In Washington this week, the American Soybean Association (ASA) Board of Directors met to discuss the issues impacting the soybean industry during the association's annual spring meeting. Atop the list of discussion items for the spring meeting and the accompanying congressional visits be each of the 26 ASA state and regional affiliates was legislation from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, who spoke to the meeting on Monday, which would establish a national framework for the labeling of foods containing biotechnology.

The bill, the Biotech Labeling Solutions Act (S. 2609) came to the Senate floor for a vote on Wednesday, but lacked the support needed to invoke cloture and move to a final vote.

Also on the agenda were the Trans-Pacific Partnership, relations with Cuba, biodiesel, transportation and infrastructure, appropriations and aquaculture, among many others.

The meeting also represented the first under ASA's new Advocacy Team-based structure. The new format, created and implemented as a part of the association's new strategic plan, enables ASA to be more tactical and focused in its approach to issues by replacing the old system of large, general committees focused on trade issues, public affairs and membership, with smaller and more tailored advocacy teams dedicated to farm programs, biodiesel, transportation and the other issues on which ASA works.

The March meeting is one of three annual meetings of the ASA Board. The board will next meet in mid-July in Washington.