NCGA
Hails China’s Decision to Import Biotech Corn (4-23-04)
The National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) applauds the successful completion of negotiations
between the United States and China Joint
Commission on Commerce and Trade which resulted in China’s
approval of four biotech corn hybrids and seven canola plant varieties.
Officials say approval of two more corn hybrids is pending and China
has assured the United States that these additional hybrids will
be reviewed in May.
“NCGA is pleased with China’s action and is optimistic
it will help promote the universal acceptance of agriculture biotechnology.
This will help provide stability in the market place and ensure exports
are not restricted later this year,” said NCGA President Dee
Vaughan.
No sector of the U.S.
economy is more dependent on trade than agriculture – and
corn growers are no exception to that rule. One out of every five
rows of U.S. corn is exported, and exports of value-added corn and
co-products add to the importance of foreign markets for U.S. corn
producers, Vaughan said.
The acceptance of biotech
crops is the result of a two-year effort by a joint United States-China
working group on biotechnology, developed
in 2002 by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and China’s Vice
Premier Wu Yi. The group was developed in response to the growing
issue of restriction on biotechnology product. China has allowed
the importation of biotech varieties but only under interim safety
certificates.
Vaughan noted NCGA is very appreciative of the efforts of the U.S.
Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S.
Embassy in Beijing, and President George W. Bush for their persistent
efforts
“NCGA is committed to acquiring the availability and marketability
of products derived from biotechnology. China’s rapid growth
and demand for agricultural commodities will translate into a stronger
trade relationship between our two countries,” said Vaughan. “We
look forward to working with both the U.S. and Chinese governments
to build upon a science based regime that promotes rather than restricts
trade around the world.”
NCGA represents more than 33,000 dues-paying corn growers from 48
states and supports trade agreements that will open markets for U.S.
farmers and support increased funding for the Foreign Market Development
and Market Access Programs administered by USDA.