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NCGA
Hosts Visit From Japanese Trade Specialist (1-16-02)
The National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA) hosted representatives from the Japanese
External Trade Organization (JETRO) at the St. Louis offices Monday.
JETRO is a Chicago-based Japanese exporting organization that sent representatives
to meet with NCGA to discuss the latest issues of biotech crops and
registration, as trade issues.
NCGA President-Elect
and Plain City, Ohio, corn grower Fred Yoder, Executive Vice President
and CEO Rick Tolman and NCGA Director of Development Tom Slunecka met
with the group, which included JETRO Agriculture Director Akinari Maejima;
Assistant Agriculture Director Vincent Fike; and Honorary Consul General
of Japan Bruce Buckland.
"The meeting
was very informative," said Slunecka. "They were interested
in our thoughts on biotech and how it should be registered as well as
our thoughts on trade possibilities. It is promising to know that NCGA's
work in this arena is making a large impact."
Maejima said his
organization was concerned about the possible disruption in trade in
the event of another incident such as StarLink were to occur, but he
also said they are proponents of biotechnology.
"To hurry is
dangerous," he said. "The Japanese regulatory system is science-based
and is working on nearly the same timeline as the U.S. system."
Maejima went on
to encourage NCGA to be involved in getting the word out about the environmental
benefits of biotech out to the international consumers.
NCGA has hosted
several international visitors in recent months, including ag representatives
from Ukraine, Venezuela, Mexico, France, Korea, Italy and China.
Last reviewed
January 16, 2002
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