International News
USTR Announces USMCA Technical Consultations with Mexico on Agricultural Biotechnology
- On March 15, 2023
On March 6, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced a request for technical consultations with...
ASTA Submits Comments on Section 301 Tariffs
- On January 25, 2023
On January 17, ASTA submitted comments detailing the impacts of Section 301 tariffs on the U.S. seed industry. USTR’s...
Republic of Korea Removes Additional Declaration Requirement on Carrot Seed
- On December 21, 2022
Recently, the Republic of Korea decided to remove its zebra chip (C. Liberobacter solanacearum) testing requirement for carrot, celery,...
ASTA and AMSAC Host Cross-Border Phytosanitary Workshop
- On December 21, 2022
On November 16-17, ASTA and the Mexican Seed Association (AMSAC) hosted a workshop in Mexico City to discuss collaboration...
USDA Accepting Applications for Trade Mission to Panama
- On December 21, 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for a regional trade...
Chile SAG Announces Plan to Issue Emergency Rule
- On October 26, 2022
Chile’s Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) plans to issue an emergency rule in mid November that will require corn...
U.S. DOL Announces Final Rule to Improve H-2A Visa Program
- On October 12, 2022
On October 6, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to amend H-2A temporary labor certification...
Kenya Lifts Ban on Cultivation and Importation of GM Crops
- On October 12, 2022
On October 3, the Kenyan government lifted the ban on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops and the...
Japanese Delegation Meets with U.S. Seed Industry Representatives
- On August 31, 2022
On August 26, a delegation of biotech regulators from Japan met with representatives of the U.S. seed industry at...
ASTA’s Comments to Chile Reap Rewards for Soybean Seeds
- On August 18, 2022
Following comments from ASTA, Chile’s Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) has agreed to accept an additional declaration to be...
Strengthening Sustainable Seed Systems for the Lower Mekong Countries
- On August 3, 2022
ASTA staff joined the Asia Pacific Seed Association and USDA in hosting a virtual workshop July 26-28 as part...
U.S. Seed Industry Represented at World Seed Congress
- On June 1, 2022
The International Seed Federation (ISF) hosted the first World Seed Congress since pre-pandemic May 13-16 in Barcelona. ASTA staff...
Pest Database for Seeds Available
- On May 4, 2022
ASTA has developed the Pest Database for Seeds (PeDS) which currently contains technical/scientific information on over 400 pests of...
ASTA & CSA Sign New MOU
- On January 13, 2022
On January 10, ASTA and the China Seed Association (CSA) met virtually to sign the 4th Memorandum of Understanding...
ASTA Sends Letter to USTR on Trade Tariffs
- On December 22, 2021
On December 1, ASTA sent a letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the impact...
ASTA, Euroseeds Host Transatlantic Dialogue on Ag Innovation for a Sustainable Food System
- On October 20, 2021
On October 12, ASTA and Euroseeds partnered to host a transatlantic dialogue on the role of agricultural innovation in...
UN Food Systems Summit Launches Conversations on Sustainability and Innovation
- On October 6, 2021
The UN Food Systems Summit, which took place virtually September 23-24, has galvanized discussions globally on the importance of...
ASTA International Executive Committee Meets to Advance Policy Priorities
- On October 6, 2021
ASTA’s International Executive Committee, comprised of leaders on ASTA’s committees and working groups as well as those representing ASTA...
USDA Announces Grant Funding for Specialty Crop Multi-State Program
- On August 18, 2021
On August 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $10 million in competitive grant funding...
Outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit Pre-Meeting
- On August 18, 2021
Following the pre-meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit, USDA released outcomes along with 15 key positions and principles...
ASTA Engagement at the UN Food Systems Summit
- On August 5, 2021
The UN Food Systems Summit is taking place in Fall 2021, for the first time in over 20 years,...
ASTA Supports Training for Governments of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
- On June 16, 2021
On June 8-10, ASTA and the Asia and Pacific Seed Association, together with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department...
National Seed Health System Updating Fee Structure
- On June 2, 2021
The National Seed Health System (NSHS) is proposing an updated fee structure to help meet its annual operating expenses....
ASTA Engagement in the United Nations Food Systems Summit
- On June 2, 2021
The United Nations (UN) will convene a Food Systems Summit in September 2021 to spur action on delivering progress...
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Seeks Comments on Proposed Guidance
- On June 2, 2021
On May 19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency published for consultation proposed guidance intended to clarify whether a plant...
USDA Raises Ag Export Forecast to Record Levels
- On June 2, 2021
On May 26, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) announced its forecast for an even higher record-breaking year for U.S....
European Commission Publishes Study on New Genomic Techniques
- On May 5, 2021
On April 29, the European Commission published the eagerly anticipated study regarding the status of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs),...
