The Wheat Revolution Will Not Be Genetically Engineered

[marmar]

from Civil Eats:



The Wheat Revolution Will Not Be Genetically Engineered
By Amy Halloran on May 31, 2013


On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that genetically engineered (GE) wheat–which was planted in trials that ended in 2001 and has not been approved for sale–was found in eastern Oregon. While the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says the GE wheat is safe to eat, countries like Japan have already halted imports fearing contamination. This has happened before, with rice after traces of unapproved GE strains were found in the 2006 harvest.

Wheat farmers in the Pacific Northwest export up to 90 percent of their harvest; most of it is used to make noodles in Asia. “We are taking this situation very seriously and have launched a formal investigation,” said Michael Firko, of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in a press release.

The issue of genetic engineering of crops has been in the news in Washington state, as I-522, a GE labeling initiative moves forward to the November 2013 ballot. While the Washington Association of Wheat Growers has been dismissive of claims that labeling would affect farmers’ abilities to export wheat, a response to the announcement of the discovery of the GE wheat in Oregon emphasized the safety of the food, and sought understanding from trade partners as the investigation continues.

Farmers in the east side of Washington grow 2.5 million acres of wheat, much of it the soft white wheat aimed for Asian markets. West of the Cascades, other markets for wheat are being cultivated. Farmers in this area are poised to feed the informed eaters who want grains with more identity than the anonymous products of the state’s grain belt. ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://civileats.com/2013/05/31/the-wheat-revolution-will-not-be-genetically-engineered/

[orpupilofnature57]

1. You are what you eat, and what you know .

Investigate Monsanto, the US Senate and the USDA .

[eppur_se_muova]

2. DNA is a chemical -- fine Monsanto for chemical contamination of the food supply. nt