Soybean shippers ask U.S. government to take action against EU

Soybean shippers ask U.S. government to take action against EU

   Soybean shippers, frustrated by new European Union regulations for traceability and labeling of scientifically modified food and feed, want the U.S. government to request a World Trade Organization dispute settlement proceeding.

   “These requirements are non-tariff trade barriers that violate WTO obligations and will result in significant losses to the U.S. food and agriculture industry,” said Ron Heck, president of the American Soybean Association, in a statement.

   ASA, which represents 25,000 U.S. soybean farmers, also wants the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a review by the International Trade Commission on the impact of the EU requirements on U.S. agricultural commodity and food exports to quantify economic losses to U.S. farmers, exporters and food companies.

   The EU published its regulations Oct. 18. Soybean shippers claim these rules fly in the face of the EU’s WTO obligations.

   ASA is also concerned that if the EU regulations unchallenged, they could influence international organizations, such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to adopt similar requirements as global standards.