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Non-tariff barriers need to be addressed

The administrator of USDA’s Foreign Ag Service says while tariffs are getting a lot of attention, non-tariff barriers to trade must be addressed.

Ken Isley says non-tariff barriers are just as harmful to the agriculture industry.

“That’s restrictions under food safety laws or other import regulation requirements that would prevent access of our products-pesticide maximum reside levels and other things,” he says.

He says some of those barriers are being negotiated during talks with China.

“Biotech approvals are just one example of that that’s important to our corn and soybean farmers so we’re addressing those issues head on,” he says.

Isley spoke to Brownfield during the Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents’ trip to D.C. this week.