October 23, 2001… St. Louis, Missouri… The American Soybean
Association (ASA) believes that the path has been cleared for a resumption of
U.S. soybean shipments into China. In briefings with U.S. government officials,
ASA has learned that China is prepared to accept a statement of regulatory review
issued by the U.S. government as an interim measure until such time as China
has completed its own regulatory review of soybeans grown from biotechnology-enhanced
seedstock. For resolving this important trade issue, ASA credits efforts by
U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and his staff, U.S. Department
of Agriculture representatives, and President George W. Bush, who raised the
issue on two occasions with Chinese President Jiang Zemin during the President’s
recent visit to Shanghai.
“The United States has in place an extensive regulatory review process
that has already determined that biotech soybeans are safe for human and animal
consumption, and safe for plants and the environment,” said ASA President
Bart Ruth, a farmer from Rising City, Neb. “The Chinese have agreed to
utilize these safety assessments until they have completed their own regulatory
system and reviews.”
In recent years China has purchased more than $1 billion worth of soybeans
from U.S. farmers, becoming the largest single-country export customer for U.S.
soybeans. On June 6 of this year, China made regulatory announcements that have
kept exporters from booking new shipments to China for fear that ships would
not be allowed to unload their cargos upon arrival.
ASA Asia Division Director Gil Griffis said, “We also understand the Chinese
have agreed to address the problem of quarantine delays, which have been a problem
in recent months.”
For more information contact:
Bart Ruth, ASA President, 402-542-2181, bdruth@alltel.net
Gil Griffis, ASA Asia Division Director, ggriffis@soy.org
Bob Callanan, ASA Communications Director, bcallanan@soy.org
American Soybean Association, 314-754-1291
12125 Woodcrest Executive Drive, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-576-1770, Fax: 314-576-2786