September 7, 2007

 

Japan accepts US genetically modified corn

 

 

Japan has finally accepted genetically modified US corn. 

 

This development has been welcomed by the National Corn Growers Association as Japan is the biggest importer of US corn.

 

Jamie Jamison, the association's director and also a grain farmer said the approval is a "big, big help for farmers and happy to get it done before harvest". The US is the largest corn producer in the world.

 

Japan had balked at receiving Agrisure Rootworm trait (MIR 604), a genetically modified corn which produces a protein that kills corn rootworm.

 

The corn has finally cleared Japanese regulatory hurdles, said Mimi Ricketts, a spokeswoman for the National Corn Growers Association.

 

The approval only includes East Coast corn growers -- including Maryland but it should boost American corn industry as a whole, Jamison said.

 

Exports of farm products will help boost Maryland's farm prices and income, said Maryland Grain Industry Executive Director Lynne Hoot.

 

Maryland's agricultural exports were estimated at US$313 million in 2006. The state's corn production contributes US$120 million to the state's economy and its feed grain output accounts for the state's third largest export, according to the Maryland Grain Association.

 

Such exports help support about 3,223 jobs both on and off Maryland's farms in food processing, storage, and transportation.

 

Jamison said corn grown on the East Coast is consumed by the East Coast. The ability to export corn to Japan affects other growers, particularly, Midwest farmers, he said.

 

Hoot said the Japanese have been very particular about not receiving the corn. In the past, they had turn down whole shipments if a small quantity of the genetically modified corn was found mixed in with organic shipments.

 

Approval of the corn is truly a real benefit to American farmers, Hoot said.