| ||||
|
|
USDA not sure about Brazil soy imports
(DTN)--With the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimating the possible economic loss if Asian soy rust reaches the U.S. at $47 million to $4.5 billion, soybean producers attending a soybean rust conference in St. Louis Jan. 8 wanted one question answered: Is the U.S. importing Brazilian soybeans?
The U.S. typically imports Brazilian soybeans beginning in March or April. Due to the short supply of U.S. soybeans this year, many believe the U.S. is already receiving Brazilian shipments. Since there are no new import regulations yet for Asian soy rust prevention, producers are worried that the early shipments could bring the disease into the country.
USDA official Bob Griffin, who gave a brief presentation at the Jan. 9 Soybean Rust Conference, told reporters he did not know whether the U.S. is currently receiving Brazilian soy shipments.
However, during late December DTN spoke with another government official who said Brazilian soybeans were being brought into the country. It's unknown whether those beans were bags of seed or volume (bulk) shipments. Officials are less concerned about bagged seeds spreading the disease in the U.S., but worry that the 2 percent foreign matter (FM) allowance in volume shipments could contain the fungus.
The pathogen in Asian soy rust is not seed borne, Griffin said, meaning soybeans and seeds are not at risk for spreading the disease. The problem is the foreign matter that ends up in with the soybeans when they are shipped. Soybean meal is not a potential risk source either, because it is heated before shipment and the heat kills the pathogen, Griffin said.
"USDA is still working on risk assessment and is discussing the current standards of imported soybeans," Griffin said. At this time, the import regulations for soybeans have not changed. Many agriculture leaders would like the U.S. to adopt a 0 percent FM requirement. As of now, Griffin said there are no prohibitions on imported soybeans, seed or meal.
Griffin said one of the key questions researchers must now answer is the survivability of the spores of Asian soy rust disease. Determining how long the spores can live outside of the field could help officials develop new rules and regulations.
"Believe it or not, after 30 or more years of research we still do not have a good answer about the viability of these spores," Griffin said. "If the spores don't live more than 30 days, then it would just be a simple matter of holding the beans for 30 days before shipment. But we don't know if that's the case."
There are several ways Asian soy rust could enter the U.S.:
--Hopscotch from country to country--Griffin said it is very likely Asian soy rust could hopscotch on wild cultivated hosts like kudzu. There are at least 60 known host plants in the U.S. for this disease.
--Wind dispersal--As the disease moves further north in Brazil, closer to the equator, it's more likely that prevailing winds and jet stream could pick up the spores and carry them to the U.S.
--Accidental introduction--People who visit areas with Asian soy rust could accidentally bring it into the U.S.
--Intentional introduction--Griffin said it's possible that Asian soy rust could be unleashed in the U.S. as an act of bioterrorism.
During his presentation, Griffin said the USDA has estimated the economic loss of Asian soy rust at $47 million to $4.5 billion due to the loss of yields and the environmental impact of increased fungicide use.
Date: 1/22/04
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com
 
| |||||||||||||||||||
