News Update
February 17, 2015
ASA Calls on European Union to Issue Import Approvals for 13 Biotech Traits Without Further Delay
In a letter sent Feb. 13, 2015, to European Health & Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and fellow farm groups urged that draft import authorizations for 13 new biotechnology products be considered without further delay by the EU’s College of Commissioners. Import authorizations for 13 new biotechnology products, including soybeans, corn, canola and cotton, are pending, some for well over a year. The ASA and the other groups noted that, while the process for approving new biotech traits had slowed in recent years, it now appears to have come to a “complete stop.”
“All of these products have received positive European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientific assessments and have been considered by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and the Appeals Committee,” wrote the groups. “Timely action by the European Commission will avoid the risk of disruption to the essential supply of feedstocks needed by the EU’s livestock, poultry and feed industries, which are more than 70% dependent on imported protein.” The last import authorizations for new biotech crops were issued by the European Commission in November 2013.
Noting the existing queue of 57 import files currently in the EU system, ASA and its fellow groups reminded Commissioner Andriukaitis of a commitment by EU President Jean-Claude Juncker to complete a comprehensive review of the EU’s biotech approval procedure in six months and urged the Commission to ensure that EFSA’s scientific opinions continue to serve as the basis for EU approvals.
In the letter, the groups also pushed the Commission to respect the EU’s obligations under the WTO with regard to timelier biotech deregulation decisions, which were reaffirmed by the WTO in a 2006 dispute settlement decision that found that the EU was not complying with its international obligations to consider import authorizations on a timely basis.
Click here to read the entire letter.
International Livestock Congress Set for March 4-5 in Houston
The 2015 International Livestock Congress (ILC) — USA will bring together an elite group of livestock and meat industry international leaders to discuss a variety of proactive strategies that address the ever-changing beef industry.
The ILC-USA will be March 4-5, 2015, at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas.
The ILC is a unique global event hosted each year by the International Stockmen’s Education Foundation to discuss issues of international importance that affect the future of animal agriculture. This year’s program will feature make-or-break issues regarding “Providing Animal Protein to the World.”
“The ILC is unique in that it provides an environment where critical issues facing the beef industry are openly discussed among the global beef community. The future of the global beef industry is dependent on producers and industry leaders coming together and finding that common ground, which is so important in moving our industry forward,” said Bo Reagan, chairman of the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation.
The first day of the ILC will feature a presentation by Bernard Vallat, director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health. Vallat will discuss a new global alliance for a safer, fairer and more sustainable livestock sector. Following Vallat, Kevin Ochsner, Agcellerate, will moderate a panel discussion on global production and consumption of animal protein. Panel participants will include Francois LeGall, World Bank; Jimmy Smith, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Bruce Feinberg, McDonald’s Corp.; and Hsin Huang, International Meat Secretariat.
Todd Armstrong, senior director of Elanco Beef Operations, will open the discussion on day two. He will discuss using technology to provide animal protein. Next, Gary Smith, Texas A&M University, will address cattle and beef opportunities of the future. John Paterson, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), will moderate the morning panel discussion on livestock production systems. Panel participants will include Jimmy Smith, ILRI; Enrique Lopez, Cattle Fatteners Association-AMEG; and Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Concurrent sessions will be during the afternoon of March 5.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Spring Ranch Management University set for March 30-April 3
The next Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ranch Management University will be March 30-April 3, said Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist in College Station.
The Ranch Management University is an intensive five-day event that targets new or inexperienced ranchers and landowners, Redmon said. It is hosted each spring and fall at the G. Rollie White Visitor’s Center, 7707 Raymond Stotzer Parkway on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.
Registration is $500 and attendance is limited to 40 people, Redmon said. To register online and for more information, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “ranch management” into the search window.
The course is primarily taught by AgriLife Extension specialists at College Station. Topics include planning for profit, marketing livestock, soil basics, financial assistance for landowners, watershed basics, weed and brush management, forage legumes, hay production, prescribed fire, horse production, beef genetics, animal handling, small ruminants, property taxes, farm pond management, feral hog issues, and much more.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Local Food Training Set for April 16 on Texas A&M Campus
A “Production, Marketing and Sales of Local Food” training will take place April 16 in the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ‘56 Equine Complex at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The event is jointly sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Service.
“With the greater interest in local foods, increased science-based education is needed for all those involved,” said Diane Boellstorff, AgriLife Extension water resource specialist in College Station and state co-coordinator for the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.
The free event is aimed at training AgriLife Extension agents, as well as anyone from the general public who might be interested in this industry, said John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist in College Station.
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9:45 a.m. Preregistration should be completed by April 13 at http://sare.tamu.edu. Enrollment is limited to the first 74 participants.
Topics of discussion include cottage food laws, requirements for organic certification, local food production funding opportunities; current laws and regulations for food safety at farmers’ markets or community supported agriculture programs, and more.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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