1. Phytosanitary Report

2. 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!

3. 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(?)

4. Regulatory Framework for Seed Health (ReFreSH)

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. Trade Update

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

14. 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.

15. Questions & Answers