ASA President Danny Murphy and ASA Washington Representative John Gordley met on Capitol Hill Monday with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, as well as with several other farm organizations to discuss agriculture and environmental issues, the status of the domestic biotech approvals landscape, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and other issues.

During the meeting, Secretary Vilsack and Administrator McCarthy made clear their interest in improving the Administration’s reputation with farm groups on environmental issues, and that they wish to work closely with ASA and other farm groups to do so. For his part, Murphy raised ASA’s concerns about delays in deregulating biotech traits and the effects such delays have on controlling weed resistance by having multiple modes of action. Murphy also emphasized that the delays adversely impact our competitiveness with South American producers who get trait approvals quicker than U.S. growers, as well as hamper our industry’s negotiating power in pressing importing countries on synchronizing biotech approvals.

With specific regard to weed resistance, Murphy pointed out that while he has not yet encountered weed resistance on his farm, it could happen as early as next year. In response, both Administrator McCarthy and Secretary Vilsack indicated that they appreciated the real world consequences of delays in moving these products to the market.