Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/5/00
Contacts:
Robert Wisner, Department of Economics, (515) 294-6310,
rwwisner@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
(Sidebar to use with Seed Purchase Alternatives story)
Food Labeling Affects Iowa Crops
AMES, Iowa -- Many Iowa-grown crops will be affected by labeling requirements, such as those that go into effect next year in Korea and Japan. Here are some examples of that changing market, according to Robert Wisner, Iowa State University Extension economist.
* South Korea, our second largest corn export market, announced initial details of a plan to go in effect in March 2001 requiring labeling of raw corn and soybeans by genetic origin, with a 5 percent tolerance level. A processed food labeling plan will follow, for implementation in March 2001.
* Japan's Tokyo Grain Exchange plans to start offering GMO and non-GMO soybean futures contracts for trading in April 2000.
* Japan has a food labeling plan to be implemented in April 2001. A 5 percent tolerance level is expected.
* The European Union, our largest soybean export market and a major soybean meal market (until the last several months), is considering a feed ingredient labeling plan by genetic origin. This is in addition to the already operational food labeling plan that applies to retail food stores, restaurants, food caterers and institutional food providers. Most major food retailers in EU have shifted away from GMO ingredients in processed foods because of consumer demand.
* Trade reports indicate Thailand recently rejected a shipment of U.S. wheat contaminated with GMO corn.
* The United States is reportedly working on a plan to label U.S. food by genetic origin, for use domestically and for submission to the world trade talks.
* Other countries developing food labeling by genetic origin include: Canada, Russia, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
* Several Japanese processors and a Mexican processor indicate they have shifted or soon will shift to non-GMO grain.
* Baby-food companies, Gerber and Heinz, indicate they are or will be making a shift to non-GMO grain also.
* Cargill has issued a statement saying they will accept crops enhanced through modern biotechnology at all of their grain handling, oilseed processing and corn wet milling facilities. Most of Cargill's grain elevators will accept varieties that are approved in the United States, but not yet approved in Europe. Cargill France, however, has announced that they will have a system in place to assure that GMO crops will not reach EU processors.
ml: isufarm
Main release for this sidebar, Seed Purchase Alternatives.
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