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Canadian, Australian and US farm groups want biotech wheat

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Australia, Canada and USA
May 14, 2009

The Grain Growers of Canada, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association and the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission announce that they have reached an accord with Australian and US wheat producers on the need for the synchronized introduction of biotech wheat.

“Wheat acreage in Canada is in danger of declining even more unless we see innovation in plant breeding,” said Doug Robertson, President of the Grain Growers. “As farmers we will switch acres into those crops which have the best return. In recent years, we have seen wheat yields stagnate in comparison to canola, corn and soybeans.”

The application of biotechnology in wheat research could lead to the development of several traits to improve wheat yields and wheat quality. Traits to improve yields could include those that deal with environmental factors (e.g. drought, cold tolerance), combat weed or insect infestations (e.g. midge, sawfly), improve disease resistance (e.g. fusarium, rust) or improve the wheat plant’s utilization of nutrients. Traits to improve the quality attributes of wheat could include those that are designed to accommodate consumers with food allergies, reduce obesity, or improve the nutritional profile of wheat-based foods.

“Prairie farmers and consumers around the globe have benefitted tremendously from the development of biotech traits in canola,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers. “Using the same tools in wheat could improve yields, increase farm profits and better meet the needs of future consumers.”

Wheat acreage in western Canada has declined significantly over the past two decades, in part due to its declining profitability (relative to canola and other crops) and increased competition from wheat producers in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Argentina.

“Being early adopters of new biotech traits in wheat could help restore our competitive advantage,” says Kent Erickson, Chairman of the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission.

“Coordinating our efforts with farmers in other leading-edge countries will ensure Canadian wheat producers are not left behind and instead are among the first to take advantage of this technology.”

Canadian growers are working with American and Australia farmers to ensure the commercial introduction of biotech traits in wheat will proceed smoothly by synchronizing regulatory approvals in exporting and importing nations.

Given the time frame of six to eight years for new biotech wheat varieties to reach commercial introduction, it is critical to signal both seed developers and policymakers now, that many farmers are eager to see biotech traits in wheat that could improve their profitability and improve food security for many countries around the world.


 

Joint international statement

Wheat Biotechnology Commercialization
Statement of Canadian, American and Australian Wheat Organizations
May 14, 2009

In the interest of expressing support for more efficient, sustainable and profitable production of wheat around the world, the undersigned organizations have approved the following joint statement concerning commercialization of biotechnology in wheat:

  1. Wheat is a vital food to all peoples of the world and we believe that by developing higher yielding better quality wheat varieties we can better supply the world with wheat food products.
  2. One important tool to help feed the world into the future is biotechnology. Basic agronomic
    improvements to wheat like strengthening disease and insect resistance, enhancing wheat's use of soil nutrients and water, increasing its tolerance to weather extremes like drought and frost, are all possible with biotechnology. Another critical area for biotechnology is to improve the nutritional aspects of wheat to facilitate healthier living for people all over the world. Biotechnology is not the only answer to these questions, but it will be a significant component in solutions.
  3. In many of our production areas, wheat production is under pressure from competing crops which, through the application of biotechnology, have achieved higher productivity, reduced input use, and other benefits not available in wheat. As a result, the historic area of wheat production has declined in many areas and economics are driving producers away from wheat and into other crops if they have alternatives. If wheat continues on a non-biotech course, then farmers will continue to devote a greater share of their acreage to biotech crops, where profitability is relatively greater, resulting in lower world wheat production than would otherwise be the case.
  4. In general, wheat yields are on a very slow growth trend in comparison with competing crops, and the longer it takes to increase the growth rate the bigger will be the hole from which the industry must climb.
  5. Biotechnology is a proven technique to deploy traits of interest with a high degree of precision in agricultural crops. Crops derived through biotechnology are subjected to strict regulatory scrutiny before commercialization. Over 10 years of global experience with biotechnology has demonstrated a convincing record of safety and environmental benefits as well as quality and productivity gains.
  6. Lack of private and public investment in wheat research has left wheat development behind the advances in competing commodity crops, and has also led to a shortage of scientific expertise in wheat research generally. By providing an opportunity for private companies, the level of activity in wheat research will expand and attract a new generation of scientists into the field.

In light of these resolutions, we will work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in our wheat crops. While none of us hold a veto over the actions of others, we believe it is in all of our best interests to introduce biotech wheat varieties in a coordinated fashion to minimize market disruptions and shorten the period of adjustment. We are also committed to working with other stakeholders to address their needs and concerns as we travel the road to commercialization.

USA

National Association of Wheat Growers
U.S. Wheat Associates
North American Millers’ Association

Canada

Grain Growers of Canada
Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association
Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission

Australia

Grains Council of Australia
Grain Growers Association
Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia Inc.

 

 

World wheat groups say biotech in sync is the goal

 

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