Phytosanitary Report

PSTVd STP’s Monitoring Seed Imports PSTVd is now on APHIS’s radar screen China-origin seed re-exported to the EU has tested positive in the EU, confirmed by APHIS (PSTVd is a Q pest; officially not in China!) PSTVd is largely inconsequential in tomato seed; but a major threat to potato production One source could also be the UC Davis tomato breeding collection – needs to be tested Other PSTVd potential sources: pepper seed, petunia, other solanaceous ornamental species APHIS considering establishing an import monitoring program for PSTVd and other seed transmitted pathogens (STP’s) of concern Stay tuned!

Other Recent Issues S. Korea: Work continuing on developing the regulated pest list (150 pests identified out of 6,000 from Korea’s HOL) Recent ryegrass shipment rejections: Cochliobolus spicifera Turkey: Cucumber seed small lots Japan: seed certification issue Canada: still issues with the new P4P manual Chile: Re-export issues Need for another import/export workshop(?)

Regulatory Framework for Seed Health (ReFreSH)

Regulatory Framework for Seed Health (ReFreSH) Risk-, science-based systems approach Aims to develop an effective and more efficient program for managing phytosanitary risk associated with international seed movements Leverage industry best practices Promote global adoption of a harmonized system

Designing a P-HACCP System Identify critical control points Identify mitigation measures Establish performance standards Establish monitoring procedures Establish corrective measures Establish records requirements

Where are we now? ReFreSH Working Group APHIS, Industry, Academia, State Draft ReFreSH Concept paper Leveraging existing systems/practices Seed production site visits QMS/BMP comparison document PRAs Spinach, Melon, Pepper Guideline document drafted

Beyond ReFreSH Simultaneous efforts across the globe U.S.: Australia: Global Integrated System of Seed Production ISF: Systems Approach Working Group / Disease Prevention Program France PGRP Industry: GSPP, DPP So again, in 2016, USDA and the seed industry, along with academics and State partners collaborated to create a new initiative: the Regulatory Framework for Seed Health or ReFreSH. ReFreSH was conceived as a science and risk based systems approach for managing phytosanitary risk associated with the international movement of seed. A key feature of the ReFreSH concept is employing existing industry best management practices as the backbone of the systems approach to produce an approach that could be harmonized globally.

International forums Two significant international meetings on systems approaches: ISF Systems Approach Chatham House Rules Meeting Rome, April 2018 Participants: One NPPO representative, one national seed association representative from each country Countries: Australia, Chile, Netherlands, South Africa, U.S. Australia DAWR International Clean Seeds Pathway Brisbane, June 2018 Participants: NPPO and industry representatives from at least 10 countries from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania So again, in 2016, USDA and the seed industry, along with academics and State partners collaborated to create a new initiative: the Regulatory Framework for Seed Health or ReFreSH. ReFreSH was conceived as a science and risk based systems approach for managing phytosanitary risk associated with the international movement of seed. A key feature of the ReFreSH concept is employing existing industry best management practices as the backbone of the systems approach to produce an approach that could be harmonized globally.

International “consensus” Consensus opinion of two international meetings on use of systems approaches. Recognizing industry practices as part of a Systems Approach as an alternative to current consignment based approaches is beneficial. Ultimate goal: global, multi-lateral acceptance and implementation of such a Systems Approach by NPPOs and industry

Next Steps Complete development of criteria for accreditation under ReFreSH Complete a description of the ReFreSH system in FY 2018 Another Chatham House Rules meeting is being organized (Dec 10-11, 2018) Explore harmonization/potential pilots Quads, ISF Initial focus: small seed lots

Trade Update

ASTA’s Key Requests Incorporated into the USMCA Agriculture Chapter Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Intellectual Property

Latest Development Mexico: USMCA on Pause Until Tariffs are Resolved Mexico's deputy commerce minister, Juan Carlos Baker Pineda has said that Mexico will not sign the new USMCA until the United States removes it's steel and aluminum tariffs. The US imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada back in March, with a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports.

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