Japanese Feed Industry Delegation Travels to U.S. to Discuss Unifying Corn Standards

A delegation consisting of members from the Japanese Feed Manufacturers Association (JFMA), JA Zennoh, and the Japan Feed Trade Association (JFTA) have traveled to Washington DC to meet with the U.S. Grains Council to discuss the quality of U.S. corn, and to establish a unified code of standards for the crop that meets Japan’s new good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines.

The Japanese delegation also met with members of the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).

Discussion were focused on methods of testing and analyzing U.S. corn quality, creating rules for testing U.S. corn that is shipped, and the establishment of a program in Japan under which U.S. corn is tested for aflatoxin before being unloaded in that country using methods that are consistent with those used in the U.S.

“This would reassure Japanese buyers and end-users of U.S. corn’s high quality and help meet the new GMP guidelines,” said USGC Director in Japan, Tommy Hamamoto. “In addition, the feed industry delegation requested more frequent information on mycotoxin levels in U.S. corn.”

Competition on the global grains market is intensifying, necessitating a higher level of transparency and responsibility to the buyer. The USGC has programs in place to educate Japanese buyers on corn production in the U.S., its marketing systems, and its standards and grades used in its corn export trade. In addition to this, the Council has plans to increase its customer service expertise to Japanese buyers to ease any ongoing concerns.

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