 |
 |
|
May 20, 2009
The North American Plant Protection Organization Seed Panel Up and Running!
Online Registration Opens for ASTA'S 126th Annual Convention The new online registration system for ASTA conventions debuted on May 12 for ASTA's 126th Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., to be held June 20-24, 2009. Early registration rates to attend the convention are in effect until Sunday, May 31, with ASTA group rate hotel reservations ($169 per night) available at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch until Friday, May 29. Among the tremendous educational content, new additions to the program include a presentation on climate change by Julio L. Betancourt of the U.S. Geological Survey, being held within ASTA's Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee. Two new panelists have been added to the Sustainability Panel Discussion on June 24, Global Director Plant Science and External Research for Mars Inc./Seeds of Change Howard-Yana Shapiro, a founder of the Keystone Project; and Joyce Cacho, chief sustainability officer for Novus International. Providing the only national forum to bring together the seed industry across commodities, the convention offers essential networking opportunities. Don't miss this unique opportunity to market your business among this targeted audience! Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also still available, including ASTA's new Exhibitor Success Center tool to increase your return on investment (ROI). Media Welcome at ASTA's 126th Annual Convention Media are encouraged to take advantage of a free registration and attend the upcoming 126th Annual Convention, June 20-24, 2009, in Scottsdale, Ariz. The ASTA Annual Convention offers a unique opportunity to come together and learn the issues affecting the industry as a whole. It is the only ASTA convention which brings together representatives of every ASTA division, including corn, sorghum, soybean, vegetable, flower, lawn and farm seed, in addition to representatives from supplier companies and international partners. Topics range from agricultural credit markets to global economics to the state of agribusiness and sustainability, all surrounding a new "Networking Hot Spot" to help get months' worth of business done over the course of just a few days. The schedule has also been punctuated with a series of educational breakout sessions on intellectual property rights, phytosanitary issues and the return of the popular State and Regional Associations Workshop. In order to register as media and received a free conference registration, please contact Gretchen Flanley by email at gflanley@amseed.org or at 703-837-8140. Unsolicited Seed Samples from Overseas may Put Companies at Risk Shipments of unsolicited seed samples from foreign sources may put seed companies at risk for violations of U.S. Customs and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) import requirements. All seed shipments must meet entry requirements. If a company receives unsolicited seed samples from foreign sources, they may be at risk for severe fines and placement on a U.S. Customs list of violators. Individuals on this list are subject to intense scrutiny when they re-enter the U.S. Many companies have information booths at trade shows, conventions and conferences. Foreign-based seed companies visit these booths and use information gathered there to send seed samples for the U.S. companies to test. These relatively small samples are almost always sent directly to the U.S.-based company through the mail. If intercepted, the authorities will automatically assume that these shipments are sanctioned by the receiving company because the address is on the label. This will trigger an investigation by USDA Investigation and Enforcement Services (IES). Fines can exceed $20,000 if found guilty. What can a company do to protect itself from unsolicited seed samples that are shipped in violation of U.S. entry requirements? A first step would be to put a statement on the company's Web site indicating that it is a violation of U.S. entry requirements to ship seed directly and for the foreign company to check with their National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) to determine what the entry requirements for small seed shipments are. A link to the appropriate USDA/APHIS Web site would be very useful. If IES conducted an investigation of a company, this disclaimer will support a company's claim that the seed shipments were unsolicited. Another step would be to e-mail all companies that have sent unsolicited seed in the past informing them of the U.S. entry requirements. The e-mail should also suggest to those that wish to send samples, to first inform of their intended shipment so that a USDA/APHIS permit can be obtained. As a further step of protection, do not open unsolicited shipments if at all possible, notify USDA/APHIS and follow their instructions. For more information, please contact Ric Dunkle. ASTA Participates in Iowa Seed Count Workshop On May 12, Ric Dunkle, ASTA's senior director of seed health and trade, represented ASTA in a workshop organized by the Iowa State Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to provide the agricultural commissioner input on the best approach for regulating soybean seed labels on the basis of seed count and seed weight. Many seed companies are beginning to sell soybean seeds on the basis of seed count versus weight. At issue is whether Iowa enforces seed labels on the basis of National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and procedures or Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) rules. For seeds, including soybeans, NIST has a mean actionable variance of 1.5 percent whereas the AOSA rules use a tolerance or variation of 4 percent. This is an issue in Iowa because Iowa's seed regulations refer to both NIST and AOSA in regard to seed labeling for count and weight. Based on the information provided and ensuing discussions, it appears that Iowa will enforce soybean seed count on the basis of the AOSA rules and will soon provide guidance to the seed companies in this regard. A larger issue is the need to harmonize NIST standards and procedures with the AOSA rules. One approach would be to petition NIST to adopt the AOSA rules for seed count and weight. ASTA will work with its members through its Seed Industry Relations Committee to explore this possibility. Also participating in this workshop were representatives from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, Syngenta Seeds, Inc., Monsanto Company, Remington Hybrid Seed Co., Lathum Hi-Tech Seeds, the Iowa Seed Association, Independent Professional Seed Association, Iowa State University, AOSA, the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCO), and the Iowa and Nebraska State Departments of Weights and Measures.
