For the first time ever, corn growers, industry officials, government representatives and academia gathered June 30 and July 1 in Kansas City, Mo., to discuss biotechnology, enhance understanding of each stakeholder's position and lay a foundation of mutual cooperation.

Coordinated by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the industry roundtable drew
about 160 representatives from all segments of the corn industry, as well as participants from France, Canada and Japan.

"Realizing that this is an overwhelmingly complex issue, it would be impossible to create a plan of action after only one meeting,'' said NCGA President Roger Pine of Lawrence, Kansas. "However, we have begun the process and identified strategies that will allow us to work towards better managing the complex issue of bio-enhanced corn products.''

Prior to the roundtable, the NCGA Task Force Committee, representing the four NCGA Corn
Action Teams and made up of chairman Lynn Jensen, Lake Preston, South Dakota, Scott Wall, Yuma, Colorado, Ron McCartney, Elgin, Iowa, and Ken McCauley, White Cloud, Kansas, identified five specific objectives:

• Determine the current status of genetically enhanced corn and its marketability
• Secure the U.S. position as a reliable supplier of corn in a global market
• Discuss technology transfer and risk allocation
• Evaluate worldwide approval of transgenic crops
• Discuss the future of new technologies awaiting

During roundtable breakout sessions, participants discussed the impact of biotechnology on four
sectors of the corn complex: Those sectors and issues that emerged were:

• Corn Technology Input
  The group developed three action steps:
  - developing strategies for a variety of audience;
  - continuing to rally industry, growers and government officials; and
  - encouraging regulatory agencies to speak up and become a greater advocate for the U.S. regulatory process.
• Grain Merchandising and Export
  - This group addressed the issue of consumer acceptance and risk management in regard to biotechnology.
  - Participants felt standards should be developed to clarify roles and responsibilities
• Livestock Feeding and Meat
  - It was discussed that studies are being conducted, however, participants felt more joint collaboration is needed on future research regarding both technology and customer interest.
• Food and Food Ingredients
  - The number one goal developed by this group was to strengthen consumer confidence in the safety and benefits of biotechnology.
  - There was a commitment to work together on this very issue.

"The NCGA understands our universal interdependence and commits to remaining engaged on
management of this issue with all industry stakeholders, collaboratively, sharing resources to achieve results regarding biotechnology that are favorable to U.S. agriculture,'' said Pine.

Company news release
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