The Office of Inspector General has found insufficient evidence to support the American Soybean Association’s allegations of improper use of the soybean checkoff. In an audit released by the OIG - the United Soybean Board was given a clean review. The report indicates that during interviews - some ASA members even said they did not have any documentary evidence that USB was engaged in inappropriate activities.
USB Chairman Phil Bradshaw says they aren’t surprised with the findings…
“We are very encouraged that the Office of Inspector General found no basis for any of the allegations regarding USB’s operations and procedures. So, we feel very good about this. We want to tell everyone we appreciate their help and understanding as we went through this time and I think the report stands on it’s own merits, it’s available on the website, so go out and take a look at it, read it yourself, draw your own conclusions and we’ll move forward.”
The Inspector General did recommend closer oversight by USB of the U.S. Soybean Export Council in the future. Bradshaw says those are changes that they have already made…
“We made several changes, actually these changes were in the process before the allegations were made. We have a change in CEO’s there, we have a new CEO…acting CEO, we have a new board, the board structure of USAC is completely changed, we’ve got accounting procedures that have changed, all that has been put behind us, and I think we’re moving in the right direction on that one.
And you have to remember every year for the last four year we’ve increased our exports and we exported about 55% of the soybeans we produced in the United States…somebody’s doing something right.”
And the report states there will be an additional OIG audit conducted on USDA’s Ag Marketing Service oversight of the activities of marketing and research boards. That report will be issued separately in October 2010. Bradshaw says this means all checkoff boards will be reviewed…
“But, I think if you’ll read that it says ‘boards’, it does not say “Soybean Boards’, and that’s an ongoing process that the Agricultural Marketing Service does, so they’re going to be doing a little more of this, I think in the future, a little closer look.”
Bradshaw says the OIG report shows ASA has no legal grounds for recourse - so USB believes the matter is finished…
“I think they’re desire was simply to get the facts out. We do a lot of studies, you know, and this was just another study, hopefully it will make us a better organization.”
Bradshaw says they’re hopeful the organizations can now move forward unified for U.S. soybean farmers…
“I’ve had a good relationship with the current president, Rob Joslin, I had a good relationship through the line. I don’t know how ASA…I think Rob’s comments were very positive that I seen here this morning. I think we’ll move right forward, I think we just put it behind us and just go on.”
President Rob Joslin responded that ASA is pleased the soybean checkoff is operating as it should. He says the board asked for the investigation in good faith based on the allegations and concerns received - and acted in the best interest of soybean farmers everywhere. Joslin says the management and board changes made to USSEC after ASA asked for the OIG investigation has resulted in significant leadership and management changes that will better serve soybean farmers. Joslin says they are also pleased they can put the issue behind their industry.
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