Support the Next Generation of Seed Industry Leaders Through a FuSE Sponsorship The Future Seed Executives (FuSE) initiative is excited to begin its fourth year of cutting edge programming geared towards the next generation of seed industry professionals. Since its inception, more than 350 individuals have participated in a FuSE educational program. FuSE has held 14 successful Educational Units at ASTA member companies, numerous Round Table Discussion Groups by teleconference on pressing industry issues, and its Campus Connections program is currently in its third year, providing grants to undergraduate students to attend the ASTA Annual Convention. Through this year's program, eight highly qualified students will be introduced to the seed industry through the funding provided by FuSE sponsors. Formed from the Management Skills Committee, the FuSE Sub-Committee is excited about what is in store for the future as it continues to enhance its programming and outreach efforts. More than 85 percent of FuSE's operating expenses are covered by sponsorships from ASTA member companies. The committee hopes that you will consider becoming a sponsor to continue this valuable programming. FuSE sponsors receive a great deal of recognition throughout the year, with a number of different sponsorship levels to suit any company. "FuSE could not function without the generous support of our wonderful sponsors," said FuSE Chairman Peter Wolf of Wolf & Wolf Seeds. "This funding has allowed us to offer outstanding learning opportunities at a minimal cost to the future leaders of our industry." To view the 2009-10 sponsorship menu, please click here. If your company would like to become a sponsor, please contact Jason Laney. Meet Your ASTA Staff
Gretchen Flanley Gretchen Flanley joined ASTA in January 2008 as the vice president of communications. In this position, she is responsible for the outreach to many of ASTA's audiences, including members, agricultural stakeholders, regulators, policy makers, consumers and media. She also assists in developing communication strategies and tools in support of ASTA's divisions and committees in addressing various issues of importance to the seed industry. Gretchen serves as the staff liaison for the Communications Steering Committee. She came to ASTA from the U.S. Grains Council where she served as the Director of Biotechnology Programs and was responsible for implementing the Council's efforts related to the acceptance of biotechnology and reducing barriers to trade for grains derived from this technology. Prior to the Council, Gretchen served as an International Affairs Specialist for the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). She focused principally on designing and facilitating cooperative research programs between USDA-ARS and key Latin American countries. In addition, Gretchen brings to ASTA previous experience with USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service and Bunge Corporation. She is a graduate of West Virginia University with a B.A. in International Studies. A native of Pennsylvania, Gretchen's career in agriculture started in at a local greenhouse operation, Dan Schantz Greenhouses. "In those days, I was only focused on the degree, but when I moved to Washington, I was exposed to a much broader aspect of production agriculture and its importance to the everyday life of people around the world," remarked Gretchen. "Representing the seed industry through ASTA is another wonderful opportunity to tell people about the great story of agriculture." A resident of Maryland, Gretchen enjoys spending time with family and friends, jogging, trying new recipes and crocheting. For more information on ASTA outreach and communications, or to get more involved in these activities, please contact Gretchen Flanley by gflanley@amseed.org or through the ASTA main number. Obama Administration Releases Budget Details The Obama Administration released long-awaited budget details reflecting little change to agriculture proposals despite significant criticism from industry and members of Congress. The administration's proposals called for: imposing a hard payment limit cap of $250,000, phasing out direct payments to farmers with annual sales revenue above $500,000, reducing Market Access Program (MAP) funding by 20 percent, reducing crop insurance premium subsidies by five percentage points on all coverage levels, increasing the government's share of crop insurance underwriting gains to 20 percent from five percent, eliminating any new funding for USDA Agricultural Research Service buildings in 2010 and canceling balances for previously approved facility construction and terminating both the Resource Conservation and Development Program and the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program. These proposals largely mirrored proposals released in late February, which garnered extremely negative reactions from key members of Congress and agricultural associations. Leaders in Congress, the body that ultimately appropriates funds, have also proved unreceptive to the administration's proposals. Agriculture and budget committees in both chambers rejected the proposals while writing the budget resolution that will guide fiscal year 2010 appropriations, which was finalized last week. