April 23, 2013
- On April 23, 2013
|
|
ASTA Attends Annual Meeting of the International Plant Protection Commission (IPPC)
The body that establishes international phytosanitary standards for agriculture, the IPPC, held its annual meeting last week in Rome, Italy. Ric Dunkle, ASTA’s senior director for seed health and trade, attended the meeting as a member of the ISF delegation. For the past several years, in partnership with ISF and regional and national seed associations, ASTA has been advocating for IPPC to develop a global standard for the international movement of seed to help resolve phytosanitary and other barriers that hamper seed trade. Over 120 of the 178 IPPC member countries were represented at the meeting, which included key delegates from participating member countries, the IPPC secretariat and regional plant protection organizations (RPPO).
The ISF delegation organized a seminar to discuss the role of seed as a pathway for the introduction and spread of unwanted pests and diseases, which is expected to be addressed in the new seed standard. Over 35 delegates representing all seven FAO regions attended the seminar.
The IPPC Standards Committee recently established the Expert Working Group (EWG) that will draft the standard and while in Rome, Ric Dunkle and Radha Ranganathan (ISF) met with the EWG’s steward (Soledad Castro from the Chilean NPPO) to discuss the process and how the seed industry can help. The EWG will meet July 1-5 to develop the first draft; however, there will be calls for information in preparation for that meeting and the seed industry will have the opportunity to submit information. The EWG also has one invited member representing the global seed industry who will serve in an ex officio capacity. Now that the process has begun, the development and adoption of this standard will take at least three years.
Other issues of concern to the seed industry that were on the agenda of the IPPC included standard setting activities on electronic phytosanitary certification and inspection of sea containers. Both of these projects are in the developmental stage.
ASTA’s Executive Committee Meets with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack During Spring Meeting
Members of ASTA’s Executive Committee met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss such key issues as: the need for continued high level science and engineering education programs for agriculture students; support for the National Plant Germplasm System and the Genetic Enhancement of Maize program; and the evolving adoption of seed treatments in our industry. Secretary Vilsack expressed his support for the seed industry’s priorities and for ASTA leading initiatives related to those issues.
In addition, the Executive Committee reviewed the final draft of the revised ASTA Strategic Plan that will be rolled out at the 2013 Annual Meeting in Nashville; received an update on the Patent Expiration Accord process; discussed the draft association budget for FY 2013-14; considered the government affairs strategy for state and federal advocacy; and received an update on ASTA’s international activities.
|
Speak Up! How to be an Effective Advocate for Our Industry
When it comes to letting legislators and regulators know the seed industry’s positions on important issues, there are strategies and techniques that can help to "enlighten" them! Learn how to educate and influence decision-makers at the upcoming Speak Up! How to be an Effective Advocate for Our Industry workshop at the ASTA Annual Convention in Nashville, June 15-19.
This interactive session, which will focus on the biotech labeling proposals that seem to be creating havoc in state capitols, will include an update on efforts to address the GE labeling proposals, insight into delivering effective messages and overcoming objections to GE products, and tips on becoming a powerful advocate for the seed industry. Questions? Email Pat Miller, Director of State Affairs, at pmiller@ameseed.org.
Early bird registration rates for the Annual Convention end on May 4th. Register online now!
Of the estimated 150,000 bills introduced during the 2013 state legislative cycle, ASTA is monitoring 112 that may impact the seed industry and is coordinating efforts with the state and regional associations as applicable.
Key issues this year include GE labeling, invasive and native species, taxes, trespassing/strict liability, bee health and pollinators, and farmer’s markets. GE labeling has been the biggest issue with legislation introduced in 26 states (and indications of a bill being introduced soon in Congress). In Washington state, a petition was successfully filed (I-522) to require the general public, rather than the legislature, to vote in November whether they will be the first state to require GE labeling on all food products and seed packaging.
In Oregon, ASTA is supporting a preemption bill that, if passed, will permit legislation affecting seed to be established only at the state level; thereby prohibiting enactment or enforcement of any local measures to regulate seed. The bill passed out of Senate committee on April 11th and is now headed for a vote of the full Senate.
ASTA International Executive Committee Meets in DC
The ASTA International Executive Committee (IEC), which guides ASTA’s international activities and sets it’s international priorities, held meetings in Washington, DC, April 8-10, 2013. Items on the agenda included current trade issues and opportunities, as well as recent and upcoming international activities and programs supported through the USDA Cooperator Programs. The IEC alsomet with the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, and the Embassies of Argentina, Brazil, The People’s Republic of China, Mexico, and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.
"Our IEC members’ commitments to guide ASTA’s USDA Cooperators Program activities and to represent ASTA at the international stakeholder/organization level are key to our success as an industry in a global marketplace," said Tom Moore, IEC Chairman, "We had a timely and significant set of meetings last week and will look forward to reconvening again in June at ASTA’s Annual Convention in Nashville."
