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Farmer Leaders Recognize Planting of
One-Billionth Biotech Acre
May 9, 2005...Chicago, Illinois... Farmer
leaders from the American Soybean Association (ASA), the
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Cotton
Council (NCC) met in Chicago today to recognize the planting of the
one-billionth acre of biotech-enhanced agricultural commodities.
Representatives from Truth About Trade and Technology (TATT)
were also on hand to talk about an acreage counter that is being
used to track the planting of biotech acres around the
world.
"U.S. farmers are adopting biotechnology
because they recognize the safety, benefits and potential of
biotechnology," said Darrin Ihnen, a South Dakota farmer
who serves as Chairman of NCGA’s Biotechnology Working Group.
"As a farmer, it’s important that I find ways to become
more efficient in my operation. Biotechnology helps reduce the
amount of insecticides and herbicides I use."
Biotechnology also results in less soil
erosion, less fuel emissions and less herbicide carryover, which
provides for healthier groundwater, rivers and streams.
"The one billionth acre of biotech crops
has been planted and I’m thrilled that we are acknowledging
this milestone," states Dean Kleckner, an Iowa farmer and
Chairman of TATT. "The astonishing speed with which farmers
from around the world have adopted this technology is
significant."
Given the world’s growing population, the
United Nations Population Fund reports that farmers will have to
produce about 75 percent more food per acre by 2020 to meet
anticipated demand.
"Farmers are both producers and
consumers of the food and fiber that comes from our farms,"
said Neal Bredehoeft, a Missouri farmer who serves as ASA
President. "This dual position helps us recognize that
biotechnology is another in a long line of advancements that
have helped make our supply of food and fiber the safest and
healthiest in the world."
Globally, 6 percent of canola, 11 percent of cotton, 23
percent of corn and 60 percent of soybeans are grown from
biotech-enhanced seedstock.
“I'm looking forward to the next generation of biotech products'
traits to enhance fiber quality, improve food safety, impart
stress tolerance to plants and allow plants to grow in saline
soils,” said Craig Shook, a Texas cotton producer who serves as
NCC Secretary-Treasurer.
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For more information contact:
Bob Callanan, ASA Communications Director, 314-576-1770,
bcallanan@soy.org
Mimi Ricketts, NCGA Communications Director, 636-733-9004,
ricketts@ncga.com
Marjory Walker, NCC Director, Communication, Production and
Audio Visual Services,
901-274-9030, mwalker@cotton.org |