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) called the ideas "more than dead on arrival." ASTA will continue to follow the budgeting and appropriations process and assert the priorities of the seed industry, including the preservation of the Resource Conservation and Development Program, full funding for MAP and the importance of research and the work of the Agricultural Research Service. Nebraska Seed Preemption Bill Making Progress On Tuesday, May 12, the Nebraska legislature passed L.B. 263, a seed and fertilizer preemption bill, on second round of debate. It is now up for final reading and is expected to pass without any difficulty. The bill would assure that state law is preeminent and overrides city and county regulations of seed or fertilizer. As a result, if passed, it would allow senators and experts at the state department of agriculture to control seed and fertilizer regulations, rather than county commissioners. Currently, Nebraska has no county or state regulations governing seed or fertilizer, and the measure is intended to head off problems that could occur if counties would try to regulate. The Nebraska Agribusinesses Association asked the sponsor, Sen. Kent Rogert, to introduce the bill. Eighteen states have passed preemptive seed laws, and 13 states have preemptive fertilizer laws.
Illinois Cool Season Grass Seed Bill is Close to Passage The Illinois Senate is set to hear the third, and final reading, of H.B. 2442 in the near future. The bill has already passed the House, which would change cool season grass seed labeling requirements from "Test Date" to "Sell By" notations, which is similar to food expiration date labeling. It also allows a change of the re-testing requirement from nine months to 15 months for cool season grass seed. Seed Trade Association of Arizona Holds 17th Annual Convention ASTA Chairman Kelly Keithly, Western Regional Vice President John Schoenecker and Director of State Affairs Pat Miller attended the Seed Trade Association of Arizona's (STAA) 17th Annual Convention in Tucson, Ariz., on May 7-8. The program featured sessions on legislative, research and production issues, including an ASTA Update. Tye Curtis, president of the Southern Seed Association (SSA), presented an update on SSA activities. Jaime Buenelos, a graduate student at Arizona Western College, was presented a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by STAA through the ASTA grant-matching program (Pictured here with Keithly). Jon Pasquinelli, Seminis Vegetable Seeds in Yuma, Ariz., was elected president for the coming term. ASTA Committees: Involvement = Greater Value Stewardship Committee Description: The Stewardship Committee was established to develop and implement an ongoing workplan focusing on seed product quality to proactively address related emerging issues. Committee activities include developing a set of industry guidelines, membership education and outreach to domestic and foreign governments, growers and other stakeholders along the agricultural value chain. Members of this committee include individuals who have expertise in stewardship and quality assurance and management. This committee often utilizes working groups to develop and draft guidance related to seed quality management. Current Activities: Development of a new Seed Health Section of the ASTA Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices Next Scheduled Meeting: Seed Health Module Working Group Meeting, ASTA 126th Annual Convention - June 2009 Full Committee, ASTA Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference - Dec. 2009 Key Contacts:
