April 5, 2011
 

US to grow GE wheat eventually

 

 

North American farmers would eventually plant genetically engineered wheat together with soy, corn and canola, according to Vince Peterson, vice president of overseas operations with US Wheat Associates.

 

Speaking at the Canada Grains Council annual meeting on Monday (Apr 4) in Winnipeg, he estimated that genetically engineered wheat would be commercially grown within the next 7-10 years.

 

While widespread resistance caused Monsanto to abandon plans for introducing a Roundup Ready wheat back in 2004, Peterson said sentiment amongst both the industry and consumers have changed in recent years to the point where it is now a matter of when, not if GE wheat becomes commercially grown.

 

Peterson said herbicide tolerance was no longer the characteristic most likely to be genetically engineered into wheat. Rather, traits such as drought and disease resistance were where research is pointing now.

 

Issues such as consumer acceptance, protection of export markets, supply chain management and regulatory approvals all need to be overcome, and Peterson expected GE wheat would be grown for the US or Australian domestic markets first before expanding into other markets.

 

It is much easier to segregate GE soy or corn as compared to wheat because the latter has more classifications.

 

Peterson said there was a need for modern biotechnology in wheat production, as the crop has lagged behind both soy and corn in planted area and average yields over the past 20 years.

 

At the same time, the global population is expected to hit nine billion by 2050, leading to an increased demand for wheat. He argued biotechnology is the best way to meet that rising demand.

 

In addition to his group, a checkoff-funded export development agency headquartered in Arlington and other industry associations, including bakers, were also starting to look more favourably on GE wheat, he said.

 

While GE wheat may still be a few years away, Peterson said efforts were underway to move forward on a number of fronts.

 

"No one wants to be the first to introduce GE wheat, but they do not want to be the second either," he said.