Corn Growers Try to Convince Skeptical Europeans

March 28, 2002

Representatives of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are in Europe this week to spread the word on biotechnology and provide education to those who may have doubts. Biotech Working Group Chairman and Assumption, IL, corn grower Leon Corzine and Director of Public Policy Keira Franz have been talking to European media and farmers about the benefits U.S. growers are reaping thanks to biotech.

"I've talked to local print and television media," said Corzine while in Switzerland, "about my perspective as a grower on biotech. I've also told them about NCGA and our message on using sound-science to make an informed decision on whether biotech is right for you and your situation."

Corzine said the circumstances in Switzerland currently aren't biotech-friendly. "They have a complete biotech ban for the next 10 years," he said. "They can't plant any kind of biotech crops or have it in their livestock feed. I talked to one dairy operator who won't use soybeans for livestock feed over fear of accidentally using biotech beans."

During a stop in Brussels, Belgium, Corzine was invited to speak at the world headquarters of Syngenta, who also sponsored the trip for the NCGA representatives. "Our goal is to let employees know that growers in the United States. are benefiting from biotechnology," said Corzine. "I told explained how my son and I operate a family farm, how I make planting decisions and why I plant biotech crops."

Corzine and Franz will continue to travel through the European Union (EU) and will return to the United States on Sunday.