July 30, 2013

The International Maize Alliance (MAIZALL) today announced the election of its initial Board of Directors and officers. Elected as officers of MAIZALL are: Julius Schaaf (U.S.), President; Sérgio Luis Bortolozzo (Brazil), 1st Vice President; Alberto Morelli (Argentina), 2nd Vice President.

MAIZALL is composed of MAIZAR, representing Argentina producers and the maize supply chain; ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers); the National Corn Growers Association, and the U.S. Grains Council. The organizations recently signed a memorandum of understanding to form an alliance of North and South American maize (corn) producers to collaborate on a global basis to address key issues concerning food security, biotechnology, stewardship, trade and producer image.

Ratified by the four organizations, the MAIZALL board of directors is composed of three directors each from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. For Argentina the directors are: Alberto Morelli, President, MAIZAR; Gastón Fernández Palma, Vice President, MAIZAR; Alfredo Paseyro, President, Argentine Seed Association. For Brazil the directors are: Sérgio Luis Bortolozzo, Vice-President, ABRAMILHO; Cesário Ramalho, 1st Secretary, ABRAMILHO; João Carlos Werlang, President, ABRAMILHO. For the U.S. the directors are: Julius Schaaf, Vice-Chairman, U.S. Grains Council; Pam Johnson, President, National Corn Growers Association; and Ron Gray, Secretary-Treasurer, U.S. Grains Council.

MAIZALL also installed three additional designees representing each country. For Argentina the designees are: Juan R. E. Gear, President, GEAR SA; Santiago del Solar, CREA Representative; Martin Fraguio, Executive Director, MAIZAR. For Brazil, the designees are: Paulo Bertolini, 1st Treasurer, ABRAMILHO; Cláudio de Jesus, Supervisory Board, ABRAMILHO; Otávio Canesin, Supervisory Board, ABRAMILHO. For the U.S. the designees are: Martin Barbre, Vice President, National Corn Growers Association; Thomas Sleight, President and CEO, U.S. Grains Council; Floyd Gaibler, Director, Trade Policy & Biotechnology, U.S. Grains Council.

The MAIZALL Board of Directors recently held their first meeting to formalize administrative and institutional procedures and began planning for its initiatives. MAIZALL will be registered in Panama City, Panama.

Website: http://www.maizall.org/

Published: July 31, 2013