Contacts: Geir Friisoe, Director Plant Protection Division 651-201-6174, 651-755-8926 (cell)
Mary Hanks, Biotechnology Specialist 651-201-6277, 651-503-0955 (cell)
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator, 651-201-6131, 651-592-6908 (cell)
MDA Stops Sale of Syngenta GMO Seed
Syngenta Not in Compliance with State Regulations
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has stopped the distribution and sale of a certain rootworm resistant trait present in Syngenta corn seed that is not in compliance with MDA regulations. Farmers who may have purchased Syngenta “Agrisure RW MIR 604” from their seed dealer should NOT plant this seed as it has not been approved for sale in Minnesota. “Agrisure MIR 604” can be found in various rootworm products sold through NK Brands and Garst.
While “Agrisure MIR 604” has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Syngenta did not seek the required regulatory permission to sell the product in Minnesota. Minnesota requires companies to obtain a commercial use exemption before allowing the sale of genetically modified (GMO) seed.
MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson said he is requesting aggressive action by Syngenta to retrieve all the “Agrisure MIR 604” seed that was shipped to and sold in Minnesota. This includes “Agrisure RW MIR 604” that may have been purchased from a dealer in a state other than Minnesota.
Syngenta officials indicate 7,480 units of “Agrisure MIR 604” were distributed to ninety-nine seed dealers in Minnesota. Growers who may have purchased or planted “Agrisure MIR 604” should contact their seed dealer immediately for more information.
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COMMENTS from the Iowa Department of Agriculture
New technology, like corn that is resistant to rootworm, has been a huge benefit to farmers and it is important that We need to continue pursue new technology in a responsible way - if farmers are going to meet their mandate to feed, and now fuel, the world. It’s critical that Iowa farmers understand the restrictions that they will face as they try to market ‘AgriSure™ RW’ this fall and the potential enormous negative effect on our export markets if it is not handled properly.
Since AgriSure™ is currently only approved for domestic use, farmers will be responsible for finding markets that only serve domestic users when marketing their crop this fall. This includes Dried Distillers Grains (DDGs) produced from “AgriSure™ RW”.
A major market disruption would result if “AgriSure™ RW” is found in the export channels or by countries that have not yet approved of its use. Additionally, biotech missteps may lead to additional regulation as well as longer waiting periods in the future for international acceptance.
Syngenta has assured me that they are confident that this event can be introduced without incident and it’s important they are right. Many experts and industry leaders have expressed concerns that Syngenta has rushed this variety to market and we hope those concerns aren’t proved to be justified.
It’s important that farmers pay close attention to the “communication and commitment” form they signed when purchasing the product and to double check to see limitations placed on them by the agreement.
The co-mingling of corn at elevators and the increasing amount of DDGs from ethanol plants that are being exported makes the separation of “AgriSure™” corn from varieties that have been approved for export very difficult.
The rapidly changing ethanol industry is causing companies that haven’t exported corn or DDGs in the past to examine international markets as a possible new destination for these products. As a result, some elevators and ethanol plants that have not exported in the past may be looking to in the future.
The best advice for farmers that have already purchased or planted this variety is for them to contact their elevator or feed mill and to stay in touch with them regularly until they deliver this fall. It’s vitally important for all farmers to understand the restrictions that they will face this fall and are preparing now to deal with them.
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