ASTA, UC Davis Offer Seed Production Seminar for East African Audience
- On April 21, 2021
ASTA recently partnered with UC Davis on a seed production seminar for government officials and seed production companies in...
ASTA, Euroseeds Announce New ISGP Book on Role of Plant Breeding Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture
- On April 7, 2021
On March 26, ASTA and Euroseeds announced a new book titled Sustainable Agriculture: the role of Plant Breeding Innovation,...
Some Countries Move to Accept Electronic Phytosanitary Certificates
- On April 7, 2021
Effective April 1, Mexico is now accepting electronic phytosanitary certificates, without the need for a paper certificate. While paper...
APHIS Webinar: New Guidance on Buying, Selling Plants & Seeds Online
- On April 7, 2021
Following a months-long investigation into thousands of reports from citizens who received unsolicited seed packages in the mail last...
NC State University’s Plant Breeding Consortium Announces New International Plant Breeding Seminar Series
- On March 11, 2021
North Carolina State University’s Plant Breeding Consortium has announced a new seminar series in International Plant Breeding. The initial...
West Coast Port Challenges Reach Boiling Point; Member Input Needed
- On February 24, 2021
Maritime ports continue to experience record-breaking congestion, delaying both import and export cargo. The agriculture community is concerned with...
U.S. – Canada Seed Industries to Increase Collaboration on Vegetable and Flower Seed Issues
- On January 26, 2021
Beginning in 2021, the ASTA Vegetable Flower Division will welcome members of the Canadian Seed Trade Association’s (CSTA) Vegetable...
West Coast Maritime Ports Experience Challenges for Imports, Exports
- On January 26, 2021
Pandemic conditions created a perfect storm at West Coast ports as terminals experience a surge of import cargo delayed...
- Cargo, Exports, Imports, Maritime Porst, West Coast Maritime Ports
Annual Country Exporter Guides for Key Markets Now Available
- On January 26, 2021
USDA recently released its annual country exporter guides, which provide valuable information about the economic, political, regulatory, and consumer...
- Country Exporter Guides, Exporter Guides, Key Markets, USDA, USDA Exporter Guides, USDA Global Agricultural Information Network
APHIS Import Data Filing Mandatory within Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Platform
- On January 12, 2021
Beginning January 25, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ACE filing will be mandatory for the Animal and...
- APHIS, CBP, Seed, Seed Industry, Seed Movement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Four Seed Organizations Vote to Proceed with Seeds Canada
- On December 11, 2020
On December 2, the Canada Seed Trade Association (CSTA) announced that the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA), the Commercial...
Limited ToBRFV Testing Options Now Available for Tomato Seeds
- On October 28, 2020
At the request of USDA-APHIS and ASTA to assist in helping to alleviate current testing backlogs, the Texas Plant...
New Resource to Support Counter-Seasonal Production During the Pandemic
- On October 28, 2020
Travel restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic have caused concern within the seed industry for counter-seasonal production. ASTA members...
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV): The Seed Health Testing Dilemma
- On October 14, 2020
As more countries add seed health testing requirements for ToBRFV on tomato and pepper seed, companies are discovering it...
Electronic Phytosanitary Certificates Accepted Through 2020
- On September 30, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services will continue to accept electronic phytosanitary...
EU Amends ToBRFV Regulation
- On September 30, 2020
The EU has agreed to amend its regulation (EU 2020/1191) which currently precludes tomato and pepper seeds from being...
Coalition Urges USTR and Congress to continue WTO Membership and Reform
- On September 30, 2020
ASTA has joined with a coalition of over 60 agricultural stakeholders calling for continued World Trade Organization (WTO) membership...
Tariffs Return on Vegetable and Flower Seed Imports from China
- On August 19, 2020
On August 6, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative denied ASTA’s one-year tariff extension request for vegetable and...
ASTA Tariff Exclusion Requests Granted for All 20 Seed Products from China
- On June 10, 2020
In late May, ASTA received news that the 12 remaining vegetable and flower seed product exclusion requests were granted...
Good News! Tariff Exclusion Granted for Certain Seed Products from China
- On April 1, 2020
As you know, U.S. seed companies importing vegetable and flower seed from China have been impacted by tariffs since...
2020 Foreign Agricultural Service Trade Missions
- On January 29, 2020
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) is welcoming 2020 with several trade mission announcements. These missions allow for U.S....
Phytosanitary Issues to be Hot Topic at ASTA’s Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
- On January 16, 2020
ASTA’s 59th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, Feb. 1-4 in Monterey, has several sessions dedicated to phytosanitary issues. A...
Final Rule Issued for PVP of Asexually Propagated Varieties in the U.S.
