BLOOMINGTON, IL – Illinois Farm Bureau’s (IFB) board of directors has declared its opposition to the planting in 2003 of genetically modified corn varieties not approved in the European Union (EU).
The IFB board expressed "deep concern" that a much-anticipated increase in planting EU-unapproved genetically modified corn could threaten the European import market for corn gluten, a livestock feed that is an important co-product of ethanol and corn sweeter processing. Illinois is the dominant corn processing state in the nation.
IFB president Ron Warfield said Illinois acreage of genetically modified corn not approved in Europe has been relatively small, amounting to less than 5% of the total crop. This small acreage and the refusal of corn processors to buy certain varieties have kept corn products moving to the EU.
But Warfield notes that new varieties -- expected to be cleared by U.S. regulators for 2003 planting -- could dramatically increase the acreage of EU-unapproved corn. "Increasing acreage from current levels increases the difficulty of channeling unapproved varieties away from processors," said Warfield.
Bioseed firms suggest that the need for new biotechnology-enhanced varieties could double the U.S. corn acreage planted to genetically modified corn by 2006. "Keeping much larger quantities of EU-unapproved corn out of export market channels will be virtually impossible, given the zero-tolerance attitudes in the EU," said Warfield.
"Farmers are very frustrated by this situation. Our 20-member board is supportive of biotechnology and the benefits it offers to both farmers and consumers. But until the EU changes its negative policies on acceptance, we feel Illinois farmers have no choice but to protect themselves by reducing the odds that the market for U.S. corn gluten will be lost," said Warfield.
"Planting EU-unapproved corn varieties is a potential problem for all corn producers, not just those close to ethanol plants," said Warfield. "If the $400 million gluten market is lost, this high-quality feed must be absorbed by the U.S. livestock industry, displacing whole corn in feed rations. The resulting drop in U.S. corn prices will cost corn producers approximately $1 billion."
"In the IFB board’s view, a gamble of that size with our export market is not worth the benefit derived from these new corn varieties."
Warfield noted IFB’s long-standing concern with the marketing of genetically modified seeds not approved in major export markets. Prior to the 2000, 2001 and 2002 growing seasons IFB joined the Illinois Corn Growers Association in a farmer information campaign dubbed "Know Before You Grow." This effort, to be repeated this season, tells Illinois farmers prior to planting what varieties would be accepted by grain elevators at harvest.
Last December, 366 farmer delegates at the IFB annual policy-setting session voted to require bioseed companies to "first have approval for all major uses and markets, domestic and international" before commercializing their products in the U.S.
"The bioseed companies and federal regulators did not adequately respond to farmer concerns about our export markets," said Warfield.
"Now we are asking our farmers to protect their foreign markets by not planting unapproved varieties of corn next spring. Export markets are our markets. Farmers need to defend these markets to keep prices from dropping. We will take this job seriously and spread the word, protecting these markets as well as we are able," Warfield said.
For More Info Contact: Dennis Vercler, Director of News & Communications Illinois Agricultural Association Phone (309) 557-2236 Fax (309) 557-3729 E-mail dvercler@ilfb.org
WASHINGTON - U.S. plantings of new bio-tech corn varieties not approved by the European Union should be avoided because it would threaten American exports, including $400 million worth of corn gluten, an Illinois farm group declared on Monday.
The Illinois Farm Bureau's board of directors, meeting in Bloomington, Ill., expressed "deep concern" that a likely increase in plantings next year of genetically modified corn not approved by the EU could threaten that market.
The EU currently has a moratorium on approvals of all new bio-tech products, a position denounced by the United States.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of U.S. farmers, said Illinois is the only state farm bureau so far taking a position against planting bio-tech corn not approved by the EU.
The AFBF, which generally supports biotech in agriculture, is pushing for the Bush administration to file a World Trade Organization complaint against the EU's moratorium.
Illinois is the United States' dominant corn processing state and is home to Archer Daniels Midland ADM.N , a leading corn processor.
Less than five percent of Illinois' acres are planted with biotech corn not approved by the EU, said Illinois Farm Bureau President Ron Warfield in a prepared statement.
Warfield said new bio-tech corn varieties are expected to be approved for 2003 planting by U.S. regulators, which could dramatically increase his state's acreage of corn not approved by the EU.
"Keeping much larger quantities of EU-unapproved corn out of export market channels will be virtually impossible," Warfield said, noting the EU has a "zero-tolerance" attitude toward bio-tech products that it has not approved.
He added that if the EU were to cut off imports of corn gluten from the United States, the animal feed would have to be absorbed by the U.S. livestock industry, displacing whole corn in feed rations.
"The resulting drop in U.S. corn prices will cost corn producers approximately $1 billion," Warfield said.
The European Commission has been pushing for an end to the EU's moratorium on approvals of new bio-tech food and pharmaceutical products. But fierce opposition from some EU member states has delayed action on the moratorium.
U.S. government and agriculture industry officials also fear that if the moratorium were to be lifted, it likely would be replaced by difficult labeling and product traceability standards.
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