Anti-GMO Sentiments Thrive Overseas

Dale McDonald, Rooster News Network -- Friday, October 26, 2001

Early this week I worked my way through about 100 country reports from the
USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS). These reports are written by
attaches based in just about every country with which we have diplomatic
relations, and they contain news and insights and report on trends that
affect commerce in each country.

If you think that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) aren't on every
country's hot list, think again. From Poland to Korea to Australia to
Mexico, GMOs are getting hit with consumer demonstrations, academic
studies, government food labeling orders and outright bans. The issue,
however, has little to do with agricultural production. Action is being
taken because the perceived issue is food safety. Whether it's corn, beans,
potatoes or tomatoes, if consumers eat it they want a voice. And they are
getting it around the world.

Take Japan, the number-one destination for most of America's food exports.
Here's a sampling of what is happening, as reported by the FAS:

Traces of a genetically modified potato, which is approved in the United
States, were discovered in potato chips made by Japan's House Foods. That
brand of chip was pulled off store shelves, and other manufacturers are
considering recalling all chips produced from the same source of potatoes.
A separate food processor began recalling its potato snacks for the same
reason.

Japan's Food Agency decided not to purchase GMO wheat, even if it is
approved for sale in Japan. The reason cited was food safety concerns by
consumers. Earlier this year, Japan's wheat millers said they would not use
GMO wheat. According to the report, "Japan's negative response. . .in the
wake of the StarLink corn issue, highlights the importance of U.S. industry
and government coordination on GMO wheat development, safety assessment,
distribution and commercialization."

Genetically Modified High-Oleic Soybean Oil must now appear on the labels
of all high-oleic-acid soybean oils produced from genetically modified
beans. When Japan's Ministry of Agriculture began requiring GMO labeling
for 24 foods last April, edible oils were excluded from the list because
the introduced DNA would be destroyed during processing. But last month the
agency revised the labeling requirement to include high-oleic soybean oil.

U.S. soybean exports to Japan are expected to decline as soybean users
continue to shift to non-GMO beans from Canada and Brazil. Canada and
Brazil are increasing their market share, while U.S. market share fell from
79% in 1999 to 64% in 2000.