Press Release from the
Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy
Ninety-eight percent of North Dakota grain
elevator operators responding to a survey said they were either
very concerned (82%) or somewhat concerned (16%) about the
proposed introduction of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE)
"Roundup Ready" wheat. Additionally, 78% of the operators
supported an expanded public review of GE wheat compared to what
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has
previously required for approval of GE crops, the survey found.
The Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy sent the survey to 317 North Dakota grain
elevators. Fifty-two elevators responded. The survey targeted
North Dakota because it is the number-one state in Hard Red
Spring Wheat production, and spring wheat is the first GE wheat
variety slated for commercial release. The Institute is
surveying elevators in other major wheat producing states, and
will release those results as they are compiled.
"The world wide consumer must have confidence
with the credibility of the U.S. farmer and government dealers,
which will have no control should Monsanto be in control of
wheat releases," said one elevator operator. "Where is the
demand for Roundup Ready wheat? Not one consumer group wants
it!"
"Release [of genetically engineered wheat]
before customer acceptance could be death to the US spring wheat
market," said another North Dakota elevator operator. "It’s
impossible to have a segregation system with zero tolerance."
"This survey reflects serious concern among
North Dakota wheat elevator operators about the potential
adverse economic impacts of GE wheat," said Dennis Olson, Senior
Associate at the Institute. "It also shows strong support for a
more comprehensive public review of GE wheat introduction than
USDA has previously required for other crops."
In other survey results, the elevators ranked
loss of export markets as their greatest concern related to GE
wheat commercialization. This was followed by the feasibility of
creating a workable segregation system; consumer rejection in
importing countries; liability risks to their businesses; and
consumer rejection in the U.S. All elevators said their
customers were concerned about GE wheat deregulation, with 77
percent characterizing their customers’ concern over GE wheat to
be either very high (54%) or high (23%). The complete
survey—with graphics—can be viewed at:
www.iatp.org.
Monsanto petitioned USDA’s Animal Health &
Inspection Service for approval of its GE wheat variety on
December 19, 2002. Based on USDA’s reviews of previous GE crops,
Monsanto’s petition could be legally approved by the 2004 spring
planting season. Major wheat importing countries prohibit or
require labeling of GE crops. Some have said that they will not
buy any U.S. wheat if GE wheat is approved, because there is
currently no segregation system in place to prevent genetic
contamination of conventional wheat. Monsanto’s GE wheat
petition has sparked an intense debate within the wheat industry
over the wisdom of commercializing GE wheat because of the
potential loss of export markets, liability risks, anti-trust
implications and other issues.
In February, wheat growers filed a petition with
USDA arguing that the agency is legally required to conduct a
comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to
approving Monsanto’s GE wheat petition. An EIS would require a
thorough analysis of the socio-economic impacts of GE wheat
introduction, and more time for public comment. "Those wanting a
more comprehensive review of GE wheat will have to demand it of
the USDA, which has been reluctant to conduct such reviews with
other GE crops," Olson said.
A recent economic study by Dr. Robert Wisner of
Iowa State University projected that the price of spring wheat
could drop by about one-third if a genetically engineered (GM)
variety is introduced commercially in the next two to six years.
Wisner noted that other wheat-exporting countries have ample
non-GM wheat supplies for concerned buyers. Wisner’s study can
be viewed at: www.worc.org.
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and
ecosystems around the world through research and education,
science and technology, and advocacy.
Complete survey in PDF format at:
http://www.agobservatory.org/library/uploadedfiles/New_Survey_Indicates_Strong_Grain_Elevator_Con.pdf