Ethanol Blog

A group of Iowa agriculture leaders and members of the corn industry recently traveled to China to try and ease fears over U.S.-produced genetically-engineered corn, according to an article from the Mason City Globe Gazette (http://bit.ly/…).

The delegation met with Chinese officials and ag leaders to help disprove misconceptions about genetically-engineered corn, after China rejected shipments of U.S. corn and distillers grains in December for containing the MIR 162 trait.

The U.S. team explained how important biotechnology is to supply food and for food security, as well as how genetically-engineered crops result in improved yields.

Bill Northey, Iowa's agriculture secretary, said "China itself has bought gobs and gobs of U.S. soybeans, and all those are biotech. All the corn we've shipped has been biotech. But they're really starting to grow as a corn buyer."

The Chinese representatives indicated a willingness to work with international suppliers and said they are considering changing their classifications of food security and will be looking to other countries to provide the food the country requires.

With the U.S. Grains Council continuing their efforts in China, members of the U.S. delegation said they left China feeling optimistic and improved relations and trade.

Cheryl Anderson can be reached at Cheryl.anderson@dtn.com.

(CZ)

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