US lobby says world not ready for GMO wheat

Mon Jun 6, 2005 1:40 AM ET

The United States is the leading producer of biotech crops, with gene-spliced 
varieties accounting for more than 75 percent of U.S. soybeans, and 35 percent 
of corn. Peterson said U.S. industry would be closely watching China, which is 
aiming to commercialize the word's first genetically modified rice as early as 
this year.

Flour millers in Japan, U.S.'s biggest wheat customer, have said they will not 
import GMO wheat. The United States supplies a little more than half of the six 
million tonnes of wheat a year imported by Japan.

"It's not that Japan will buy GMO wheat tomorrow. But Japan is a bit more 
friendly to at least discussions on GMO wheat, compared with what they were 
five or six years ago. The attitude is changing but very slowly."

U.S. wheat trade officials attending the conference warned any move to push it 
aggressively could help Australia and other supplies snatch some key U.S. 
customers.

But he believes GMO wheat will be needed sooner or later. "Wheat is losing 
acreage to commodities like corn and soybeans which are more resistant to drought 
and erratic weather. Probably, GMO wheat is the only way out."