REMEMBER: ROUNDUP READY CORN MUST BE SEGREGATED August 29, 2001 Agweb News Julianne Johnston http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_200182911 24_5112&articleID=78898&newscat=GN In some areas of the southern Corn Belt, producers have already begun harvest efforts, and before you know it, harvest will hit the bulk of the Belt. Now is the time to gear up for harvest, making sure all plans are in place if segregation is a requirement for your operation. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) says that situation applies to Roundup Ready corn. The product has not been approved in all export markets, therefore, must be handled appropriately, making sure itıs channeled into an approved market. Roundup Ready corn is approved in the U.S. and Japan, but has not received approval in the EU. ³Our intent is to protect Iowaıs farmers and the corn industry,² said Ron McCartney, member of the Iowa Corn Biotech Task Force. ³We simply canıt afford to have any more market disruptions. Farmers and grain handlers must all work together to keep unapproved products out of export channels.² ICGA says the key is communication. ³We encourage dialogue,² said McCartney. ³There must be open, honest communications between growers and grain merchandisers. Thatıs why the ICGA recommends that farmers who planted Roundup Ready corn contact their local elevator or grain handler now, prior to combines rolling, to confirm they have a place to take their crop.² Additional responsibility McCartney says growers who planted Roundup Ready corn took on additional responsibility when they planted the product in the spring. ³Now, they need to live up to their grower agreements and segregate their crop,² he says. ³The integrity of the U.S. corn supply and our relationships with foreign buyers depend on it.² McCartney says he respects whatever decision producers make in relation to their spring planting decisions. But stresses producer must be responsible for their actions. ³Farmers who chose to plant it need to be extremely diligent about getting their corn to an appropriate market. They have to take responsibility for their decision and be accountable,² he said. Despite the current concern about the export limitations of Roundup Ready corn, ICGA remains a strong supporter of biotechnology. The organization feels that biotechnology offers agronomic and environmental benefits and that it holds great promise for the future of agriculture and our society as a whole. Furthermore, ICGA does not want its concern about Roundup Ready corn to be misconstrued. Corn leaders say it is a useful product, fully approved in the U.S. and Japan and clearly in demand. However, they recognize that if this valuable tool is mismanaged (i.e. gets into unapproved markets) growers could lose the confidence of foreign customers and jeopardize access to this and other new technology down the road.