CHINESE AND U.S. OFFICIALS OPEN 2007 AQUACULTURE
AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

May 4, 2007 - Chinese and U.S. representatives marked the commencement of this year's water resource management and aquaculture project during a ceremony held in Yangzhong, China. This is the second in a 3-year series of demonstration aquaculture trials designed to promote soy-based aquafeed technology and water resource management. It is unique in that it brings together a new group of U.S. and Chinese partner organizations. Funding for these demonstrations is provided by a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Emerging Markets Program (EMP) with technical support and additional funding provided by the Nanjing Research Institute of the Chinese State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), the Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) and ASA-IM.

After speeches by the officials present, including comments made by Phil Bradshaw, USB Director and Vice Chair of the International Marketing Committee and Mike Yost, Administrator of the USDA/FAS, a ceremonial ribbon was cut and grass carp fingerlings that will be part of this season's production program were jointly released. Shanghai Consul-General Kenneth Jarrett, USSEC CEO Dan Duran, along with Yost and Bradshaw made a symbolic feeding of the fish with soy-based feed.

Other U.S. representatives at the ceremony included Maurice House, Minister-Counselor for Agriculture, U.S. Embassy Beijing; Ms. Cina Radler, Director, Office of Country & Regional Affairs (OCRA); Mr. Wade Sheppard, Senior Policy Advisor for North Asia ATO Director; Mr. Wayne Batwin, Shanghai Ag Trade Office Director; and Dr. Sylvana Li, Development Resources & Disaster Assistance Advisor, Office of Capacity Building & Development.

ASA-IM China staff participating in the ceremonies included Phil Laney, Country Director; Zhang Xiao Ping, Deputy Director; Jim Zhang, Aquaculture Program Manager and Zhou En Hua, Freshwater Aqua Specialist.