May 5. Bernice Slutsky, ASTA vice president of science and international affairs, participated in a meeting of the AgBiotech Planning Committee (ABPC) with Mr. Max Holtzman, senior advisor to USDA Secretary Vilsack. The ABPC discussed their priority issues with Mr. Holtzman. May 5-7. ASTA Vice President of Government Affairs Leslie Cahill participated in the National Invasive Species Advisory Council (ISAC) meeting in Tucson, Ariz., May 5-7. As a member of the ISAC, Cahill represents the seed industry on issues affecting invasive species management, introduction, interdiction and eradication. In addition to a number of working sessions, the group visited the National Plant Materials Center in Tucson, Agua Caliente Park and the Sabino Canyon. The group meets again in November 2009. May 6. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Vice President Gretchen Flanley met with representatives of Meister Media Worldwide. William Miller, president, and Michael DeLuca, vice president of sales and integrated marketing, briefed the ASTA staff about the variety of publications they offer, ranging from agricultural inputs to vegetable and cotton production to the ornamental industry. May 6. ASTA President and CEO Andy Lavigne and Bernice Slutsky, ASTA vice president of science and international affairs, met with Sen. John Kerry's staff regarding Senate ratification of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources. Sen. Kerry is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. May 8. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne met with Ken Hobbie, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council, to discuss export issues and policy impacting the movement of grain at the international level. May 11. Bernice Slutsky, ASTA vice president of science and international affairs, participated in a meeting with the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) to discuss possible collaboration on projects related to low-level presence in seed. May 13. ASTA's Seed Treatment and Environmental Committee is collaborating with CropLife America's (CLA) Seed Tag Working Group to provide information to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed to bring a better understanding of the use of seed treatment in the U.S. industry. This information will help EPA as they review current practices and Insecticide Seed Treatment Labeling. ASTA staff and members Kyle Rushing, Incotec, Larry Butler, Becker Underwood, and Amanda Patin, SGS, participated in the meeting. For more information contact Lisa Nichols. May 14. ASTA staff held a conference call with Gary Munkvold, Chris Block and Lisa Shepherd from Iowa State University to discuss utilizing USDA cooperator funds from the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program to analyze and develop a new test for Stewart's bacterial wilt of maize. Stewart's wilt is a corn disease that is endemic to the corn-growing regions of the Eastern and central United States. The current test method, the ELISA kit, is thought to be generating false positives, thus the need for research to produce a more accurate test in order to mitigate unnecessary disruption of corn seed exports from the U.S. For more information, contact Lisa Nichols. May 15. ASTA and CropLife International (CLI) held a call to discus the upcoming joint participation in an International Ag Trade Fair in China. It was decided that ASTA and CLI will participate in the upcoming fair in Jilin Province Sept. 7-12, 2009. ASTA will utilize the China Working Group for input on this event. If you would like to participate in the China Working group or would like more information about the China Ag Trade Fair, please contact Lisa Nichols.
Ceres, Inc. Vice President Passes Peter Nicholas Mascia died at his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Wednesday, May 6, from cancer. He was 58. Peter, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Mascia, was born and raised in Port Chester, N.Y. He graduated from St. Anselm College in 1972 with a degree in biology. In 1978, he finished a doctorate in genetics at Iowa State University (ISU), and thereafter, completed post doctoral studies in plant molecular biology at the University of Minnesota. Peter began his career in plant genetics with Monsanto Company in St. Louis, Mo., moving on to Cargill, Inc. as worldwide biotechnology manager in Aurora, Ill. The last phase of his career began when he joined Ceres, Inc. of Thousand Oaks in 1999 as director of product development. He later became vice president of quality and regulatory affairs. He was a member of the American Seed Trade Association. Peter met his wife, Mary, at ISU, and they married in 1976. They had two children, Mark and Carolyn. Peter is survived by his wife and children as well as his parents, his five brothers, Anthony, Michael, John, Paul and Joseph, and extended family. ASTA and its members extend our condolences to friends and family of Dr. Peter Mascia.
USDA
USDA/AMS
USDA/ARS
USDA/APHIS USDA/ERS
USDA/NASS
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
2nd Seed Congress of the Americas • 127th Annual Convention |