www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

By being innovative and progressive, California has remained the leading
agricultural state in the nation for more than 60 years. Our belief in the
advancement of research and the development of new sciences has improved our
farming practices and the quality of our products. The use of biotechnology
allows growers to produce more crops on less land and to reduce the use of
crop protection materials and fuel.
In recent years, efforts by activist organizations to ban biotech crops via
the ballot box have raised the question as to whether or not biotech crops
are safe. The Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture
and health agencies around the world say they are in fact safe to
consume--and based on the defeat of several county ballot campaigns, voters
think so, too by Emily Robidart .

The debate has now been renewed by groups who wish to exploit a case first
reported in Louisiana that led to biotech long-grain rice - unapproved but
safe for consumption - being mixed with commercial rice. This triggered the
USDA to recall a popular seed in Southern states. Many of our trading
partners now require the testing of American imports. Japanese rice buyers
have cited this mishap to question the security of U.S.-grown rice.

The underlying concerns of Japanese buyers appear a bit ambiguous. Some
argue consumers in Japan do not want to consume biotech rice due to fears of
the unknown, while others view it as an excuse to create a unilateral trade
barrier. Regardless of the motivation, one fact remains: Japan is one of the
leading nations in the development of biotech rice research in the world
today. So long as Japan continues its biotech rice research, one cannot help
but question its motivation.

The very same groups that once qualified county ballot measures now cite
Japan's situation as evidence of growing international opposition to
U.S.-produced biotech crops and warn of the economic consequence should
American farm goods be denied entry into international markets. But in doing
so, they ask us to simply ignore the fact that over 10 million farmers grow
biotech crops worldwide, and in 2006, biotech crop production increased in
parts of Europe by five-fold while India tripled its biotech cotton area.
They also overlook the benefits of sharing technology that can produce pest
and virus resistance--with the promise of drought resistance on the
way--with developing nations threatened by hunger, drought and famine.

Public safety is the No. 1 priority for the American farmer. The farming
community benefits from a healthy discussion on how to improve practices and
standards. But calls for domestic and international moratoriums on biotech
crops, or research, go too far.

What are the economic consequences to California's economy and the United
States' status as an international leader in agricultural production if we
deny ourselves access to science that competing nations have already
accepted?

As other nations develop the technology that we are being asked to forgo,
will our products be able to compete with foreign-grown biotech crops that
deliver higher yields, and require less water and fewer crop protection
materials? Which products will American consumers prefer?

Will we have the flexibility we need to give consumers the products they
want? Crops developed through biotechnology will enhance foods to meet
consumer needs, and farmers must be able to be responsive to those needs.

As we continue to move forward with science, research and technology, we
will always learn more than we know now. Progress should be embraced, so
long as public safety is not at risk.

The American public applauds and rewards individuals and industry for
scientific innovation. The use of biotech crops can only protect the future
of family farming and California's legacy as the leading agricultural state
in the nation. Now is not the time to discourage the vision of innovation
promoted by the American farmer.

Emily Robidart is the director of farm policy and biotechnology for the
California Farm Bureau Federation.

[www.cfbf.com]