Seed E-News

December 8, 2006

Welcome to ASTA's electronic newsletter for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to subscribe. ASTA respects your privacy and does not share its mail lists with other parties. If you have received this publication in error, you may unsubscribe at the end of this page. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Lisa Dry.

Past issues can be viewed here .

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Reuters Coverage of CSS Meeting
Biotech seen doubling U.S. corn yields by 2030

ASTA CSS & Seed Expo 2006 a Success

More than 2,400 attendees from 23 countries registered for the 61st Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference (CSS) and Seed Expo 2006, which ended today in Chicago. Attendees participated in four days of committee meetings, educational sessions, and an exhibit floor with more than 100 companies displaying their products. A meeting recap will be included in the December/January issue of INSIDE ASTA, with conference proceedings available by early February.

New York Farm Bureau Rejects Liability Resolution
ASTA members and staff attended the New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) meeting held this week in Albany. More than 350 delegates and guests met to vet state and national policy. Of interest to the seed industry were new resolutions included in the Agricultural Biotechnology state policy section that addressed seed labeling and liability. One resolution of note stated: “We support legislation that would enable farmers to sue seed manufacturers when their crops have lost marketability due to GEO [Genetically Engineered Organism] contamination.” A member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA- NY) argued for adoption as necessary to protect organic farmers from contamination. Ritchie Lent, operations manager for Seedway and a Yates County Farm Bureau delegate argued the resolution was not necessary as farmers have every right to sue seed manufacturers right now under existing law if they have been harmed. After debate the resolution was defeated 73-61. Later efforts to re-open the Agricultural Biotechnology Section were defeated in a 60-71 motion.

A seed labeling resolution was adopted, stating: “We recommend that biotech seed labeling requirements for New York State should not be different from federal labeling requirements, as long as all seeds continue to be labeled.” This language should direct NYFB to oppose any special NY legislation on seed labeling.

In addition to Lent, Seedway’s Don Wertman, Monsanto’s Kim Morin, and ASTA Regional Vice President Wayne Gale of Stokes Seeds, along with staff member Leslie Cahill, were in attendance or lending support. ASTA was also a sponsor and exhibitor at the meeting. For more information contact Leslie Cahill.

Attention ASTA Management Academy Alumni
For individuals who have attended the ASTA Management Academy, the ASTA Alumni Institute is the next step in the management development series for seed industry professionals. Registrations are now being accepted for the February 13 - 15, 2007 program to be held on the Purdue University campus. For more information, visit the web page or contact Betty S. Jones.

Seed Availability Information Requested
ASTA has been asked by the Academy for Educational Development (AED), a non-profit agency in Washington, D.C., to inquire whether Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena trichandra seeds are available in the U.S. AED is conducting a program in collaboration with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) to implement an agricultural project in Kenya to introduce these varieties to small- holder farmers. If you have any information on the status of availability of these seed types in the U.S., please contact Alexis Ellicott.

Dr. Norman Borlaug Receives Congressional Honor
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to award Dr. Norman Borlaug the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian honor. A native of Iowa, a World Food Prize winner and Nobel Laureate, he is credited with being the father of “the Green Revolution.” Dr. Borlaug has been recognized as saving more than a billion lives through his work in increasing agricultural production. For more details and links to other news releases and Dr. Borlaug’s accomplishments, visit the World Food Prize Web site. Dr. Borlaug has been a featured speaker at past ASTA conferences

Consumer Awareness of Biotech Foods Remains Low
Public awareness and understanding of genetically modified (GM) foods remains relatively low and consumers' opinions about the foods are as divided now as they were five years ago, according to a new survey released this week by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. The survey also shows that regulation may increase confidence in biotech foods and reveals that animal cloning causes great discomfort among American consumers. The announcement of survey findings marks the fifth year that the Pew Initiative has monitored public understanding of and support for different types of biotechnology. The complete results can be viewed here. Results from past surveys are available here.

This fall the International Food Information Council released a poll that found despite low awareness, consumers believe they will benefit from foods improved through biotechnology.

Company News and People on the Move
The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center seeks an Executive Director; position description can be viewed here.

Upcoming Industry Events

Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association Future Trade Show
12/11 - 12/14
Double Tree Riverside
Boise, ID

Minnesota Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting
1/7 - 1/9
Jackpot Junction, MN

American Farm Bureau Annual Convention
1/7 - 1/10
Salt Lake City, UT

Click here for a schedule of additional industry events