International News
Limited ToBRFV Testing Options Now Available for Tomato Seeds
- On October 28, 2020
At the request of USDA-APHIS and ASTA to assist in helping to alleviate current testing backlogs, the Texas Plant...
New Resource to Support Counter-Seasonal Production During the Pandemic
- On October 28, 2020
Travel restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic have caused concern within the seed industry for counter-seasonal production. ASTA members...
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV): The Seed Health Testing Dilemma
- On October 14, 2020
As more countries add seed health testing requirements for ToBRFV on tomato and pepper seed, companies are discovering it...
Electronic Phytosanitary Certificates Accepted Through 2020
- On September 30, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services will continue to accept electronic phytosanitary...
EU Amends ToBRFV Regulation
- On September 30, 2020
The EU has agreed to amend its regulation (EU 2020/1191) which currently precludes tomato and pepper seeds from being...
Coalition Urges USTR and Congress to continue WTO Membership and Reform
- On September 30, 2020
ASTA has joined with a coalition of over 60 agricultural stakeholders calling for continued World Trade Organization (WTO) membership...
Tariffs Return on Vegetable and Flower Seed Imports from China
- On August 19, 2020
On August 6, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative denied ASTA’s one-year tariff extension request for vegetable and...
ASTA Tariff Exclusion Requests Granted for All 20 Seed Products from China
- On June 10, 2020
In late May, ASTA received news that the 12 remaining vegetable and flower seed product exclusion requests were granted...
Good News! Tariff Exclusion Granted for Certain Seed Products from China
- On April 1, 2020
As you know, U.S. seed companies importing vegetable and flower seed from China have been impacted by tariffs since...
2020 Foreign Agricultural Service Trade Missions
- On January 29, 2020
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) is welcoming 2020 with several trade mission announcements. These missions allow for U.S....
Phytosanitary Issues to be Hot Topic at ASTA’s Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
- On January 16, 2020
ASTA’s 59th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, Feb. 1-4 in Monterey, has several sessions dedicated to phytosanitary issues. A...
Final Rule Issued for PVP of Asexually Propagated Varieties in the U.S.
- On January 16, 2020
Click here for the final rule for Plant Variety Protection (PVP) of asexually propagated varieties issued by the USDA...
U.S. China Reach Phase One Trade Deal
- On January 16, 2020
On Wednesday, January 15, the U.S. and China signed a phase...
January Kicks off International Year of Plant Health
- On January 16, 2020
Did you know that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)? Designated by the United Nations General...
ASTA Representatives Travel to Beijing
- On December 18, 2019
ASTA representatives traveled to Beijing, China December 14-18 as a follow up on several activities earlier this year. In...
U.S. – China Reach Phase-One Deal
- On December 18, 2019
On December 13, the U.S. reached a phase-one trade agreement with the Chinese government. As part of the agreement,...
ASTA’s Abigail Struxness Elected to APSA’s Executive Committee
- On December 5, 2019
At the 26th Asian Seed Congress hosted by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), ASTA’s Senior Director of...
APHIS Issues Federal Order Restricting Tomato and Pepper Seed Imports
- On November 20, 2019
On November 15, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a Federal Order (FO) restricting imports of...
U.S. – China Sign “Phase 1” Deal
- On October 23, 2019
On October 11, President Trump announced that the U.S. and China have reached a “phase 1” trade deal, which...
ASTA Hosts Pacific Northwest Import/Export Workshop, November 13-14
- On October 23, 2019
Join ASTA November 13 and 14 in Tacoma, Washington for an educational import/export workshop and tour. Geared towards seed...
ASTA – ABRASEM Host Third Phytosanitary Workshop in Brasilia
- On October 9, 2019
ASTA and the Brazilian Seed Association (ABRASEM) co-hosted an event October 2-4, providing an opportunity for member companies to...
U.S – Japan Sign New “Mini Trade Agreement”
- On October 9, 2019
On October 7, the U.S. and Japan signed a “mini trade agreement,” which includes similar market access as was...
ASTA’s International Executive Committee Holds Fall Meeting
- On September 26, 2019
Wayne Gale, Bill Belzer, and John Latham attending ASTA’s fall IEC meeting ASTA’s International Executive Committee (IEC) held its...
ASTA Members Host China Delegation
- On July 31, 2019
A delegation from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, including the Deputy Director General for the Seed Management...
ASTA Participates in the USAEDC 39th Annual Attaché Conference July 10-11
- On July 18, 2019
The U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council held its 39th annual Attaché Conference in Arlington, VA July 10-11. ASTA staff...
ASTA Co-Hosts U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Workshop
- On July 18, 2019
A delegation of ASTA members and staff are in Mexico City, Mexico July 17-18 for the 2019 U.S. –...