To learn more about how you and your organization can engage in ASTA’s international programs and efforts please contact Lisa Nichols, Director of Science and International Affairs, at LNichols@amseed.org.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Protect Agriculture, Food Processing and Pest Control Industries From New EPA Regulation
U.S. Representatives Tom Graves (R-GA-14) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), along with a bipartisan group of 13 other Members of Congress, introduced the Pest Free Food Supply Act on April 11 to protect access to the fumigant Sulfuryl Fluoride (SF), one of industry’s few broad-spectrum pest management options for commodity and food processing facilities.
In 2011, the EPA proposed to remove the approved tolerances that authorized the use of SF. Noting the potential negative impact if industry were to lose access to it, Rep. Graves, the lead sponsor of the bill stated, "I am pleased that we have a bipartisan coalition in Congress that recognizes the importance of this safe, common and scientifically sound process. If EPA moves forward with this proposed regulation based on emotion, instead of scientific facts, it will cost consumers and industry dearly and has the potential to send American jobs overseas."
Joining Reps. Graves and Schrader were 13 cosponsors: Reps. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Bob Latta (R-OH), Austin Scott (R-GA), Steve Southerland (R-FL), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Ted Yoho (R-FL), David Valadao (R-CA) and Paul Broun (R-GA).
When the proposed rule was released, ASTA was one of many food and agricultural organizations to submit comments to EPA requesting that the existing tolerances be maintained. As a member of the Sulfuryl Fluoride Agricultural Coalition ASTA supports the Pest Free Food Supply Act along with other national organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Cocoa Merchants’ Association of America, National Confectioners Association’s Chocolate Council, National Pasta Association, National Pest Management Association, North American Millers’ Association, USA Rice Federation and Western Growers.
|
Be a Mentor for the Next Generation of Seed Industry Professionals!
ASTA’s Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Campus Connections program provides a unique opportunity for college juniors to interact with seed industry professionals and senior executives – like YOU – at major ASTA events. The students learn about the many facets of the industry while networking and making connections with representatives from different seed organizations.
The quality of our future seed industry workforce depends on the guidance of today’s industry leaders. Contact the FuSE Campus Connections sub-committee for more information on how you can support the program as a mentor.
Sarah Neuharth: sarah.neuharth@pioneer.com 515.535.0289
Caitlin Keck: caitlin.keck@pioneer.com 515.535.0312
Casey Zeller: casey.zeller@agreliantgenetics.com 317.896.5556, ext. 254
AND, if you know a college junior majoring in a seed-related field of study, encourage him/her to apply for the 2013 FuSE Campus Connections Program! Click here to download an application and view more information. The deadline to apply is April 26, 2013.
ISU Seed Science Center to Host New Symposium Series, April 23-24
The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is launching a new symposium series that will focus on issues of current importance to public sector seed science and the seed industry. More information can be found here.
Registration for the symposium is $150 for non-ISU faculty. Click here to register online.
Register Today for the 2013 ISF World Seed Congress in Athens
Join the over 1500 participants registered for the ISF World Congress 2013 to take advantage of the opportunity to trade seed, to learn about new seed technologies, and to efficiently move seed globally. There will also be opportunities to learn the latest in intellectual property rights, phytosanitary issues and trade rules. Online registration closes May 9, 2013. If you do not register by May 9, you will have to contact the ASTA office to confirm your ASTA membership in order to register onsite in Athens. Click here for registration information.
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of seed industry leader, Robert (Bob) Ball. Bob was an active member of the California Seed Association and contributed a great deal to the industry over his long career at UC Davis and California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA). Among his many accomplishments, Bob played a major role in the construction of a new Seed Research Center at UC Davis, a unique cooperative effort between the private sector and the university. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from the university in 1985. Click here to read Bob Ball’s complete obituary.
Summit Plant Laboratories, Inc.
|
Review and Update Your ASTA Membership Profile Through Our New Portal
The American Seed Trade Association is excited to launch the first phase of its new "Members Only" section. Please keep in mind that this section will continue to grow in terms of features and members-only benefits. We ask for your patience as we continue to make it more robust.
Steps to Login:
- Go to the www.amseed.org.
- Click the "Members Only" button (will take you to the members only portal login page).
- Click on the LOGIN button to the left of the page
- If you have already set up a password, enter your username and password and select "Go"
- Members who have not yet logged-in to the new members only portal: –Username is your primary business email address –Default password is "Password1"
- After logging in for the first time, you will then be prompted to create a new password (must be at least 6 characters).
Once you are logged-in, you will be able to:
- View and manage your profile;
- Update your contact information;
- Search the membership and individual directory;
- Stay up-to-date on association activities;
- Register for events and much more.
Thank you for your support and participation. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the ASTA office at 703-837-8140 or info@amseed.org.
|
It’s your membership and financial support that allows ASTA to do this work and get you the information you need. Please encourage other seed industry colleagues to join ASTA and contribute to success of the industry. |
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.
