The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomes a scientific review published February 23 by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The document titled, "Status of Scientific Evidence on Risks Associated with the Introduction into the Continental United States of Phakopsora pachyrhizi With Imported Soybean Grain, Seed and Meal," provides a concise summary of current data while identifying significant knowledge gaps about the risk of accidental introduction of Asian soybean rust disease into the United States as a result of soy imports from rust infected countries.

"APHIS’ scientific review is useful in examining the state of existing knowledge about soybean rust, and it clearly demonstrates the need for additional information in several key areas to determine whether commodity soybeans can be imported safely from rust-infected countries," said ASA Chairman Dwain Ford, a soybean producer from Kinmundy, Illinois. "ASA believes these questions need to be answered, based on the best-available science, before a Pest Risk Analysis for soybeans and procedures governing imports of commodity soybeans from rust-infected countries are issued by USDA."

Since rust spores can survive for extended but yet unknown periods of time in vegetative material or on the surface of soybeans, the period of time rust spores remain viable in light, humidity, and other conditions in which soybeans typically are stored in rust-infected countries is one of the key questions that must be answered. Previous studies have indicated that rust spores can remain viable for 45 days or more. ASA understands that scientists of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will soon be conducting experiments to answer this important question, and ASA has previously submitted to APHIS a series of questions probing this particular issue. ASA also has questions about the potential for re-contamination during the various transfer and loading stages.

While questions remain unanswered about whether soybeans can be imported safely from rust-infected countries, APHIS’ scientific review documents that rust spores are destroyed by the heat and other processes used to convert whole soybeans into soybean meal and soybean oil. ASA believes that any final Pest Risk Analysis or import protocols governing soybean meal imports from rust-infected countries must require that any foreign material intended to be added back into soymeal undergo heat treatment to destroy any rust spores that might be present. ASA also believes that finished soybean meal must be handled in such a manner as to prevent contamination with viable rust spores.

With regard to planting seed, APHIS’ scientific review documents that soybean rust is not a disease that infects the seed or seed coat, but rather is present in vegetative material or potentially on the outer surface of seeds. For this reason, ASA believes that import protocols governing soybean planting seed imports should require that the seed be clean and free of vegetative material. APHIS’ scientific review states that soybean seed is treated with a fungicide as a normal commercial practice. ASA therefore believes that APHIS should require the fungicide treatment of seed from rust-infected countries.

Soybean rust (P. pachyrhizi) is listed as a select biological agent that is under official control to prevent its introduction into the continental U.S., and is therefore considered a quarantine pest subject to phytosanitary measures. APHIS acknowledges that an updated, national, comprehensive economic analysis of a major U.S. infestation of soybean rust will require a much more involved analysis than was presented in the February 23 report.

"ASA continues to examine the scientific review in detail," Ford said. "ASA’s goal is to protect the U.S. soybean industry from the accidental introduction of soybean rust via imports, while ensuring that decisions are based on science. Decisions or import restrictions that aren’t science-based could come back to hurt us as a global soy exporter, or could serve to choke-off domestic livestock demand. Neither is in the interests of U.S. soybean growers."

"Based on APHIS’ scientific review, soybean meal and planting seed can be imported safely if handled under the proper protocols," Ford continued. ASA urges APHIS to make ASA’s recommendations part of any import protocols governing soybean meal and soybean planting seed imports, so that the U.S. soy industry is safeguarded from the accidental introduction of soybean rust. ASA’s position on soybean imports, however, is that key scientific questions must be answered before any soybean import protocol is issued by APHIS, and before any potential commodity soybean imports from rust-affected countries are contemplated."