EU approval rules GM beet launch in USA
A good article about the possible launch of a GM sugar beet in the United States.
Alisa
EU approval rules GM beet launch in USA
by Mike Abram
Farmers Weekly
July 19, 2006
Germany's equivalent to Cereals 2006, DLG-Feldtage, was held near Frankfurt last week. The global nature of the sugar product market is driving the timetable for launching genetically modified sugar beet in the USA.
"In the USA, we are aiming at the worldwide first launch of genetically modified sugar beet in 2007," said Anja Matzk, head of biotechnology regulatory affairs for seed breeders KWS. "There is a huge demand of US farmers to grow Roundup Ready sugar beet.
"We have full permissions in the USA, but we prefer to wait until we have approval for food and feed use in Europe to fully launch."
Without that approval any sugar produced from GMO beet cannot be used in food or feed products destined for the EU. The approval might come in 2007, she said.
If it didnt come, the firm could look to extend the "channelling" process used with one sugar company.
Obviously we would prefer the approval was granted." Launching a GMO crop needs a totally different approach from conventional varieties, she pointed out.
You need to learn how market connections work, and think what countries you need approvals in.
Application for approval to grow GM sugar beet in the EU hadn't been submitted as yet. "I see a future [for GMO sugar beet] cultivation in the EU, she said.
