Biotech Seed Approval Welcomed in U.S.

August 23, 2001

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says it welcomes the report that a subcommittee within Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) approved a draft proposal setting a one percent tolerance for unapproved biotech hybrids in livestock feed. "Although this is just the first step in a long process and applies to feed, not food., corn growers are encouraged that this action sets the stage for addressing the problems created by the unintentional commingling of StarLink in U.S. corn," said Rick Tolman, executive vice president and CEO of NCGA.

Tolman has worked on this issue for almost a year. In September, one of Tolman's first duties as NCGA CEO was to visit Japan with U.S. Grains Council President Ken Hobbie to address the issue directly with Japanese customers.

The draft proposal, approved by the Safety Assessment Subcommittee of MAFF's Feed Committee, is expected to be open for comments from the public and from World Trade Organization member countries. Then the proposal will be submitted to the full MAFF Feed Committee for approval. The biotech hybrids must have approval in at least one of the 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"If all goes smoothly, we estimate that the new law would take effect in early 2002," said Hobbie. Tolman and Hobbie said the development indicates that MAFF understands what an impossible task it is to guarantee a zero tolerance, and it offers an option for corn that tests positive for StarLink to be used for feed in Japan.