Representing a broad section of the U.S. food and agricultural industry, members of the U.S. Biotech Crops Alliance (USBCA) sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking for “practical, trade facilitating measures to ensure increased Chinese access” to U.S. products.
As part of an ongoing effort to elevate the importance of market access in China, the group pointed out the importance of ensuring swift, positive action on pending biotechnology issues in China.
“We ask that you raise the need for China to establish a transparent, predictable and practical approach to both biotechnology approvals and imports of grains and oilseeds that may contain crop biotechnology,” the letter states. “A second goal is to obtain a commitment from President Xi to advance the full queue of biotechnology products, including the seven currently awaiting final import approvals, and other products in or awaiting field trials.”
The letter was sent in advance of President Obama’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C. later this week. China is a key export market for U.S. soybeans, but trade flows are at risk due to China’s restrictive regulatory approval procedures for biotech products.
“…we urge you to reengage President Xi on the importance of elevating and intensifying the Strategic Agricultural Innovation Dialogue, so that we can tackle serious food, environmental, and economic challenges in the strongest possible manner over the long term,” the letter states.