----- Original Message -----
From: Bobby King <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 4:09 PM
Subject: GE PRESS RELEASE
Final Copy of the press release.
Feel free to send it to anyone you want to.
----------
AD CAMPAIGN URGES FARMERS TO AVOID GENETICALLY
ENGINEERED CROPS AND GO WITH CONVENTIONAL SEED
Note to editors: This press release is available electronically at
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org. From the press release you can
access an electronic version of the advertisement.
Ad campaign warns GE crops may be shrinking international markets
Contact: Jim Riddle (507) 454-8310
Bobby King (507) 523-3366
Lewiston, MN - The Farmer to Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering in
Agriculture of which the Land Stewardship Project is a founding member
launched a campaign addressing farmers' concerns about planting genetically
engineered (GE) crops. In a print and radio ad blitz targeting Minnesota
and other key Midwestern states, the campaign is urging farmers to look at
the declining export markets for GE crops before making final planting
decisions this spring.
The campaign is encouraging farmers to consider the impact GE crops will
have on export markets and to call 1-800-639-FARM to get more information on
GE crops. The ad campaign targets corn and soybean farmers in Minnesota as
well as Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota. The campaign is a
grassroots effort that is intended to provide balanced information on
genetic engineering from a farmer perspective.
Land Stewardship Project member Jim Riddle who participated in founding the
Farmer to Farmer Campaign said that providing farmers with a non-industry
perspective on genetic engineering is critical at this time. "Family
farmers are seeing overseas markets shrink partly because of genetically
engineered seed. Prices are already low and these market declines can only
do more harm. The Farmer to Farmer Campaign is encouraging farmers to
consider this problem when they buy their seed this spring."
The ads highlight recent negative market developments brought on by GE
crops, including:
The Agriculture Department recently lowered its forecast of corn exports for
the marketing year by 90 million bushels, a cut private analysts say is
largely due to the impact of the contamination of the corn crop by the
genetically modified corn Starlink (Des Moines Register: February 25, 2001)
Projected U.S. corn exports are reduced because some importers, especially
Japan, are expected to minimize purchases of varieties of corn not approved
for some, or all, uses. (USDA WASDE: March 8, 2001)
Brazil has won its first contract to supply Spain with 150,000 tons of
non-GMO corn. They sold it at a 15-cent premium. In 1999, we lost $200
million in sales of corn to Spain and Portugal alone. A leader of a
Brazilian cooperative said Brazil may export GMO-free corn to Japan.
(Reuters)
Europe is buying non-GMO soybeans. From 1995-2000, the US has lost 14.3% of
its export market share in soybeans, while Brazil's market share has
climbed 10.7% (USDA PS&D Database)
As of the third week in February, the combined total of accumulated U.S.
corn exports and outstanding U.S. corn export sales to Japan is 65 million
bushels less then at this time last year. (USDA- FASonline, U.S. Export
Sales as of 2/22/2001)
The Farmer-to-Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture is a
collaborative effort among family farm organizations to promote the farmer
perspective on genetic engineering in agriculture. The campaign works to
bring the family farmer voice to development of policies related to genetic
engineering in agriculture. In November 1999, over thirty farm groups
endorsed the Farmer's Declaration on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture, an
initial effort of the campaign. Besides the Land Stewardship Project groups
involved in the media effort are Dakota Rural Action, Illinois Stewardship
Alliance, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, and Missouri Rural Crisis
Center.
MEDIA:
To tape a copy of the radio ads, call Maria Levey at January Communications
after 1 p.m. at (703) 418-2060. A radio actuality is also available at the
same number. The print advertisement is available in the latest issues of
Agri News, The Land and the Farmer.
Note to editors: This press release is available electronically at
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org. From the press release you can
access an electronic version of the advertisement.
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