Organizations Back Biotech Wheat

Organizations representing the wheat industry in the United States, Canada and Australia have announced they will work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in the wheat crop. They agree it’s in the best interest of all three producer communities to introduce biotechnology in a coordinated fashion to minimize market disruption.

The issue of biotechnology in wheat has been a sensitive subject in some parts of the world - including major export markets like the European Union and Japan. There is currently no commercial production of genetically modified wheat anywhere in the world. Still - the groups agree it could be a significant component to tackling major issues facing wheat production.

The statement highlighted the importance of wheat to the food supply and declining acres in all three countries due in part to competition from crops that have the advantages of biotech traits. The statement also noted the slow growth trend of wheat yields compared to other crops - and the lack of public and private investment in wheat research worldwide.