- On January 16, 2020
Click here for the final rule for Plant Variety Protection (PVP) of asexually propagated varieties issued by the USDA...
U.S. China Reach Phase One Trade Deal
- On January 16, 2020
On Wednesday, January 15, the U.S. and China signed a phase...
January Kicks off International Year of Plant Health
- On January 16, 2020
Did you know that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)? Designated by the United Nations General...
ASTA Representatives Travel to Beijing
- On December 18, 2019
ASTA representatives traveled to Beijing, China December 14-18 as a follow up on several activities earlier this year. In...
U.S. – China Reach Phase-One Deal
- On December 18, 2019
On December 13, the U.S. reached a phase-one trade agreement with the Chinese government. As part of the agreement,...
ASTA’s Abigail Struxness Elected to APSA’s Executive Committee
- On December 5, 2019
At the 26th Asian Seed Congress hosted by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), ASTA’s Senior Director of...
APHIS Issues Federal Order Restricting Tomato and Pepper Seed Imports
- On November 20, 2019
On November 15, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a Federal Order (FO) restricting imports of...
U.S. – China Sign “Phase 1” Deal
- On October 23, 2019
On October 11, President Trump announced that the U.S. and China have reached a “phase 1” trade deal, which...
ASTA Hosts Pacific Northwest Import/Export Workshop, November 13-14
- On October 23, 2019
Join ASTA November 13 and 14 in Tacoma, Washington for an educational import/export workshop and tour. Geared towards seed...
ASTA – ABRASEM Host Third Phytosanitary Workshop in Brasilia
- On October 9, 2019
ASTA and the Brazilian Seed Association (ABRASEM) co-hosted an event October 2-4, providing an opportunity for member companies to...
U.S – Japan Sign New “Mini Trade Agreement”
- On October 9, 2019
On October 7, the U.S. and Japan signed a “mini trade agreement,” which includes similar market access as was...
ASTA’s International Executive Committee Holds Fall Meeting
- On September 26, 2019
Wayne Gale, Bill Belzer, and John Latham attending ASTA’s fall IEC meeting ASTA’s International Executive Committee (IEC) held its...
ASTA Members Host China Delegation
- On July 31, 2019
A delegation from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, including the Deputy Director General for the Seed Management...
ASTA Participates in the USAEDC 39th Annual Attaché Conference July 10-11
- On July 18, 2019
The U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council held its 39th annual Attaché Conference in Arlington, VA July 10-11. ASTA staff...
ASTA Co-Hosts U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Workshop
- On July 18, 2019
A delegation of ASTA members and staff are in Mexico City, Mexico July 17-18 for the 2019 U.S. –...
ASTA Represented at ISF World Seed Congress in Nice, France
- On June 13, 2019
Over 1,700 seed industry professionals, representing 63 countries, gathered in Nice, France June 2-5 to attend the International Seed...
USDA Announces Aid for Farmers Impacted by Recent Trade Disruptions
- On May 30, 2019
On May 23, USDA announced plans to provide additional aid to farmers impacted by the current trade disruptions. In...
Positive News for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
- On May 30, 2019
The U.S., Mexico and Canada agreed last week to remove steel and aluminum tariffs as well as the retaliatory...
Seed Industry Discusses Priorities with APHIS
- On May 16, 2019
On May 2, ASTA staff and industry representatives met with USDA-APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea and staff at APHIS headquarters...
Seed Industry to be Impacted by Increased Tariffs on Products from China
- On May 16, 2019
Effective May 10, tariffs on List 3 products increased from 10% to 25%. Any cargo leaving China after May...
ASTA’s “Phyto Man” Ric Dunkle talks with RFD-TV
- On April 29, 2019
On April 12, ASTA Sr. Director of Seed Trade and Health Ric Dunkle was a guest on RFD-TV. Dunkle...
ASTA Applauds International Move to Streamline Phytosanitary System for Seed
- On April 17, 2019
ASTA welcomes the decision by the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) to develop a Systems Approach for seed as...
Importing Seed from India or Turkey?
- On March 20, 2019
Earlier this month, the Trump Administration announced its intention to terminate special trade benefits that India and Turkey had...
Are you getting the Global Seed News?
- On March 20, 2019
As a membership benefit, ASTA members may sign up to receive the association’s quarterly international newsletter, Global Seed News....
ASTA Receives 2019 Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program Funding
- On February 21, 2019
As a USDA cooperator, ASTA receives funding from the department’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program...
ASTA Receives Agricultural Trade Promotion Grant
- On February 21, 2019
Good news! ASTA is the recipient of a $1,375,000 award from USDA’s new Agricultural Trade Promotion program to help...
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement: What’s next?
- On January 30, 2019
Although the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) was signed by the leaders of the three countries last fall, the countries...
