ASA works to strengthen

value chain communication

At the Agricultural Trade and Biotech Forum on Dec. 7, growers, tech providers, and grain exporters discussed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strengthening Communications throughout the Value Chain on Biotechnology and Market Issues.

The Forum was hosted by the American Soybean Association (ASA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)

Representatives from ASA, NCGA, the North American Export Grain Association, National Grain and Feed Association and American Seed Trade Association provided their perspectives on the MOU, followed by perspectives and questions from other participants.

Overall feedback on the draft MOU was positive, with participants supportive of the overall need of value chain participants to increase communication on new events, regulatory approvals in key markets, product stewardship, and commercialization.

Based on this, the ASA board of directors and the NCGA corn board have taken action to endorse the overall concept of the MOU and gave direction for ASA and NCGA to work with value chain participants in the coming weeks to finalize it.

ASA and NCGA are currently seeking input from organizations interested in potentially signing the MOU with the goal of finalizing it and seeking signatories in early 2012.