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Hay registration press release has MONSANTO in it.
Dr. C. Ford Runge Against Trade Restrictions on Biotech Crops
Download this press release as an Adobe PDF document.
Notable economist cites significant potential benefits for poor
farmers in developing countries
(PRWEWB) February 14, 2006 -- In 2003-04, approximately $44 billion in
value was being produced worldwide from biotech crops, according to
research conducted by Dr. C. Ford Runge, Director of the Center for
International Food and Agricultural Policy (CIFAP) at the University
of Minnesota. The research appears in a consulting report for the
Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI).
"At the macro level, the impact of the technology is only beginning to
be felt. So every year, I would anticipate that that value figure will
grow. Biotech crops will play a more and more important role in the
global crop economy," Runge says in a new video available at
biotech-gmo.com.
"My only real interest is that plant biotechnology not become an
excuse for restricting trade that's a potential benefit not only to
our farmers in the United States, but especially to poor farmers in
developing countries," Runge continues.
Dr. Runge's research demonstrates there is increasing adoption of
biotech crops, with the potential for a major expansion of planted
acreage still to come. Research on new GM crops is also robust, with
efforts ongoing in 57 plant species across 63 countries, including
programs in Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa.
"It is an extremely powerful and important emerging technology. And
it's going to play its role and part depending on the degree to which
it can be made available, appropriate and friendly especially to
poor farmers in developing countries," says Runge.
"The question that has been raised in some quarters is whether or not
transgenic crops are only for big, rich farmers." According to Runge,
the answer is no. "The reason for this goes back to the fact that the
advantages of the technology are inherent in the seed."
To view the short video featuring Dr. C. Ford Runge, visit Monsanto's
Conversations about Plant Biotechnology website:
http://www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/new.htm
The opinions and information offered are those of Dr. C. Ford Runge
and not the University of Minnesota.
CONTACT:
Michael Doane
Monsanto Company
314-694-8351
www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo
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