Where goes wheat, corn is soon to follow.
Maybe this will develop into a revision of the laws protecting Monsanto,
Here is today's big headline in the Oregonian...
OregonLive.com
Eric Mortenson, The Oregonian
May 29, 201
Genetically engineered wheat found in Oregon field, federal investigation underway
Quote:
Illegal genetically-engineered wheat has been discovered
growing in an Eastern Oregon field, which may cause severe marketing
and export problems for one of the state's biggest crops.
State agriculture department Director Katy Coba said 85 to 90 percent
of the Pacific Northwest's soft white wheat crop is exported to Japan, South Korea,
Taiwan and other nations, where it's used to make noodles and crackers.
Oregon's wheat crop is valued at $300 million to $500 million annually, depending on yield and price.
"Clearly there's a concern about market reaction," Coba said.
"Japan and Korea jump out. They do not want genetically-engineered food,
they do not want genetically-engineered wheat.
They could shut off the market to us."<snip>
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It has been picked up by the NY Times...
NY Times
ANDREW POLLACK
May 29, 2013
Modified Wheat Is Discovered in Oregon
Quote:
Unapproved genetically engineered wheat has been found growing on a farm in Oregon
federal officials said Wednesday, a development that could disrupt American exports of the grain.
The Agriculture Department said the wheat was of the type developed by Monsanto
to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup, also known as glyphosate.
Such wheat was field-tested in 16 states, including Oregon, from 1998 through 2005,
but Monsanto dropped the project before the wheat was ever approved for commercial planting.
The department said it was not known yet whether any of the
wheat got into the food supply or into grain shipments.
Even if it did, officials said, it would pose no threat to health.
The Food and Drug Administration reviewed the wheat and found no safety problems with it in 2004.
Still, the mere presence of the genetically modified plant could cause some countries
to turn away exports of American wheat, especially if any traces
of the unapproved grain were found in shipments.
About $8.1 billion in American wheat was exported in 2012,
representing nearly half the total $17.9 billion crop, according to U.S. Wheat Associates,
which promotes American wheat abroad.
About 90 percent of Oregon’s wheat crop is exported.
<snip>
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