China Update: Trade Talks and Plant Breeding Innovation Dialogue
- On January 16, 2019
Last week, senior officials from the United States and China met in Beijing to work towards a resolution on...
Tariff Truce – No Additional Tariffs Levied between China-U.S. for 90-day Negotiation Window
- On December 18, 2018
Following a handshake agreement between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi at the G20 summit, no additional tariffs...
Agriculture & Science Groups Voice Support for International Statement on Plant Breeding Innovation
- On November 20, 2018
ASTA and seventeen other national organizations representing agriculture and science communities recently joined together in signing a statement in...
ASTA Applauds International Statement in Support of Plant Breeding Innovation
- On November 7, 2018
The U.S. and 12 other countries recently signed onto an International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology. The...
ASTA Applies for Agricultural Trade Promotion Funding from USDA
- On November 7, 2018
In light of the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China, USDA is dedicating $200 million to develop alternate...
Global Seed News
- On October 24, 2018
As a membership benefit, ASTA members may sign up to receive the association’s quarterly international newsletter, Global Seed News....
ASTA Pleased with New U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
- On October 9, 2018
On Monday, October 1, the Administration announced an agreement had been reached on a renegotiated trilateral trade deal between...
Seeds Imported From China Subject to Tariffs
- On September 25, 2018
As of September 24, $200 billion worth of goods coming from China to the U.S. are now subject to...
ASTA Requests Exemptions for Seeds on Proposed Tariffs List
- On September 13, 2018
On September 6, ASTA sent a formal letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that seeds for sowing...
U.S, Mexico Agree to Preliminary “Bilateral NAFTA” Deal
- On August 30, 2018
On Monday, August 27, President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announced that the U.S. and Mexico had...
CIOPORA to Host Plant Innovation IP Workshop Sept. 5-6 in D.C.
- On August 30, 2018
On September 5-6, 2018, the International Association of Plant Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Ornamental and Fruit Varieties (CIOPORA) Academy...
- CIOPORA, IP, IP Advanced Level Certification, Plant Innovation, Washington D.C., Workshop
SAA Seed Applied Technologies Survey
- On August 16, 2018
The Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) will meet in Montevideo next month and they asked the National Seed...
ASTA Participates in APEC Meeting in Brisbane
- On August 16, 2018
On August 2-3, ASTA Senior VP of Domestic & International Policy Bernice Slutsky participated in an Asia Pacific Economic...
Join USDA for South Korea Trade Mission, November 5-8
- On July 31, 2018
USDA is sponsoring a trade mission to South Korea November 5-8, 2018. South Korea is a prime market for...
- ASTA, South Korea, Trade, Trade Mission, USDA
European Court of Justice Issues Blow to Ag Innovation
- On July 31, 2018
In a disappointing setback to innovation, the European Union Court (ECJ) on July 25 ruled that gene-edited crops by...
ASTA Participates in FAS Ag Attaché Consultations
- On July 19, 2018
On July 11, ASTA participated in the annual Foreign Agriculture Service Ag Attaché Consultations in Washington, D.C. Director of...
Join USDA for South Africa Trade Mission, Oct. 29-Nov. 3
- On July 5, 2018
USDA is sponsoring a trade mission to South Africa October 29 – November 3, 2018. Registration will be open...
ASTA Participates in APSA Executive Committee Meeting
- On July 5, 2018
ASTA Director of International Programs and Policy Michelle Klieger represented the U.S. Seed Industry at the Asia and Pacific...
Informa Releases New Report on Economic Costs of Chinese Delays on Ag-Biotech Approvals
- On June 5, 2018
On May 30, Informa’s Agribusiness Consulting Group (Informa) released a study about the impacts of China’s ag-biotech regulatory system...
ASTA Promotes Corn Seed Pilot Project in China
- On May 23, 2018
ASTA’s representative in China along with members of the U.S. embassy recently had the opportunity to meet with U.S....
ASTA Participates in International Plant Protection Convention and ISF Meeting in Rome
- On April 26, 2018
ASTA’s Senior Director, Seed Health and Trade, Ric Dunkle traveled to Rome April 10-19 to participate in the International...
Registration is open for AMSAC Annual Convention, Aug. 8-10
- On April 26, 2018
The Mexican Seed Trade Association is hosting its Ordinary General Assembly XLVII and 2018 Annual Convention August 8-10, 2018...
ASTA Participates in IICA Plant Breeding Innovations and Genome Editing Workshop
- On April 11, 2018
On April 4-5, ASTA Director of International Programs & Policy Michelle Klieger participated in a two day workshop on...
USDA Accepting Applications for Japan Trade Mission, June 11-15, 2018
- On April 11, 2018
The following is a message from USDA regarding an upcoming trade mission to Japan. For questions, contact Kelly Crist...
