low graphics version | feedback | help
|
 The BBC's Tom Carver"The public debate over genetically-modified crops is gathering pace"  real 28k |
GM crop warning for US farmers
Farmers fear prices for GM products will fall next year |
More than 30 farm groups in the United States have told their members they are risking their livelihoods if they plant genetically-modified crops.
|
"Export markets in Europe and Asia are saying 'no' to foods produced from genetically-modified crops and farmers know they have to respond to consumer demand if they are to survive," Gary Goldberg, head of the American Corn Growers Association, said.
 Farmers are moving away from planting GM crops  |
| Gary Goldberg |
"We believe that farmers in mass exodus are moving away from planting GM crops next year," he said.
Two-tier market
The farmers' main concern is that growing consumer demand for traditional seed varieties will create a two-tier market in which GM products will fall in price.
Many US consumers eat GM foods |
Other farmers have said they are concerned about paying premium prices for biotech seeds and then finding they can't sell their crops.
Grain dealer Jerry Bertrand said: "I can't tell them with certainty that I'll take their GM corn and soya next year because I don't know if there'll be a market for it."
Fears of a market impact are nil |
| Val Giddings |
"Fears of a market impact are nil," Val Giddings, vice-president for food and agriculture, said.
He added that numerous independent studies of bio-engineered foods had proved them to be safe.
Massive law suits
The farm groups also warned that inadequate testing of GM seeds could make farmers vulnerable to massive lawsuits if the seeds were later found to have negative environmental effects.
The US has described the EU ban on its modified maize as a "non-tariff barrier" |
Most American consumers eat genetically-modified foods every day - whether wheat, corn, soybeans, cheese or tomatoes.
About 35% of the soybean harvest and 25% of the US corn crop is grown from genetically-engineered seed.
The new, modified varieties were embraced because they offer hardier crops that require fewer chemicals.
But environmental groups such as Greenpeace say they could have unpredictable effects on health and nature.
Some European countries have banned American maize and soya shipments because US authorities cannot guarantee they only contain EU-approved varieties.
The US says this has cost it approximately $200m in maize sales alone over the past two years, and will raise the issue with the World Trade Organisation.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
See also: |
|
 |
|
 |
11 Nov 99 | Americas |
|
US begins GM food debate |
| |
|
|
15 Jul 99 | Sci/Tech |
|
US farmers fear GM crop fallout |
| |
|
|
21 Jun 99 | Sci/Tech |
|
Global GM crop investigation begins |
| |
|
|
19 Aug 99 | Americas |
|
US farmers in GM revolution |
| |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
|
|
|
|
Biothechnology Industry Organisation |
| |
|
|
United States Departement of Agriculture |
| |
|
|
National Centre for Food and Agriculture Policy in the US |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other Americas stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~16~RS~)