Abigail Struxness - American Seed Trade Association
Jessica Silva - HM.CLAUSE
Julie Van Meter - Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Bonita Nicolas - Johnny's Selected Seeds
Osama El-Lissy - USDA-APHIS
Thomas Overacker - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
In this timely session, speakers from USDA agencies, ASTA plant health experts, and others will discuss the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the movement of seed globally. The session begins with a presentation by Thomas Overacker, Executive Director, Cargo & Conveyance Security (CCS), U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), with a report on plans for implementation of the USMCA agreement that begins July 1. Then, Osama El-Lissy of USDA-APHIS will address "new normal" phytosanitary considerations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Julie Van Meter from the National Plant Board will then address challenges in seed export certification from a state perspective. The last segment of the session brings us a seed company perspective, with Jessica Silva of HM.CLAUSE discussing customer service challenges caused by the pandemic, and Bonita Nichols of Johnny's Seeds discussing import/export and re-export of seed. The session concludes with ASTA's own Ric Dunkle offering a summary of challenges for ASTA and other seed associations.