ASTA Represented at ISF World Seed Congress in Nice, France
- On June 13, 2019
Over 1,700 seed industry professionals, representing 63 countries, gathered in Nice, France June 2-5 to attend the International Seed...
USDA Announces Aid for Farmers Impacted by Recent Trade Disruptions
- On May 30, 2019
On May 23, USDA announced plans to provide additional aid to farmers impacted by the current trade disruptions. In...
Positive News for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
- On May 30, 2019
The U.S., Mexico and Canada agreed last week to remove steel and aluminum tariffs as well as the retaliatory...
Seed Industry Discusses Priorities with APHIS
- On May 16, 2019
On May 2, ASTA staff and industry representatives met with USDA-APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea and staff at APHIS headquarters...
Seed Industry to be Impacted by Increased Tariffs on Products from China
- On May 16, 2019
Effective May 10, tariffs on List 3 products increased from 10% to 25%. Any cargo leaving China after May...
ASTA’s “Phyto Man” Ric Dunkle talks with RFD-TV
- On April 29, 2019
On April 12, ASTA Sr. Director of Seed Trade and Health Ric Dunkle was a guest on RFD-TV. Dunkle...
ASTA Applauds International Move to Streamline Phytosanitary System for Seed
- On April 17, 2019
ASTA welcomes the decision by the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) to develop a Systems Approach for seed as...
Importing Seed from India or Turkey?
- On March 20, 2019
Earlier this month, the Trump Administration announced its intention to terminate special trade benefits that India and Turkey had...
Are you getting the Global Seed News?
- On March 20, 2019
As a membership benefit, ASTA members may sign up to receive the association’s quarterly international newsletter, Global Seed News....
ASTA Receives 2019 Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program Funding
- On February 21, 2019
As a USDA cooperator, ASTA receives funding from the department’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program...
ASTA Receives Agricultural Trade Promotion Grant
- On February 21, 2019
Good news! ASTA is the recipient of a $1,375,000 award from USDA’s new Agricultural Trade Promotion program to help...
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement: What’s next?
- On January 30, 2019
Although the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) was signed by the leaders of the three countries last fall, the countries...
China Update: Trade Talks and Plant Breeding Innovation Dialogue
- On January 16, 2019
Last week, senior officials from the United States and China met in Beijing to work towards a resolution on...
Tariff Truce – No Additional Tariffs Levied between China-U.S. for 90-day Negotiation Window
- On December 18, 2018
Following a handshake agreement between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi at the G20 summit, no additional tariffs...
Agriculture & Science Groups Voice Support for International Statement on Plant Breeding Innovation
- On November 20, 2018
ASTA and seventeen other national organizations representing agriculture and science communities recently joined together in signing a statement in...
ASTA Applauds International Statement in Support of Plant Breeding Innovation
- On November 7, 2018
The U.S. and 12 other countries recently signed onto an International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology. The...
ASTA Applies for Agricultural Trade Promotion Funding from USDA
- On November 7, 2018
In light of the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China, USDA is dedicating $200 million to develop alternate...
Global Seed News
- On October 24, 2018
As a membership benefit, ASTA members may sign up to receive the association’s quarterly international newsletter, Global Seed News....
ASTA Pleased with New U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
- On October 9, 2018
On Monday, October 1, the Administration announced an agreement had been reached on a renegotiated trilateral trade deal between...
Seeds Imported From China Subject to Tariffs
- On September 25, 2018
As of September 24, $200 billion worth of goods coming from China to the U.S. are now subject to...
ASTA Requests Exemptions for Seeds on Proposed Tariffs List
- On September 13, 2018
On September 6, ASTA sent a formal letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that seeds for sowing...
U.S, Mexico Agree to Preliminary “Bilateral NAFTA” Deal
- On August 30, 2018
On Monday, August 27, President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announced that the U.S. and Mexico had...
CIOPORA to Host Plant Innovation IP Workshop Sept. 5-6 in D.C.
- On August 30, 2018
On September 5-6, 2018, the International Association of Plant Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Ornamental and Fruit Varieties (CIOPORA) Academy...
- CIOPORA, IP, IP Advanced Level Certification, Plant Innovation, Washington D.C., Workshop
SAA Seed Applied Technologies Survey
- On August 16, 2018
The Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) will meet in Montevideo next month and they asked the National Seed...
ASTA Participates in APEC Meeting in Brisbane
- On August 16, 2018
On August 2-3, ASTA Senior VP of Domestic & International Policy Bernice Slutsky participated in an Asia Pacific Economic...
