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China’s biotech approval process ‘critical’ to global grain trade

The woman nominated to be the next chief agricultural negotiator with the office of the U.S. Trade Representative says the administration is working diligently to resolve issues surrounding China’s biotech approval process.

Darci Vetter, who currently oversees the USDA’s Foreign Ag Service, says a “predictable and timely” Chinese biotech review process is critical to the global grain trade and China’s food security.

“We are engaging our Chinese counterparts at all levels and working collectively with other like-minded exporters to address these biotech delays and try to move forward the pending applications for biotech approvals with Chinese officials,” Vetter says.

Vetter spoke Tuesday at the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s legislative conference in Lincoln.

AUDIO: Excerpt from Darci Vetter’s speech (4:01 MP3)