Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on Tuesday joined his U.S. Senate colleagues in a bipartisan effort to encourage the restoration of the flow of agricultural-related exports to China.
Led by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Neb.), Portman and other Senate members sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman urging a resolution to the situation that arose when a U.S. export of dried distillers grains (DDGs) was rejected by the Chinese government. The export was rejected due to traces of a U.S.-approved trait in the grains that is under regulatory consideration by the Chinese government.
“The trade disruption in (dried distillers grains) is yet another example of the regulatory challenges industry has faced with China since it began blocking U.S. corn shipments in November 2013,” the letter read. “We encourage you to work closely with China to promote a science-driven review process for agricultural biotechnology that issues determinations without undue delay, consistent with (World Trade Organization) member country obligations. As biotech products are a key component of U.S. agricultural trade with China … achieving greater cooperation between the two countries on trade issues involving new crop technologies is essential to maintaining our position as the leading agricultural exporter nationwide.”
Portman was urged to action because of concerns by such agricultural groups as the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.