The American Soybean Association (ASA) Board of Directors met in Washington, D.C. this week, where members heard from a number of agriculture influencers. Ambassador Darci Vetter, chief agricultural negotiator from the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, spoke about the importance of a timely passage of both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the impact both trade agreements have on U.S. agriculture. Following Vetter, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway joined the meeting to brief the board on GMO labeling, which this week passed in the House with a 306-117 vote.

Also during this summer’s board meeting, ASA presented the Soy Champion Award to Rep. Mike Pompeo for his work in authoring legislation establishing a national framework for the labeling of foods containing biotechnology as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

House Agriculture Committee, Nutrition Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McGovern joined the board meeting to speak about nutrition and the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the upcoming farm bill.

Panels at the board meeting included a farm bill discussion featuring representatives from the National Cotton Council, National Milk Producers Federation and United Fresh Produce Association. Agri-Pulse’s Philip Brasher and Spencer Chase also joined in a panel focusing on the upcoming election, the role agriculture is poised to play in it and what the rural route to 1600 Pennsylvania looks like.

Directors and members from all 30 soy states then met with their congressional delegations on Wednesday and the board meetings concluded with a reception held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building.