ASA Director/USSEC Chairman Jim Miller (left) talks with a farmer during a field visit in Argentina. Photo courtesy of USSEC

Information courtesy of USSEC 

U.S. soy growers traveled to Argentina earlier this month to discuss market access issues and priorities for the coming year.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) participated in an International Soybean Growers Alliance (ISGA) mission, which provides an excellent forum to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to address the challenges farmers face from many different sources. American Soybean Association Director and USSEC Chairman Jim Miller, joined United Soybean Board (USB) Director Jimmy Sneed, USSEC CEO Jim Sutter and USSEC Marketing Director – Market Access / Freedom to Operate Roz Leeck in the USSEC delegation.

This meeting in Argentina was a significant step forward on setting the agenda and priorities for the upcoming year. It also marked the first official meetings since Argentina’s ISGA members assumed the role of Secretariat. The group continues to target market access issues of mutual interest.

Key topics included:  biotechnology approvals and acceptance (especially in China, India and European Union), pesticide tolerance levels and the market acceptance of soy products derived by using Plant Breeding Innovation. The group also shared issues that farmers face in each of the member countries.  Many of these issues are regarding regulatory and social pressures.

Prior to participating in the ISGA meetings, the group visited Rosario, Santa Fe, stopping at a farm for an afternoon of discussion and a field tour. They also visited T6, a joint venture between Bunge and AGD, which is one of the largest crush plants in the world in addition to serving as an export facility for soy, soy products, corn and wheat.

The ISGA delegation had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of Agriculture. In those meetings, a number of different issues were discussed, including the changes Argentina has made in Differential Export Tax as well as the ongoing debate on seed law and intellectual property protection.

Both the Minister and Secretary recognized the significance of the six soy producing nations coming together to work on market access issues of mutual concern and encouraged the farmers to continue their efforts. This view was also expressed when the U.S. team met with David Mergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Counselor located in Buenos Aires.