United States

Department of

Agriculture

Foreign

Agricultural

Service

Circular Series

FFVS 4-98

April 1998

July 1997-February 1998 Highlights

General Trade Summary

U.S. planting seed exports during July 1997-

February 1998 totaled 618,456 metric tons valued at

$659.7 million, a decrease of 23 percent in volume

but an increase of 1 percent in value over the same

period in 1996/97. Imports for the period totaled

98,690 tons (about 2 percent above a year ago)

valued at $206.2 million (13 percent above last

year).

Attache Reports

Following are excerpts from U.S. Agricultural

Attache reports recently received in

FAS/Washington. Copies of the complete reports

may be obtained by contacting the Cotton, Oilseeds,

Tobacco, and Seeds Division at the address, the

telephone or Fax number listed on the back cover, or

the FAS homepage at www.fas.usda.gov.

New Zealand (Report number NZ8011): New

Zealand's regulatory framework for biotechnology

issues will change on July 1, 1998 as the Hazardous

Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) comes

into force. The Environmental Risk Management

Authority (ERMA) is the lead agency to consider

applications for the introduction of hazardous

substances and new organisms into New Zealand. 

ERMA will be responsible for monitoring

compliance with conditions attached to approved

applications. ERMA will also take over the decision

making functions formerly carried out by the

Ministry for the Environment's Interim Assessment

Group for New Organisms (IAG). Genetically

modified plants, such as rapeseed and maize, are

already being field tested in New Zealand. 

However, full release of GMO's has not yet

occurred.

All persons wishing to import for release, or

import/develop in containment, any new organism

or GMO, need approval under HSNO. However,

many approvals will not come directly from ERMA. 

The Act provides for rapid assessments to be

delegated from ERMA to other agencies. Border

enforcement authorities will handle simple cases of

importation. Committees in relevant institutions

will deal with GMO development, following criteria

set by ERMA. Details of how delegation of this

authority will operate is expected to be published by

the end of March and a full set of guidelines on

application procedures is expected to be ready by

mid-May. Pre-application inquiries should be

addressed to ERMA's Manager, Operations - Kevin

Carrie. General written inquiries should be

addressed to the Chief Executive. Informal

technical inquiries by phone, fax or e-mail should be

directed to Donald Hannah.

GMO's are considered to be a special class of new

organisms by the New Zealand government. The

Ministry for the Environment is preparing

regulations pertaining to genetic modifications

which are deemed low risk and suitable for rapid

assessment (and thus eligible for delegated

authority).

ERMA intends to complete consideration for GMO

applications intended for the 1998 spring season by

mid-October .

ERMA intends to consider all applications

involving GMO plantings as a group. However, if

hearings are sought, ERMA will not necessarily

hold a single hearing. Contact Details: ERMA New

Zealand, Level 2, 20 Customhouse Quay, PO Box

131, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND. Tel: 

011-644-473-8426 ; Fax: 011-644-473-8433.

Email: enquiries@ermanz.govt.nz; Website: 

www.ermanz.govt.nz.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW

STOP 1004

WASHINGTON, DC 20250-1004

For questions concerning your subscription or change of address,

PRINT OR TYPE the new address, including ZIP code and return

this sheet to:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161

For questions or concerns on the data included in this publication,

contact us at the address shown above.

For Further 

Information Contact:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Foreign Agricultural Service

Cotton, Oilseeds, Tobacco and Seeds Division

1400 Independence Avenue S.W.

STOP 1051

Washington, D.C. 20250-1051

Telephone: 202-720-9491

FAX: 202-690-1171

e-mail: coonrod@fas.usda.gov

Larry Blum Director

Elizabeth Callanan Deputy Director/Marketing

Frank Coolidge Deputy Director/Analysis

Loyd G. Coonrod Seed Marketing and Analysis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,

color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or familial status. 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal

employment opportunity employer.

Argentina (Report number NZ8025): Oilseed

planted area is increasing mainly due to Roundup

Ready soybeans. One variety has been released and

other applications are on the waiting list. For BT

corn, one variety has received final approval. There

are five or six more applications for GMO corn

varieties pending official authorization. The

Argentine seed sector is promoting the use of these

new GMO’s but consumer concern still exists in

many parts of the world. This is causing

apprehension on the part of the Argentine

Government and industry groups. The Argentine

Chamber of Sanitary Health and Fertilizer, the

Argentine Seed Association and the Producers'

Association, are all protesting the European position

as discriminatory against their products.

The National Seed Institute (INASE) has created a

commission of experts within the Secretariat of

Agriculture for the purpose of protecting the

agroecosystem and maintaining adequate biosafety

conditions. Resolution 142/91 of the Argentine

Secretariat of Agriculture created the National

Advisory Commission of Agricultural

Biotechnology (CONABIA) which was later

expanded by Resolution 669/93. All GMO seed

varieties have to be approved by (INASE). 

CONABIA’s responsibility is to conduct genetic

tests, analyze the presentations, and pass the

information to the National Plant Health Service

(SENASA). SENASA performs the innocuousness

test of the product. All test results are returned to

CONABIA. which then reviews, recommends

action including deregulation if warranted. Final

results go the Undersecretary of Agriculture, who is

responsible for the approval of the product for

marketing.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW

STOP 1004

WASHINGTON, DC 20250-1004

For questions concerning your subscription or change of address,

PRINT OR TYPE the new address, including ZIP code and return

this sheet to:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161

For questions or concerns on the data included in this publication,

contact us at the address shown above.

For Further 

Information Contact:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Foreign Agricultural Service

Cotton, Oilseeds, Tobacco and Seeds Division

1400 Independence Avenue S.W.

STOP 1051

Washington, D.C. 20250-1051

Telephone: 202-720-9491

FAX: 202-690-1171

e-mail: coonrod@fas.usda.gov

Larry Blum Director

Elizabeth Callanan Deputy Director/Marketing

Frank Coolidge Deputy Director/Analysis

Loyd G. Coonrod Seed Marketing and Analysis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,

color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or familial status. 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal

employment opportunity employer.