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USDA proposes new soybean import rule
ST. LOUIS (DTN)--If shipments of foreign soybeans are in transit to the U.S., USDA would be notified under a proposed rule change government officials told DTN about Jan. 8.
Currently, it's a requirement of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the maritime industry to notify DHS on what the tentative arrival date is and what cargo is on a shipment.
Because of the fear of spreading the Asian Soybean Rust fungus into the U.S., USDA is asking DHS to notify them about any whole soybean shipments on the water coming to the U.S., especially from countries known to have Asian soybean rust.
Asian soybean rust has cut yields in infected areas of Brazil by 20 to 80%. Brazilian farmers last year reported losses of $1.3 billion due to the yield reductions and the costs of fungicide spray.
Bob Spaide, USDA's acting assistant deputy administrator of pest detection and management programs, attended a conference here to discuss recognition and control of the fungal disease with U.S. soybean growers. He told DTN USDA is working with DHS to get more information on potential grain arrivals.
"We understand there have been some rumors about the importation of whole soybeans from different areas of the world especially South America," said Spaide. "We're working with DHS to find out if any beans have been imported, and for the future we are asking DHS to provide us notification should beans be on the water so we would have advanced notice."
Sparks Companies reported Friday that an APHIS spokesman confirmed the following containers of Brazilian food-grade soybeans have recently been delivered to the U.S.:
--8 containers on Dec. 10, 2003, via Newark, N.J.
--10 containers on Dec. 18, 2003, via Houston
--10 containers on Jan. 6, 2004, via Houston.
The APHIS spokesman told Sparks food grade soybeans arrive with essentially no foreign matter. It is on the foreign matter that Asian rust spores can travel.
Historically, the U.S. has not had many regulations on the importation of grain, other than upon arrival the grain is inspected by the Federal Grain Inspection Service.
Also, USDA is in the middle of completing a pest risk assessment, trying to identify the risk of importing soybeans, seed, soymeal, etc.
"Based upon that assessment, USDA can put some management of mitigation measures in place to assure soybean rust is not moving in with commercial commodities from overseas," said Spaide.
As U.S. soybean stocks get tighter--USDA estimates 125 million bushels or less before the next crop arrives--soybean imports will likely be needed. That 125 million bushels represents about a two week supply and is a 27-year low.
U.S. soybean industry leaders say the only two viable options for imports would be Agrentina and/or Brazil--both have Asian soybean rust.
USDA's risk assessment isn't expected to lower an industry standard of 2% allowable foreign matter to 1%.
"Right now, we have no scientific evidence that would lead us to make the foreign matter level stricter," said Spaide.
Meanwhile, plant pathologists soybean imports is one of many ways Asian soy rust disease could enter the U.S.
The disease can be brought in by tourists who have visited fields with Asian soy rust and can travel on air currents from countries that already have the disease.
Date: 1/15/04
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