The American Soybean Association (ASA) believes that the path has been cleared for a resumption of U.S. soybean shipments into China. In briefings with U.S. government officials, ASA has learned that China is prepared to accept a statement of regulatory review issued by the U.S. government as an interim measure until such time as China has completed its own regulatory review of soybeans grown from biotechnology-enhanced seedstock. For resolving this important trade issue, ASA credits efforts by U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and his staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives, and President George W. Bush, who raised the issue on two occasions with Chinese President Jiang Zemin during the President’s recent visit to Shanghai.

“The United States has in place an extensive regulatory review process that has already determined that biotech soybeans are safe for human and animal consumption, and safe for plants and the environment,” said ASA President Bart Ruth, a farmer from Rising City, Neb. “The Chinese have agreed to utilize these safety assessments until they have completed their own regulatory system and reviews.”

In recent years China has purchased more than $1 billion worth of soybeans from U.S. farmers, becoming the largest single-country export customer for U.S. soybeans. On June 6 of this year, China made regulatory announcements that have kept exporters from booking new shipments to China for fear that ships would not be allowed to unload their cargos upon arrival.
ASA Asia Division Director Gil Griffis said, “We also understand the Chinese have agreed to address the problem of quarantine delays, which have been a problem in recent months.”