Naasz said the apple industry isn't the only one that is potentially being harmed by such trips. The USApple letter requested that USDA take a longer look at such invitations in the future to prevent the dissemination of taxpayer-funded research results to foreign competitors. I'm hoping that by having taken issue with this particular trip, we have obviously garnered attention at the department. Knipling said these types of trips, taken under the proper guidelines, benefit American agriculture. He said much of the U.S. fruit and vegetable production is based on germplasm from other countries.
American scientists can also learn from their foreign colleagues.
But this incident will probably sensitize all of us to when this comes up in the future.