Join USDA for South Korea Trade Mission, November 5-8
- On July 31, 2018
USDA is sponsoring a trade mission to South Korea November 5-8, 2018. South Korea is a prime market for...
- ASTA, South Korea, Trade, Trade Mission, USDA
European Court of Justice Issues Blow to Ag Innovation
- On July 31, 2018
In a disappointing setback to innovation, the European Union Court (ECJ) on July 25 ruled that gene-edited crops by...
ASTA Participates in FAS Ag Attaché Consultations
- On July 19, 2018
On July 11, ASTA participated in the annual Foreign Agriculture Service Ag Attaché Consultations in Washington, D.C. Director of...
Join USDA for South Africa Trade Mission, Oct. 29-Nov. 3
- On July 5, 2018
USDA is sponsoring a trade mission to South Africa October 29 – November 3, 2018. Registration will be open...
ASTA Participates in APSA Executive Committee Meeting
- On July 5, 2018
ASTA Director of International Programs and Policy Michelle Klieger represented the U.S. Seed Industry at the Asia and Pacific...
Informa Releases New Report on Economic Costs of Chinese Delays on Ag-Biotech Approvals
- On June 5, 2018
On May 30, Informa’s Agribusiness Consulting Group (Informa) released a study about the impacts of China’s ag-biotech regulatory system...
ASTA Promotes Corn Seed Pilot Project in China
- On May 23, 2018
ASTA’s representative in China along with members of the U.S. embassy recently had the opportunity to meet with U.S....
ASTA Participates in International Plant Protection Convention and ISF Meeting in Rome
- On April 26, 2018
ASTA’s Senior Director, Seed Health and Trade, Ric Dunkle traveled to Rome April 10-19 to participate in the International...
Registration is open for AMSAC Annual Convention, Aug. 8-10
- On April 26, 2018
The Mexican Seed Trade Association is hosting its Ordinary General Assembly XLVII and 2018 Annual Convention August 8-10, 2018...
ASTA Participates in IICA Plant Breeding Innovations and Genome Editing Workshop
- On April 11, 2018
On April 4-5, ASTA Director of International Programs & Policy Michelle Klieger participated in a two day workshop on...
USDA Accepting Applications for Japan Trade Mission, June 11-15, 2018
- On April 11, 2018
The following is a message from USDA regarding an upcoming trade mission to Japan. For questions, contact Kelly Crist...
Important Notice Re: Sorghum Seed Shipments to South Korea
- On March 27, 2018
The USDA has been in contact with South Korea regarding recent sorghum seed rejections. South Korea has been testing...
- ASTA
ASTA Delegation in China for First CNSA Annual Congress
- On March 27, 2018
An ASTA delegation is in Beijing for the first annual Chinese National Seed Association (CNSA) Congress, March 23-28. The...
ASTA Calls on Congress to Support Funding for Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Grant Program
- On March 27, 2018
ASTA recently signed onto letters to U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership in support of the Technical Assistance...
Applications Due TOMORROW for USDA South China Trade Mission in May
- On March 12, 2018
Are you interested in joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) agribusiness trade mission to China on May 21-25?...
ISTA Enhances Security of International Seed Analysis Certificates
- On February 28, 2018
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) recently announced enhanced security protection of its orange and blue International Seed Analysis...
ASTA Reps Head to Zurich for ISF March Meetings
- On February 28, 2018
ASTA will have a strong presence at the International Seed Federation (ISF) March meetings next week in Zurich, Switzerland....
U.S. Ambassador to China Briefs ASTA’s FuSE Committee
- On February 28, 2018
On Monday, February 26, ASTA’s Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Committee hosted a special members-only webinar with U.S. Ambassador to...
Study Shows Foreign Competitors Increase Investment in Developing Ag Exports While U.S. Lags Behind
- On February 12, 2018
According to the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports (the Coalition), the latest analysis of foreign export promotion program...
Registration is Open for the African Seed Trade Association Congress, Feb. 27 – March 1 in Cairo
- On January 23, 2018
Registration is open for the 2018 African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress, February 27 – March 1 in Cairo,...
ISTA Accreditation Standard for Seed Testing & Sampling Now Available
- On January 23, 2018
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Accreditation Standard for Seed Testing and Seed Sampling is now available. The official...
Join USDA-APHIS & ASTA for a Special Session on Joint Systems Approaches to Phytosanitary Regulations (ReFreSH): this Friday in San Diego
- On January 23, 2018
In conjunction with the ASTA Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference in San Diego, ASTA and USDA APHIS are hosting a joint...
Registration is Open for the African Seed Trade Association Congress, Feb. 7 – March 1 in Cairo
- On January 9, 2018
Registration is open for the 2018 African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress, February 7 – March 1 in Cairo,...
