Sixteen agricultural organizations in the U.S., Canada and Australia have publicly endorsed the use of biotechnology in wheat to make the cereal more competitive with other crops. Half of the organizations involved — including the National Association of Wheat Growers, U.S. Wheat Associates and the North American Millers’ Association in the U.S. — had signed a similar pledge five years ago.
NAWG spokesman Will Stafford said the nine original participants worked for the better part of a year recruiting new organizations, bringing the coalition to 16 groups, and devising wording they could all support. New U.S. groups include the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union.
“We’re very happy to welcome the two major umbrella farm organizations on the U.S. side,” Stafford said.
Other new additions include: Canadian National Millers Association, Cereals Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, AgForce Queensland, Victorian Farmers Federations Grains Group and Grain Producers of South Australia.
Stafford emphasized the pledge also supports science-based regulatory systems, following proper regulatory processes and maintaining customer choice. “Hopefully, it sends a clear message to investors that our farmers are very willing to accept biotechnology and it spurs even more investment and innovation in wheat, not just in biotechnology but innovation in general,” Stafford said.
Read the full, original article: More agricultural groups endorse GMO wheat
