ASTA Web site. Members can access information from all international activities including the recent Asia Pacific Seed Association Phytosanitary Workshop and the Seed Association of Americas Phytosanitary Workshop. Past and current activities focused on phytosanitary, intellectual property rights, biotechnology and global markets in general are also available. Members should visit the Global Markets section of the Members Only Web page and choose the sub-section of interest for access to the information. The Global Markets section will be updated regularly. For more information, please contact Lisa Nichols. ASTA to Participate in APSA Trade Exhibition. ASTA will attend the upcoming Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) Congress Nov. 9-12, in Hyderabad, India. ASTA has also arranged to participate in the congress' trade show. The APSA Trade Exhibition offers ASTA an excellent opportunity to communicate with APSA members and regional stakeholders on ASTA's mission and the importance of Intellectual Property Rights in the global marketplace, as well as demonstrate and discuss the ASTA Seed Quality Management Guide. ASTA staff, including President and CEO Andy LaVigne, Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky and Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols, will attend the congress and exhibition. For those attending the Congress, please visit ASTA at Booth Space E05! For more information, contact Lisa Nichols. Oct. 21-22. ASTA Director for State Affairs Pat Miller attended the Northeast Issues Summit in Mystic, Conn. The event, sponsored by CropLife America and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), featured updates on legislative activity expectations specific to agriculture for the region. Collective strategy development and individual sharing of information were the secondary focal point of the sessions. Oct. 23. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne participated in a meeting between the AgBiotech Planning Committee (ABPC) and Aleta Botts, majority staff of the House Agriculture Committee. Ms. Botts requested the meeting to discuss the positions of ABPC members with regard to implementation of the findings of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Biotech Case against the European Union. Oct. 24. ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky attended the planning meeting of the Global AP (Adventitious Presence) Coalition (GAPC) in Washington, DC. The primary focus of the meeting was to review work for next year and future outreach activities for the group. Included in these discussions were the seed low level presence (LLP) project in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the database to be developed by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support countries' food safety assessments for LLP presence of biotech events not yet approved in their country, but approved in a country of origin. INCOTEC to Celebrate 40 Years. ASTA member, INCOTEC, will mark its 40th anniversary on Nov. 7, in Salinas, Calif. INCOTEC provides various seed and coating technology methods. The company is active in the markets of vegetables, flowers, tobacco and large field crops. INCOTEC focuses on improving plantability and seed emergence by developing technologies such as pelleting, film coating, priming, upgrading and disinfection against seedborne diseases. ASTA congratulates INCOTEC on their 40th anniversary! APSA Director Retires. The Asia Pacific Seed Association's (APSA) director, Dr. Sampan Campiranon, will enter retirement as of Oct. 31, 2008. Dr. Campiranon has been affiliated with APSA since June 2006. Dr. Campiranon has been widely involved in the international seed business, biotechnology and agriculture. Following Dr. Campiranon's retirement, Dr. Zenaida Ganga, previously hired as deputy director, has been appointed as APSA's acting director. ASTA would like to extend their best wishes to Dr. Campiranon on his retirement and will look forward to working with Dr. Ganga and the APSA Secretariat and staff in the future. Two New Web Sites Offered by Seed Industry Associations. The Western Seed Association (WSA) and the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) announced the launch of new Web sites for each association. On the WSA Web site (www.westernseedassociation.org), information is provided on the history of the association, membership and meeting and scholarship opportunities. Similar information can also be found on the new IPSA Web site (www.independentseed.com). Both associations have launched the new sites to better serve their membership.
USDA
USDA/AMS
USDA/ARS USDA/APHIS
USDA/CSREES
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Click here for a schedule of additional industry events ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.
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Grain Handler's Database • Seed Quality Management • CSS 2008 & Seed Expo • 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference • 125th Annual Convention |