Sunday 27 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
08/02/2012 08:36:36
US-EU soybean trade heavy-handed - ASA
As United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk moves to consider ways to improve the nation’s trade relationship with the European Union (EU) as part of the recently-formed U.S.-EU High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, the American Soybean Association (ASA) submitted formal comments reminding the ambassador that the EU’s heavy-handed policies on biotech soybeans, as well as inaccurate characterization of biodiesel by the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), 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.
"As a direct result of more than a decade of discriminatory biotech traceability and labeling practices, America’s soybean producers have lost a significant portion of what was a viable and thriving export market," said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. "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, ASA points out that multiple EU policies hinder the importation and use of biotech crops from the United States, 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, ASA contends that the RED 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," added 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."
ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through the voluntary membership in ASA by over 21,000 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.
 |
"As a direct result of more than a decade of discriminatory biotech traceability and labeling practices, America’s soybean producers have lost a significant portion of what was a viable and thriving export market," said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. "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, ASA points out that multiple EU policies hinder the importation and use of biotech crops from the United States, 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, ASA contends that the RED 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," added 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."
ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through the voluntary membership in ASA by over 21,000 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
John Deere 8345R - Thame
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
John Deere 6830 - Newry(GBP 48000)
Steyr 9125,4wd - Wolverhampton
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
John Deere 7530 PREMIUM - Maidstone(GBP 58500)
John Deere 4250 - Narberth(GBP 11400)
Related News
India soybean nearly flat; trade awaits US report - 12 Aug 2008Indian soybean and rapeseed futures gave up most of its afternoon gains to end slightly up ahead of the key supply and demand estimates by U.S. Depart...
ASA’s Wellman testifies on Soybean Farm Bill priorities - 15 Mar 2012The importance of passing a farm bill this year, a comprehensive and revenue-based safety net, the integrity of crop insurance, and the critical need ...
Heavy handed inspections must be avoided - 09 Dec 2005The NFU has written to UK Farming Minister Lord Bach seeking reassurance following disturbing reports about the application of cross-compliance regula...
Customs admit heavy handed approach to agricultural shows on red diesel - 31 Oct 2008Scottish National Party MSP for Banff & Buchan Stewart Stevenson has won an assurance from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that they will review their pol...
FUW slams 'HEAVY-HANDED' HMRC - 26 Mar 2010The Farmers’ Union of Wales today accused the UK Government’s Revenue and Customs department (HMRC) of adopting a "heavy-handed"...
ASA cheers upcoming Korea trade agreement - 22 Feb 2012The American Soybean Association (ASA) congratulates President Barack Obama and the administration for completing its review of the free trade agreeme...
EU Approves Imports of GM Soybean - 16 Dec 2008The EU has given a green light to imports of a genetically modified soybean made by US-based agriculture giant Monsanto, the European Commission annou...
Brazil to hand EU shorter list of beef export farms - 07 Feb 2008Brazil's government is pruning the list of ranches it designated to export beef to the European Union, which rejected Brazil's first list and ...
Productive agriculture and the environment must go hand in hand - 19 Jun 2008Meeting the world's growing demand for food and protecting the UK's environment must go hand in hand. This is one of the challenges laid down ...
Farming and the environment go hand in hand - 02 Jun 2009The Tenant Farmers Association is teaming up with award winning farmer, Emma Bradley, from Nottinghamshire, to show that far from the bad press they o...
