MONSANTO PULLS THE PLUG ON BIOTECH WHEAT

Opponents of agricultural biotech scored BIG today with the Monsanto corporation's announcement that it gave up on genetically engineered wheat. Here is an excerpt from a press release by the Center for Food Safety issued today:

For Immediate Release May 10, 2004
Contact: Craig Culp, Center for Food Safety, (202) 547-9359, (301) 509-0925 (mobile), cculp@icta.org
Also contact John Smillie or Kevin Dowling, Western Organization of Resource Councils, (406) 252-9672 to discuss farmer rejection of GE
wheat.

Monsanto pulls plug on embattled biotech wheat
Struggling Biotech Giant Faced Stiff Opposition to Engineered Wheat From Farmers

WASHINGTON — Monsanto announced today that it is pulling the plug on genetically engineered wheat after seven years of development and failed efforts to win over farmers and the international wheat market. The company made the announcement even as its application for commercialization remains pending, signifying that stiff opposition to the biotech food crop from U.S. farmers and international markets could not be overcome.

“Monsanto may call this a corporate realignment, but it’s really a full retreat,” said Joseph Mendelson, CFS legal director. “For Monsanto to pull the plug on biotech wheat at this stage, could hardly be more significant. The company has been forced to face reality — the market didn’t want this wheat and Monsanto itself is in a struggle for its very survival.”

“Introduction of genetically modified wheat would have been a commercial disaster,” said Gail Wiley, a North Dakota farmer speaking for the Dakota Resource Council and the Western Organization of Resource Councils. “Monsanto’s announcement today is a victory for farmers in the United States and Canada and our consumers overseas. After five years of effort, we finally convinced Monsanto to face reality: our markets do not want Roundup Ready wheat.”

“This is a huge victory for farmers, consumers and food safety
advocates,” added Mendelson, “and signifies a turning point in the
battle against genetically engineered foods.”