The Government of Indonesia issued a decree recognizing the U.S. food safety system for the import of fresh food from plant origins on January 3, 2013.  U.S. soy was included among a list of 100 U.S. agricultural products given access to the Port of Jakarta with no additional health certificates required beyond the phytosanitary certificate. Indonesia recognizes the food safety control system for fresh products of plant origin of only four countries - the U.S. Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
USSEC and and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Board (MSR&PB) were instrumental in obtaining simplified market access by hosting a Indonesian Ministry of Agricultural technical team in June 2012 for a series of meetings and site visits in Minnesota.  The program provided an overview of U.S. soy production, grain handling and inspection processes.  The Ministry of Agriculture officials learned about the commercial incentives and regulatory checks inherent in the U.S. soy production and export system.
This week, FAS-Jakarta's Agricultural Counselor Ali Abdi, recognized the importance of the USSEC and MSPB-led technical team visit.  MSR&PB's director of marketing programs Sam Ziegler organized visits to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, a CHS barge loading facility, the Western Consolidated cooperative, and Michael O'Leary's farm near Danvers, Minn.  USSEC's senior strategy & program advisor Dana Johnson and director of technical issues Kim Nill escorted the team.
"The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Board is an important partner for USSEC in exposing international buyers and government officials to the U.S. soy value chain and food safety system," said Dana Johnson.  "This is a great example of how successful engagement with foreign governments secures market access for the entire U.S. Soy Family."