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ASA and ISA team up to deliver inaugural biotech roundtable
Aug. 18, 2014
The American Soybean Association (ASA) and the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) teamed up in Washington this week to bring together more than 100 farmers, researchers, leaders of agricultural organizations and federal officials to discuss the worldwide benefits of agricultural biotechnology, focusing on acceleration of government approval of biotech seed for soybeans and other crops.
This D.C. Biotechnology Roundtable is the latest in a series of forums ISA has organized to help advance a more science-based biotech approval process and to reinforce the proven safety of agricultural biotechnology, which farmers use to enhance the yields and quality of soybeans and other crops.
"It is critical that agriculture let policymakers and regulators in Washington know how much farmers need biotechnology to sustainably produce food for the world’s population. Scientists and regulatory agencies have established that agricultural biotechnology is safe for humans, animals and the environment. It is crucial science that helps farmers use less resources to produce more food," says Bill Raben, soybean farmer from Ridgway, Ill., and ISA chairman.
Darci Vetter, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative delivered the keynote address. David Zilberman from University of California said that approvals for new biotechnology traits for soybean seed can take 10-15 years, pushing costs as high as $160 million to commercialize new biotechnology.
A panel of farmers shared examples of the value of biotechnology and the need for collaboration across agriculture and government to make biotech crops available to farmers and food companies. The farmers emphasized that biotechnology should be viewed as a viable choice for those who see its benefits including consumers and farmers.
While hosted by ISA and ASA, the meeting was sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, Dow AgroScience, the New York Corn & Soybean Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council and etc.
Source: ASA News Releases
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