NCGA Advises Growers New Biotech Trait Lacks Japanese Approval (3-27-07)

The 2007 corn planting season is under way, and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) advises growers Syngenta’s Agrisure™ Rootworm trait (MIR 604) has not received full approval in Japan. NCGA’s biotechnology policy only supports events that have received full regulatory approval in the United States and Japan.

“We have requested Syngenta not release hybrids containing this trait this planting season,” said NCGA President Ken McCauley. “Growers planting the Agrisure™ Rootworm trait should be aware that if Japanese regulatory approvals are not granted by harvest, there will be serious restrictions on the marketability of the grain.”

NCGA’s request that Syngenta withhold the release of the Agrisure™ Rootworm trait was solely based on the current lack of full Japanese approvals. Japan is the leading U.S. corn export market and accounts for nearly 5 percent of total U.S. production.

“Our request is consistent with our policy, which addresses customer concerns and protects our traditional markets,” said NCGA President Ken McCauley. “NCGA supports commercial release of biotech corn events or combination of events that have received full approval by U.S. and Japanese regulatory agencies.”

NCGA’s biotech position I-A-1 #4 reads:
“Support the commercial release of biotech corn events or combination of events subsequent to consultation with and approval by the NCGA Biotech Working Group. These events must also receive full approval by the relevant U.S. and Japanese regulatory agencies, and the product registrant must be aggressively pursuing approval in every country or bloc that requires approval prior to importation of corn, corn products or food containing corn ingredients.”

NCGA strongly encourages farmers planting the trait to develop alternative marketing plans for this grain. It will not be marketed under the Market Choices™ label. If Japanese regulatory approvals are not received prior to harvest, this grain must be kept out of export channels and away from processors that might export corn products such as corn gluten feed and distillers dried grains.

Although the primary concern is Japan, Agrisure Rootworm currently lacks regulatory approval in most major export markets, McCauley said.

Agrisure Rootworm and stacks will be carried by NK Brand, Garst and Golden Harvest hybrids.

Click here for NCGA’s complete position on biotech hybrids.