www.raupp.info

Mexican officials are holding U.S. rice imports at the border and
requiring certification o conclusively show that the rice is not
contaminated with genetically engineered variety LLRICE601, March 2007.


Mexico joins other U.S. rice markets such as Europe and Japan in
putting measures in place to stop genetically engineered rice from
crossing their borders. Mexico is currently the largest export market
for U.S. rice, with $205 million worth in exports in 2006.

The precautionary measures come in response to the contamination of
conventionally grown rice with LLRICE601, a genetically engineered
variety developed by Bayer CropScience.

The USA Rice Federation is in contact with the U.S. embassy in Mexico
City in relation to the border closing.

The actions mark Mexico's first precautionary measures on the import of
genetically engineered food.


www.ckeckbiotech.org