Syngenta's new GM corn rejected by ADM

~ ~
syngenta's new GM corn rejected by ADM

2014-02-24 09:32 |
source: China Grain Network

foreign media news on February 21: ADM, the world's major grain merchant, said on Friday that ADM will not accept crops containing this genetically modified corn until major importing countries approve the new genetically modified corn produced by Xianzheng (Syngenta).

ADM said it would not accept any corn containing Agrisure Duracade ingredients for domestic processing or export. Earlier, Cargill and Bunge also said they would refuse to handle the genetically modified corn.

After the U.S. government approved Duracade genetically modified corn from Syngenta last year, this year the corn went on sale in the United States for the first time for spring planting. But neither China nor the European Union has approved the import of this genetically modified corn.

For now, we reserve the right to test corn delivered by farmers and reject corn containing Duracade genetically modified ingredients, said Jackie Anderson, an ADM spokeswoman.

The U.S. government's approval of the commercial sale of Duracade has divided the U.S. agriculture industry and global grain merchants. Some U.S. growers have expressed a willingness to plant the new variety of corn that can fight root disease, but exporters have warned that the genetically modified corn, which is not approved by China and the European Union, could hinder U.S. corn exports.

Last week, Cargill said it would not accept any corn containing Duracade for export contracts. Bunge also said it would not handle the corn until major overseas importers approved the Duracade.

Critics of genetically modified crops point out that such crops lead to pesticide abuse, pose a harm to the environment, and that the food produced can be harmful to people.
Since November last year, China has returned more than 600,000 tons of U.S. corn and manufactured goods due to the detection of unapproved Agrisure Viptera genetically modified corn, also known as MIR162 corn, from these shipments.

The National Grain Feed Association (NGFA) and the North American Export Grain Association sent a letter to Syngenta last month asking the company to suspend commercial sales of Duracade and MIR162 genetically modified corn pending approval in China and other export markets. But Syngenta rejected the request. A spokesman for Syngenta said planting of GM corn could reach 700000 acres in Duracade. However, the NGFA estimates that no more than 300000 acres will be planted.

The United States planted 95.4 million acres of corn in 2013. Exporters said that even if Duracade corn is only planted on a small scale, it is still possible to "accidentally" export to China, because the fields of genetically modified corn are very close to other corn fields, and it is easy to mix with other corn in harvesting, transportation and storage. (Source: Game Master)