April 27, 2000 / Reuters / Julie Ingwersen
CHICAGO -- Japan's decision to formalize certain voluntary restrictions on
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is, according to this story, not
expected to have a major impact on U.S. grain exports.
University of Illinois agricultural economist Darrel Good was cited as
saying he did not expect the policy change would greatly restrict grain
shipments to Japan from the United States, adding, "The expectation is it
probably will not have any adverse effect on U.S. exports. There is always a
question whether additional regulations will be added, but for the time
being, I don't think this represents a change."
Nonetheless, the story says that the move was not seen as a good sign for
U.S. farmers, whose once-booming enthusiasm for GMO crops has been jolted in
the past year by consumer protests, calls for more testing of the effects of
GMOs, and demands to label and separate GMO crops.
Economist Rich Pottorf of Doane Agricultural Services Co., a consultant to
U.S. farmers, was quoted as saying, "This is yet another stumbling block to
trade in biotech products. The damage is not clear, but clearly it's not a
positive development."
Japan's Health Ministry on Tuesday moved to require suppliers to provide
proof that GMO foods meet ministry safety standards. Such assurances have
been voluntary thus far. But as of April 2001, foods that fail to meet the
safety requirement will be banned.
A spokeswoman for Cargill Inc., one of the world's largest grain shippers,
was cited as having no immediate comment on the ruling, saying the company
was awaiting word from its staff in Japan.
Susan Keith of the National Corn Growers Association was quoted as saying,
"There are various questions about the penalties that are associated with
questionable shipments, and I think that's going to be something that has to
be handled very carefully. Japan has the right to insist on approval, but
they will want to handle that in a way that does not disrupt trade."
A U.S. Department of Agriculture source said on Wednesday that the
ministry's decision merely formalized a policy already in place that is
generally accepted by developers of GMOs.
Traders in Japan also downplayed the decision, describing it as a way to
placate Japanese consumers, some of whom have questioned the safety of
supermarket foods containing GMOs.
(posted without permission)