2018 ISF World Seed Congress Planned for June 3-6 in Australia
- On January 9, 2018
Registration is now open for the International Seed Federation (ISF) 2018 World Seed Congress, June 3-6 in Brisbane, Australia....
ASTA Delegation Visits China
- On November 14, 2017
An ASTA delegation visited China from October 30-November 3 for meetings with key government and seed industry stakeholders. Meetings...
- ASTA, China, Delegation
ASTA Participates in ISF Midterm Meetings in Montreal
- On October 30, 2017
On October 15-20, representatives from ASTA and several of its member companies participated in the International Seed Federation (ISF)...
ASTA Comments on IP Issues with Thailand, Colombia
- On October 30, 2017
ASTA recently submitted comments in response to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) notice of out-of-cycle reviews...
ASTA Participates in African Seed Trade Association Board Meeting in Kenya
- On October 17, 2017
ASTA International Executive Committee (IEC) Member Charles Miller represented ASTA at the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Board of...
ASTA Supports Increased Funding for Critical Ag Export Programs
- On October 3, 2017
ASTA and other members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market...
ASTA Weighs in on Trade Deals
- On September 6, 2017
North American Free Trade Agreement Renegotiations of the 23-year old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) officially started on...
Mexico Seed Testing Harmonization Delegation Visits the US
- On August 23, 2017
A delegation of four officials from the phytosanitary arm of the Mexico Ministry of Agriculture visited Iowa and California...
USTR Announces First-Round of NAFTA Negotiations
- On August 9, 2017
United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently announced the first round of negotiations for the North American Free Trade...
Seed Congress of the Americas Now Accepting Registrations and Poster Submissions
- On August 9, 2017
Registration is open for the 6th Seed Congress of the Americas, September 5-7, 2017 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia....
Canadian Seed Trade Association Names New Executive Director
- On July 13, 2017
The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) recently announced the selection of Dave Carey as the association’s new Executive Director....
ASTA Hosts Chinese Delegation
- On July 13, 2017
A six-person delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture’s Seed Management Bureau and National People’s Congress is currently visiting...
Share the Story of Plant Breeding Innovation with ASTA’s new Better Seed, Better Life Video!
- On July 13, 2017
The latest installment in ASTA’s Better Seed, Better Life initiative is a new animated video, produced in conjunction with...
Seed Congress of the Americas Scheduled for Sept. 5-7 in Colombia
- On June 30, 2017
The 6th Seed Congress of the Americas, hosted by the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) and the Colombian...
Africa Seed Trade Association Visits ASTA
- On June 30, 2017
On June 20-26, ASTA hosted a delegation from the Africa Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Board of Directors. During the...
Seed Congress of the Americas Scheduled for Sept. 5-7 in Colombia
- On June 1, 2017
The 6th Seed Congress of the Americas, hosted by the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) and the Colombian...
ASTA Debuts Pest Risk Database
- On May 18, 2017
ASTA’s new Pest Risk Database has been populated with data for more than 60 key pests of concern, including...
ASTA Delegation Visits China
- On May 5, 2017
ASTA sent its annual spring delegation to Beijing April 17-22. The delegates met with representatives from the Chinese National...
Register for the Seed Congress of the Americas, Sept. 5-7 in Colombia
- On May 5, 2017
Registration is now open for the 6th Seed Congress of the Americas, hosted by the Seed Association of the...
Reminder: Joint U.S./Mexico Phytosanitary Workshop Planned for June 6 & 7 in Nogales, Mexico
- On April 21, 2017
ASTA and the Mexican Seed Trade Association (AMSAC) are hosting a joint workshop to address phytosanitary impediments to seed...
ASTA’s International Executive Committee Meets with Cuba Ambassador
- On April 21, 2017
On April 3 in Washington, D.C., ASTA leadership and members of the International Executive Committee (IEC) met with José...
Long Awaited International Seed Standard is Good News for U.S. Seed Industry
- On April 21, 2017
On April 6, a final International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for Seed was agreed to during the International...
ASTA Hires Industry Representative in China
- On April 6, 2017
In March, ASTA hired a representative in China to participate in meetings with Chinese partners when ASTA is not...
Don’t forget to register for the 2017 ISF Congress in Budapest
- On March 24, 2017
Advance registration for the 2017 International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress will remain open until May 9, 2017. ...
ASTA Represented at African Seed Trade Association Annual Congress
- On March 24, 2017
The African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) held its 2017 Annual Congress in Dakar, Senegal February 28 – March 3,...
New Market Information Available on China
- On March 24, 2017
The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) recently released two market reports on China. The reports are helpful tools for...
