February 10, 2004

Asian Rust Risk In US Soy Imports Must Be Assessed

A soybean rust risk assessment currently being conducted by the U.S. government should be completed before soybean imports from rust-affected countries are contemplated, the American Soybean Association said Monday in a press release.

In order to protect the U.S. from the accidental introduction of Asian soybean rust disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or Aphis, must take into account the economic impact on the U.S. should the fungus find its way into the U.S. soybean crop, the press release said.

The only prudent course of action is to avoid imports from diseased areas until Aphis completes its risk assessment, the press release said.

Aphis says that soybean meal can continue to be imported into the U.S. under the proper protocols without risk of introducing soybean rust into the U.S., the release said.

In a Phytosanitary Alert issued by the North American Plant Protection Organization, or Nappo, it was estimated that soybean rust could adversely affect all soybean varieties in the U.S. at an estimated cost of $7.2 billion, which represents about half the value of the U.S. soybean crop, the release said.

In 1996, the disease migrated from Asia into Uganda, and by 2002 it had spread throughout much of Africa, the release said. In 2001, soybean rust was found in South America and spread throughout the soybean growing areas of Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, the release said. By 2003, rust had also spread to a northern, non-soybean growing area of Argentina, the release said.

Asian rust is a fungal disease that attacks the foliage of a soybean plant. Rust spores can be transmitted on the plant stems, pods, and leaves that are typically mixed with bulk shipments of commodity-grade whole soybeans. The disease can reduce yields up to 80 percent or more, but does not affect the quality or safety of the soybeans, the release said.