American Soybean Association requests meeting to discuss aquaculture

American Soybean Association President Danny Murphy has written to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, requesting a joint meeting to discuss U.S. aquaculture.
"…we are aligned with the Administration's view that the U.S. aquaculture industry has the potential to supply our domestic seafood needs as well as the growing global demand," the letter reads. "Furthermore, a recent document from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations listed the U.S. as #1 in the world for offshore marine fish production potential by accounting for area of the EEZ with appropriate depth, currents, temperature and distance to ports for finfish production … In a time when economic impact and job creation is of critical importance, we have the opportunity to develop an industry that can provide real opportunities in rural and coastal communities."
The association's letter concludes: "If the domestic aquaculture industry is going to keep pace with global growth rates, regulatory constraints will need to be overcome. We believe that only cooperation and the commitment of the Administration can make this happen."

American Soybean Association supports permanent trade relations with Russia

The American Soybean Association is urging the Senate Finance Committee to establish permanent normal trade relations with Russia as the committee holds hearings on the implications of Russia's accession into the World Trade Organization for the U.S.
The U.S. has maintained normal trade relations with Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992. Growth in the Russian animal protein industry has led to a significant increase in demand for soybeans over the past decade. Russia’s main import partners, however, are Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, leaving room for growth within the market for U.S. soybean exports. “The pork and poultry industries, which use soybean meal in animal feed, are poised to see great success in Russia as income levels rise and the demand for meat increases," said American Soybean Association First Vice President Danny Murphy. "What benefits these industries benefits soybean farmers. Those potential positives, however, hinge on further expansion of trade to Russia. The establishment of [permanent normal trade relations] with Russia is critical to our ability to increase soybean exports into Europe’s largest consumer market and the world’s 11th largest economy.
“Russia is an important part of U.S. business’ global strategy to create and sustain jobs at home by enhancing our long-term competitiveness abroad," said Murphy. "Many U.S. companies have developed vibrant, profitable and rapidly-growing business and trade with Russia, with clear strategic benefits to parent companies, exports from, and employment in the United States. Without [permanent normal trade relations], U.S. companies and their employees will be left behind our competitors in this growing and profitable market.” 

American Soybean Association expresses concerns over EU export market

The American Soybean Association submitted formal comments to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk expressing concerns over the state of both soybean export quantity and value to the EU, saying that the EU’s policies on biotech soybeans, as well as "inaccurate characterization of biodiesel by the Renewable Energy Directive," have contributed to a 70 percent drop in total soybean export quantity and a 44 percent decrease in soybean export value to the EU over the last 14 years. "America’s soybean producers have lost a significant portion of what was a viable and thriving export market," said association President Steve Wellman. "Now, with a Renewable Energy Directive that omits biodiesel based on inaccurate information and arbitrary standards, the remainder of that export market is threatened." In its comments, the American Soybean Association points out that multiple EU policies hinder the importation and use of biotech crops from the U.S., including delays in approvals of new biotech traits, despite positive assessments by the European Food Safety Authority; commercially infeasible requirements on biotech content in food products under EU Traceability and Labeling Regulations; state-by-state restrictions on biotech imports; and application of National Seed Catalog and Coexistence requirements to planting of biotech crops by certain EU member states. With regard to biodiesel, the association contends that the Renewable Energy Directive will impose inaccurate greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements for biodiesel produced from American soybean oil and other feedstocks; and will require compliance with arbitrary, unwarranted and commercially infeasible sustainability certification requirements. "Soybeans and soy-based products are the country’s leading agricultural export, topping $26 billion in total value last year," said Wellman. "We are certainly encouraged by efforts to expand trading relationships and grow new trading partners, but not at the expense of our industry’s global competitiveness. Any discussions on a potential trade agreement with the EU must first address and resolve these barriers."

US Senate votes against biodiesel tax credit extension

The United States Senate has voted against a motion to extend the biodiesel tax credit.
The 41-58 vote fell short of the required 67 votes needed for the amendment to pass. The original tax credit expired on Dec. 31, 2009, and the motion would have retroactively extended the credit through the end of 2010. The American Soybean Association has expressed its determination to continue to campaign for an extension until Congress adjourns to campaign for the upcoming elections.

American Soybean Association announces 2012 Farm Bill working group

The American Soybean Association has established a 2012 Farm Bill working group to develop policies key to the future of U.S. soybean growers. Association leaders recently met with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., to discuss his plans to hold preliminary hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill in Washington, D.C., beginning in April.
"Chairman Peterson told us that after the initial hearings in Washington in April, he plans to hold field hearings across the country in May and June 2010," said association President Rob Joslin, a soybean producer from Sidney, Ohio. "In early 2011, the committee may hold additional hearings in Washington before marking up its bill in the summer and passing it in the House in the fall of 2011. Peterson anticipates the Senate will mark up its version of the farm bill before the August recess in 2012 in order to complete conference with the House before the end of September of that year, when the 2008 Farm Bill expires."
The farm bill creates the policy that will administer commodity programs, conservation, trade, nutrition, rural development, agricultural research and bioenergy.
Members of the 2012 American Soybean Association Farm Bill working group are: Johnny Dodson, Halls, Tenn., chairman; Dan Feige, Goodwin, S.D.; Ted Glaub, Jonesboro, Ark.; Mark Jackson, Rose Hill, Iowa; Ron Kindred, Atlanta, Ill.; Lance Peterson, Underwood, Minn.; Andy Welden, Jonesville, Mich.; Steve Wellman, Syracuse, Neb.; and ASA Past Presidents Rick Ostlie, Northwood, N.D., and John Long, Newberry, S.C. Joslin and ASA First Vice President Alan Kemper from Lafayette, Ind., who chairs ASA's public affairs committee, will serve ex officio on the working group.

Soy group argues for competition

The American Soybean Association has submitted initial comments to the U.S. Department of Justice as the government considers competition issues in agriculture. The association said it believes the U.S. Department of Agriculture should be more involved in providing recommendations to the justice department on agribusiness mergers and acquisitions.
In its comments, ASA said four principles should guide competition in the agricultural sector:
*Competition within and among domestic industries must be safeguarded.
*Innovation should be supported, which includes the protection of patent rights.
*Competition from generics should lead to lower prices after patents expire.
*The same requirements and expenses for accessing intellectual property should apply to foreign and U.S. companies.
The American Soybean Association plans to provide more detailed comments at a public hearing on competition issues scheduled for March 12 in Des Moines, Iowa. The hearing will be hosted by the Department of Justice and USDA.