St. Louis, Missouri
April 30, 2007
The
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds corn
farmers that Syngenta’s Agrisure RW MIR 604 technology lacks
full approvals in most major export markets, including Japan.
In March, NCGA requested Syngenta withhold Agrisure RW hybrids
from the market this planting season, citing lack of Japanese
approval. It is uncertain this trait will receive Japanese
approvals prior to the 2007 harvest. Agrisure RW and stacks have
full approvals in the United States.
“Our request to Syngenta was based solely on NCGA policy,” said
NCGA President Ken McCauley.
Syngenta is requiring farmers to identify the planned end use of
the grain prior to receiving the seed. NCGA strongly recommends
growers who intend to market this grain off-farm to contact
their delivery point to ensure it will still accept this corn if
Japanese approvals are not granted.
“Over the past several weeks, we have seen a number of elevators
and grain companies change their acceptance policy regarding
Agrisure RW hybrids and stacks containing Agrisure RW,” McCauley
noted.
In addition, farmers should be cognizant of cross-pollination
issues. The easiest way to minimize the risk from
cross-pollination is to plant buffers around the field or
harvest and market the first few rows of adjoining corn with the
non-approved hybrids. Farmers should also remember to clean out
planters adequately prior to planting other fields.
Finally, growers should be aware that Agrisure GT/CB/LL also
lacks full Japanese regulatory approvals.
Agrisure RW and stacks are available through NK Brands, Garst
and Golden Harvest. For more information on hybrid numbers and
approval status, growers can check Know Before You Grow™ at
www.ncga.com. Information on NCGA’s biotechnology policy can
also be found on the Web site.
The National Corn Growers Association’s mission is to create
and increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents
more than 32,000 members and 46 affiliated state organizations
and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state
checkoff programs. For more information on NCGA, log on to
www.ncga.com. |
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