The European Union this year has announced rules and regulations that could impact the global grain trade including the removal of a milk quota and a proposal to allow individual member states to “opt-out� of importing food and feed containing EU-approved biotech traits. Deirdre Webb, director at the Irish Grains and Feed Association (IGFA) will delve into these topics and more at the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 55th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, set for July 27-29 in Montreal.
Webb will focus on IGFA’s commitment to importing coarse grains and feed into Ireland. That country is the largest EU market for both U.S. corn gluten feed – importing 36,000 metrics tons so far this marketing year – and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), importing 124,000 tons between January andApril 2015. She will also share the Irish grain and feed industry’s perspective on promoting and safeguarding the animal feed industry.
“With the removal of the milk quota this year, EU dairy farmers will be able to expand production without purchasing milk quota rights for the first time in 30 years,� said Cary Sifferath, USGC regional director of the Middle East and Africa. “With expanded production comes the potential for an increased demand for feed and feed ingredients, which could provide additional opportunity for U.S. farmers.
“Deirdre will also add context to the biotechnology debate as she is among the biotechnology supporters in the EU who are outspoken about the EU’s lagging approval process for genetically modified corn. I am sure attendees will benefit from her prospective and learn more about the EU’s heavily regulated market.�
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