May 30, 2003
Biotechnology: Science and Society at a Crossroad

Sustainable Agriculture Advocates Question Biotechnology as the Future of Food Production

SEATTLE—Who benefits from the commercialization of genetically-modified foods? What are the long-term impacts of a genetically-modified food supply? Sustainable agriculture advocates and others will raise these and other critical questions at this year's National Agriculture Biotechnology Council (NABC) conference June 1-3 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle.

"We are very concerned about the impacts of the widespread commercialization of genetically-modified (GM) crops on farmers, the environment, the economy and society," said Bonnie Rice, Director of the Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network (WSFFN), a statewide advocacy organization for sustainable agriculture and family farms in Washington state. "No research has been done on the long-term impacts of these crops on the farming industry, environment or public health, yet the biotechnology industry and the U.S. government are aggressively pushing GM crops onto the market," said Rice, referring to the Bush administration's filing of a World Trade Organization case last week against the European Union for their moratorium on new GM crops.

WSFFN and others point to the many problems that have arisen from GM crops such as corn, soybeans and canola: contamination of organic and non-GM fields, resulting in loss of market for non-GM crop farmers; creation of herbicide resistant weeds; higher seed costs for farmers, farmer (vs. industry) liability for contamination, restrictions on farmers' rights to save seed and increased herbicide use. Additionally, they point to the lack of independent and substantial research on the economic, human health and societal impacts of GM crops, and increased corporate control of the food supply by Monsanto and other biotechnology companies.

Wheat, one of Washington state's main export commodities, is next on the biotechnology industry's list for genetic modification for herbicide resistance. Monsanto plans to commercialize GM wheat in the United States by 2005. However, Washington's key wheat export markets in Asia and Europe have become increasingly vocal about their opposition to GM wheat, many saying that they will not buy it. Commercialization of GM wheat could mean many of Washington's 5,000 wheat farmers could lose their market even if they don't grow GM wheat, as contamination can happen at many points in the chain between wheat production and distribution. Washington's wheat crop was valued at $442 million in 2001. GM wheat is now being field tested in five counties in Washington state.

Opposition to GM wheat has grown dramatically over the past year. Several bills have been introduced in the legislatures of wheat-producing states in the U.S. to slow or stop the commercialization of GM wheat until the economic and environmental impacts have been evaluated. Last week the Canadian Wheat Board asked Monsanto to withdraw its application for regulatory approval of GM wheat on the grounds that the risk to Canada's wheat markets was too great. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the Washington Wheat Commission oppose commercialization of GM wheat due to potential market loss concerns.

"Commercialization of GM wheat anywhere in the United States would have serious consequences for Washington farmers, since 85% of our wheat production is exported, primarily to Asian countries whose governments, millers, bakers and citizens have taken a strong stand against GM wheat," said Rice. "We need to take a precautionary approach and evaluate this technology in an open and democratic process before any more GM crops are allowed on the market, particularly a major food crop such as wheat. Additionally, we need to compare and consider alternatives, including sustainable agriculture, in determining what the future of agriculture should be in this country."

WSFFN worked with NABC institutional hosts Washington State University and Oregon State University to add a final module to the conference, "Caution at the Crossroads: Evaluating Paths to Assure Sustainability in Agriculture" to foster critical thinking and discussion about biotechnology and what represents the best path for the future of food production.

CONTACT:
Bonnie Rice, Director, Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network
(360) 527-9426, info~at~wsffn.org

For more information on the NABC conference, visit the web site at: www.cals.cornell.edu/extension/nabc/events.html