Japanese Regulatory Teams Learn About U.S. Corn Production Standards

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, recently led two Japanese delegations covering feed, food and environmental regulations to the U.S. for meetings with government officials, biotechnology seed companies and industry organizations, as well as U.S. corn farmers and companies involved in the production, distribution and exports of U.S. corn to Japan.

The teams - one delegation of Japanese government advisors led by USGBC Director in Japan Tommy Hamamoto and a second delegation of Japanese regulators led by USGBC Deputy Director in Japan Chris Markey - were keen to better understand the safety protocols and quality assurance measures embedded throughout the U.S. corn value chain that underpin the continuity of U.S. corn exports to Japan.

"Japanese regulators of biotech corn have a desire and responsibility to stay current about how their regulatory approvals and regulations intersect with the U.S. corn production, distribution and export system," Hamamoto said.

"Learning what U.S. regulators and the biotechnology industry are doing to ensure supply chain safety and oversight in the commercial corn supply was a priority for the teams to reassure them of U.S. corn's quality and standards, and ultimately maintain the strong trade relationship between Japan and the U.S."

Hamamoto's team arrived first and began its journey in Illinois, spending a morning at BASF's Midwest Research Farm for an introduction to U.S. biotechnology regulations, tours of BASF's breeding fields and insights into how the company harnesses technology like drone pesticide applications.

After Markey's group landed stateside, Bayer hosted both teams for the next two days, first at one of its test farms in Indiana and then at its lab in Missouri, for a top-to-bottom look at how its research and development teams create cutting edge advantages for farmers in the U.S. and around the world.

National Corn Growers Association Chairman Kenneth Hartman welcomed the groups to his farm to discuss his farming practices, and finally Cargill invited participants to visit its grain elevator in East St. Louis to complete their understanding of the U.S. grain export system from farm to vessel.

Hamamoto's delegation returned to Japan, while Markey's continued to Washington, D.C., where staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met the group and shared its range of oversight protocols that ensure U.S. food safety during the production and export processes.

Finally, a roundtable meeting with leading CropLife, the American Seed Trade Association and other U.S. agribusinesses reinforced the goals and perspectives of U.S. corn and biotechnology stakeholders and how they work to provide the best possible product for their international customers.

"Japan is mature market that has been a trusted, reliable export partner for U.S. agricultural producers for years, so keeping up with changing consumer and regulatory needs by providing access to experts and facilities like this is an important task for our team," Markey said.

"The Council will continue to closely monitor what importers, end-users and policymakers are evaluating in regard to corn imports to maintain the U.S. corn farmer as a reliable supply partner for Japan's feed, food and bioenergy needs."

Learn more about the Council's work in Japan on the organization's website.