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GM crops Cost US Farmers $NZ2.5 Billion In Lost Exports New Zealanders who advocate a moratorium of all GE research into modified organisms for food have been considered extreme and unlikely to succeed in the `real world'. It is becoming increasingly obvious that the only thing extreme about the campaigners for a GE-Free NZ is their level of understanding and foresight. GM crops are losers. The American Corn Growers Association says growing biotech crops is costing US farmers the NZ equivalent of $2.5 billion in lost markets as consumers around the world shun GM food. It also claims that the whole of the US corn industry is being undermined by the minority who grow GM varieties. The Bad news for gungho biotech delivered by ACGA chief executive Gary Goldberg at a conference in Copenhagen and reinforced on a visit to Britain. Mr Goldberg, who says his views on GM issues are commercially driven, has spoken out because of plummeting American corn exports. He also attacks the "arrogance" of the US government in trying to force GM crops on the world. "What was presented as clear-cut and non-debatable technology that will save farmers money and allow for increases in productivity and efficiency has instead become an albatross round farmers' necks. "These markets will disappear for any farmers with GM crops. Now it seems to be an advantage or a marketing opportunity to have GM-free crops." Mr Goldberg cited trade figures which show declining sales abroad for American corn growers. In 1997-98 the US shipped two million tons of corn to Europe. But last year Europe took only 137,000 tons from America - less than 10 per cent of the previous total. Meanwhile Japan, America's largest corn export market, took 15.8million tons last year but has now demanded that corn for human consumption is GM-free. He claimed the soya bean industry - which in America grows large volumes of GM crops - has suffered similar setbacks with exports to Europe dropping by 44 per cent over two years as shops opt for GM-free supplies from Brazil. "Europe has been a very important market for the US farmer for decades and we are throwing that market away. The reason we are losing our foreign markets is that we have taken a conscious decision to push the planting and export of GM crops. Somewhere we have lost the premise that we should grow what the customer demands." Mr Goldberg claimed his industry was being dictated to by a minority because GM corn accounted for only 25 per cent of all corn grown in the US. Organic farming's Soil Association said British farmers would do well to learn from the experience of their US colleagues. UK Director Patrick Holden said: "There could be no more powerful expression of concern from someone who represents the very heart of America's farming industry. "Any British farmer who has been sitting on the fence over GM issues should take note. That is why it is so important that we keep Britain GM-free." Helena Paul, chairwoman of the Five Year Freeze campaign, said: "What AGCA says is further proof that there should be an immediate five-year freeze on the commercialisation of genetic engineering for food and farming."..
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