NGFA, NAEGA ask Syngenta to suspend marketing certain biotech-enhanced corn seeds
January 24, 2014 | 12:38 PM
The National Grain and Feed Association and the North American Export Grain Association announced Thursday that they have asked Syngenta to stop selling two types of biotechnology-enhanced corn seed, citing the lack of approval by China and other countries.
The Chinese have rejected U.S. corn and distillers’ dried grains because of the presence of Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera corn, and the company’s new Agrisure Duracade corn also has not been approved yet by China and other U.S. export markets, the groups noted.
“The NGFA and NAEGA both strongly support agricultural biotechnology and other scientific and technological innovations that contribute to production efficiency and availability of a safe, abundant and high-quality food and feed supply for U.S. and world consumers,” the groups said in their letter to Syngenta.
“However, NAEGA and NGFA are gravely concerned about the serious economic harm to exporters, grain handlers and, ultimately, agricultural producers — as well as the United States’ reputation to meet its customers’ needs — that has resulted from Syngenta’s current approach to stewardship of Viptera.”
“Further, the same concerns now transcend to Syngenta’s intended product launch plans for Duracade, which risk repeating and extending the damage. Immediate action is required by Syngenta to halt such damage.”
The two groups also urged farmers to think carefully about what they plant in 2014.
The Chinese have rejected U.S. corn and distillers’ dried grains because of the presence of Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera corn, and the company’s new Agrisure Duracade corn also has not been approved yet by China and other U.S. export markets, the groups noted.
“The NGFA and NAEGA both strongly support agricultural biotechnology and other scientific and technological innovations that contribute to production efficiency and availability of a safe, abundant and high-quality food and feed supply for U.S. and world consumers,” the groups said in their letter to Syngenta.
“However, NAEGA and NGFA are gravely concerned about the serious economic harm to exporters, grain handlers and, ultimately, agricultural producers — as well as the United States’ reputation to meet its customers’ needs — that has resulted from Syngenta’s current approach to stewardship of Viptera.”
“Further, the same concerns now transcend to Syngenta’s intended product launch plans for Duracade, which risk repeating and extending the damage. Immediate action is required by Syngenta to halt such damage.”
The two groups also urged farmers to think carefully about what they plant in 2014.
