March 16, 2006

 

Syngenta may launch GM wheat in next decade

 

 

Syngenta, a Swiss agricultural company, may introduce the world's first genetically modified wheat seed by early next decade, fully supported by American wheat industry organisations.

 

After several years of successful trials designed to test the resistance of its wheat seed to the disease fusarium, Syngenta now says it still needs to conduct more extensive field performance evaluations, emphasizing that it is still in the early stages of development. It refused to give any specific timeline other than a release date "somewhere early next decade".

 

The company is currently evaluating market acceptance of genetically modified wheat and it may be right to play on the safe side.

 

Two years ago, rival company Monsanto's plans to introduce a GM variety resistant to herbicide fell through amidst controversy and protests from wheat activists.

 

Since wheat is an important dietary staple in western countries, approval may not come easy due to aggressive lobbying and emotional attachment to conventional wheat. Still, despite the opposition, the US wheat industry will be giving Syngenta their full support.

 

Last month, US Wheat Associates (USW), the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and the Wheat Export Trade Education Committee (WETEC) passed resolutions of support for biotechnological research.

 

The organizations pledged to ensure that planting and marketing choices are based on economic, agronomic, and market factors. They also pledged to encourage wheat customers to make purchases based on specific traits.

 

The wheat organizations also said they hope for a nationally and internationally accepted definition of GM products, as well as the international standardisation of scientific standards and trade rules.

 

They oppose compulsory labeling of products containing GM wheat in both the US and international markets if its traits are similar to conventional wheat. However, they said they support voluntary labeling, provided it complies with US law and international trade agreements and is not misleading.

 

Industry organisations also said they will continue to support delivery of non-GM wheat to markets that demand it "within reasonable tolerances", despite their support of GM wheat.