December 8, 1999
Our farm and food industry customers are asking about Cargill’s
policy on genetically enhanced crops. The questions are understandable given the
speculation and confusion in the marketplace today. The answer is simple: Cargill will
accept crops enhanced through modern biotechnology at all of our grain handling, oilseed
processing and corn wet milling facilities.
As it has since the first genetically enhanced crops were commercialized in 1996, Cargill
will continue to accept and market genetically enhanced crops, conventionally bred crops
and specialty grains. For crops planted in 1999 and 2000, all Cargill grain elevators will
accept genetically enhanced corn and soybean varieties that have been approved for use in
the United States and Europe. Our standard grain contracts with producers will confirm
that we will accept those varieties at our daily posted bids for immediate cash sales as
well as for forward pricing. The same will be available for no-price-established forward
contracts.
In addition, most Cargill grain elevators will accept varieties that are approved in the
United States, but not yet approved in Europe. Producers should check with their local
Cargill AgHorizons service center for information on varieties that have not yet been
approved in the EU. If farmers will be delivering those varieties to our service centers,
we ask them to notify us so we can channel them into appropriate markets.
Cargill’s oilseed processing plants will accept all EU-approved soybeans, which to
date are only
Roundup Ready varieties. Cargill corn wet milling plants will accept all EU-approved corn
varieties.
The wet corn mills cannot accept the handful of varieties that have not yet been approved
in the EU, but will work with farmers to channel those crops to a proper destination.
For the most part, it’s business as usual. Enhanced and nonenhanced grains are
flowing together into the marketplace in the huge volumes that make commodity grain
handling such an efficient and low-cost system. If opportunities develop to serve premium
markets for identity-preserved grains and oilseeds that meet specific customer
requirements, we will work with farmers and our customers to realize them. That may
include niche markets for nongenetically enhanced grains and oilseeds, which cost more to
keep separate from commodity grains and today are a very small part of the market.
Producers should contact their local Cargill AgHorizons service center, corn mill or
oilseed processing plant to learn about potential opportunities to serve premium markets
for identity-preserved grains and oilseeds. Cargill also is committed to serving the needs
of its food and feed manufacturing customers with the full range of grains and oilseeds on
the market today.
In fact, Cargill has supported farmers’ desires to plant and market genetically
enhanced crops since the first enhanced soybean and corn varieties were approved and
commercialized in the United States in 1996. Cargill’s overall business goal is to
raise living standards by creating distinctive value for the people we serve – and
agricultural biotechnology is a powerful tool in achieving that vision. The genetically
enhanced crops grown commercially throughout the world today have been thoroughly
researched and reviewed in the United States and other countries and found safe for
people, animals and the environment. As important, they offer many benefits to farmers,
the environment and consumers -- and we have just begun to scratch the surface of this
promising new technology. We plan to work with farmers and our food and feed customers to
bring more of those benefits to market. Company
news release
N2308 |
