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Iowa ag leaders conclude Chinese trade mission

Iowa’s 10-day all-agricultural trade mission to China wraps up today.

The state’s ag leaders say they have discussed several key issues with the Chinese, including that country’s frustratingly slow and confusing biotech approval process.

Kurt Hora is the president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

“We’ve been able to utilize biotech traits and looking for approval of the rest of the traits that’s helped us clean up our water and clean up our environment there in Iowa,” Hora said. “And we hope that they will embrace those traits and accept them so we can use them worldwide and get them over here.”

Iowa Turkey Federation executive director Gretta Irwin said she had some good talks with the Chinese representatives.

“We’re seeing some very strong interest in fast food restaurants in China to be adding some turkey products,” Irwin said. “So I am leaving here very optimistic and just very exciting for everything that we’ve been seeing here. It’s been an exceptionally wonderful experience.”

Governor Kim Reynolds led the delegation in China.

Radio Iowa contributed to this story.