KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The world’s major corn exporters are working together to streamline global approval of genetically modified crops.
Grower groups in the United States, Brazil and Argentina have signed an agreement they hope will expedite the commercialization of new traits in corn crops. The board of the U.S. National Corn Growers Association approved the initiative during the 2013 Commodity Classic conference.
“We want to have access to traits in a transparent and effective manner,” said NCGA president Pam Johnson.
One of the main goals of the pact is to seek synchronized approvals of new traits around the world and to push for faster turnaround times.
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“Approval rates in our own countries and in importing countries are so slow,” said Johnson.
Another objective of the groups is to try to eliminate trade disruptions by encouraging importers to adopt low level presence policies allowing for reasonable levels of contamination from unapproved traits in grain shipments.
Lastly, the corn growers plan to educate consumers about modern agriculture practices and the important role biotechnology will play in feeding nine billion people by 2050.
Johnson said industry and governments are already doing a lot of this work but it’s important growers have a voice in the debate.
