OHIO CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION ADVISES GROWERS BIOTECH TRAIT LACKS WORLDWIDE APPROVAL

OABA and OCGA to compile list of elevators / feedmills

As the 2007 corn planting season gets under way, the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) is advising growers that Syngenta's Agrisure Rootworm trait (MIR 604) has not received full approval anywhere in the world, most notably Japan, the United States largest export customer. The OCGA's and National Corn Growers Association's biotechnology policy supports events that have received full regulatory approval in the United States and throughout the world.

NCGA's request that Syngenta withhold the release of the Agrisure Rootworm trait was solely based on the current lack of full Japanese approvals. "Our request is consistent with our policy, which addresses customer concerns and protects our traditional markets," said OCGA President Mark Drewes. "OCGA supports commercial release of biotech corn events or combination of events that have received full approval by U.S., Japanese and other foreign regulatory agencies."

At this time every kernel of Agrisure RW MIR 604 must be used domestically. The safest available market is for domestic livestock feed. Ethanol plants are not automatic safe delivery points, as the Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is often exported.

Please contact OABA (614) 326-7520, or Tadd Nicholson, OCGA (740) 360-1228 as soon as possible if your elevator / feed mill is anticipating accepting Agrisure RW this harvest. Doing so will allow us to help growers determine delivery points which are not exposed to export markets.

Should Agrisure MIR 604 be found in the export channels, it has the potential to cause a major market disruption similar to what we've experienced in the past.

Agrisure Rootworm and stacks are carried by NK Brand, Garst and Golden Harvest hybrids.