January 25, 2010

US wheat industry prepares for GM crop challenges

Now that the US wheat industry appears united in supporting genetically-modified (GM) crops, it is preparing for the challenge of getting foreign-market acceptance, said US Wheat Associates Director of Policy Rebecca Bratter.

Bratter said the primary concern for the eventual introduction of biotech wheat to US production is the potential loss of international buyers such as Japan and the EU, due to consumer jitters over the safety of bread made with genetically modified wheat.

US Department of Agriculture data show Japan's imports have surged in recent years, though they fell in 2009. The country bought about 3 million tonnes of US wheat in 2006, 3.4 million tonnes in 2007 and 3.6 million tonnes in 2008. The most recent data show that Japan bought about 2.8 million tonnes of US wheat from January through November 2009.

Meanwhile, the US Wheat Associates - with support of the National Association of Wheat Growers - is taking a systematic approach at defining the obstacles and preparing solutions.

Part of that approach is a pilot "matrix" the US Wheat Associates is creating, detailing specific issues that need to be dealt with in Japan, South Korea, the EU and Nigeria. Specific assessments are being made for regulatory and political hurdles in each country.

The wheat groups have also hired consultants who are scheduled to unveil preliminary results of a study called "Global Biotechnology Preparedness Assessment." A Wheat Associates spokesman said that the study is expected to be key in the group's biotech efforts.