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U.S.
Corn Leaders To Tackle Biotechnology Issues During European Mission
(6-07-01)
During a joint mission
to Europe next week, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and
the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will work to bridge the gap between the
United States and Europe on issues surrounding biotechnology and move
beyond the current trade stalemate, say the top officials from the two
organizations.
USGC President Ken
Hobbie explained the Council's motivation in organizing the trip for
corn grower leaders. "As the export market development arm of the
U.S. corn industry, we recognize that the current impasse on biotechnology
serves no one. So we're fielding a team to Europe to help build relationships
and promote ongoing, constructive engagement between the U.S. grain
industry and interested European groups and governments," he said
NCGA Executive Vice
President and CEO Rick Tolman said that the corn growers participating
in the mission plan to talk and to listen. "We want to assess the
current status of the biotech debate in Europe and gain a better understanding
of how biotechnology is viewed by European consumers, agricultural groups,
governments, importers and others," he said. "Also, we want
to assess the prospects of the EU resuming a biotech approval process
and re-energizing trade.
"At the same
time, we're also going to clarify the responsible and positive attitude
of U.S. corn growers towards biotech and explain the benefits that this
technology can provide for farmers, consumers and society," said
Tolman.
Besides Tolman,
the joint NCGA-USGC delegation will consist of Lee Klein, NCGA president
and farmer from Battle Creek, Neb.; Fred Yoder, NCGA Biotechnology Working
Group chairman and Plain City, Ohio farmer; Leon Corzine, NCGA Biotechnology
Working Group member and farmer from Assumption, Ill.; David McGuire,
USGC director of trade relations and global strategies; and Ellen Dougherty,
USGC director of communications.
During stops in
Brussels, Rotterdam, Geneva and Paris, they will meet with representatives
of the European Commission, the World Trade Organization and the two
bodies' member countries, as well as private groups representing both
pro- and anti-biotech positions.
Following the mission,
participants will work together to develop recommendations for a more
active biotechnology strategy for the U.S. grain industry in Europe
and elsewhere.
"The knowledge
that is gathered and the relationships that are developed on this trip
will help us to make informed decisions about future programs and activities,"
Hobbie noted.
Tolman concluded,
"This will be a great opportunity for U.S. farmers to talk directly
with European customers, identify their concerns and start clearing
up any lingering issues on biotechnology. We're looking forward to discussions
that can be beneficial to all parties."
For more information
about the National Corn Growers Association, visit www.ncga.com. For
more information about the U.S. Grains Council, visit www.grains.org.
Last
reviewed June 7, 2001
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