JOHNSTON —The Iowa Corn Growers Association urges farmers and handlers to adhere to the stewardship program for the release of Syngenta seed trait Agrisure Duracade to minimize the risk of export trade disruption and negative impacts on the market price. €¨Â€¨
While approved in the United States, Agrisure Duracade hasn't been approved in the European Union and China.
Leakage of Agrisure Duracade into export channels risks the rejection of U.S. shipments and may potentially close the markets to U.S. exports entirely.
Syngenta has started an introductory launch of Agrisure Duracade for the 2014 season and will work closely with growers to identify appropriate marketing options. Syngenta has entered into a partnership with Gavilon, to pick up and purchase any Agrisure Duracade corn for which an alternative approved buyer can't be found.
"Iowa Corn is monitoring this situation very closely and is ready to provide further information as needed," said Roger Zylstra, a farmer from Lynnville and ICGA president. "Stewardship guidelines provide multiple options for grain marketing to include shipping corn to appropriate domestic elevators, feed mills, feed lots and some ethanol plants."۬
ADVERTISEMENT
€¨"It's important for all sectors of the value chain — individual farmers, technology providers, shippers and exporters alike — to recognize the potentially significant international implications of their actions," said Tom Sleight, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council.
Given the availability of competitively priced corn from other countries and the ability of buyers to source anywhere in the world, leakage of unapproved events into export channels may result in the closure of important markets to U.S. corn and DDGS exports for an indefinite period. ۬
۬"Continued technology development is essential to achieve global food security as well as creating new opportunities for producers and agribusiness but the risk of costly trade disruption is significant and should be taken seriously," said Zylstra.۬
For more information, visit iowacorn.org/kbyg. ۬
