Farm group says USDA put bad corn into feed chain.

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Farm group says USDA put bad corn into feed chain

 

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Iowa farmers and an

environmental group on Thursday charged the U.S. government with

selling a problem supply of genetically engineered corn to a feed

company despite complaints that the corn had caused hormonal

problems in pigs.

 

The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) and Friends of the Earth sent a letter

on Thursday to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman,

asking the USDA to bar use of the corn in human or animal food " as

long as the cause of reproductive failure in swine is unresolved. "

 

But a USDA spokesman told Reuters the corn had been tested and found

to be safe.

 

More than 20 farmers have complained over the last two years about

sows that ate the corn developing pseudopregnancy, exhibiting signs

of pregnancy for a full term without carrying a fetus. The corn is

being tested to see if it caused or contributed to the problems, the

groups said.

 

They complained on Thursday that despite the potential problems, the

U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation sold 950 bushels of the suspect

corn on Jan. 9 to the G & R Grain and Feed Company in Portsmouth, Iowa.

 

" They thought they could sell a minute amount and blend it in with

other corn and the farmers would accept it, " said Iowa Farmers Union

representative Lori Sokolowski.

 

" We felt that further scientific testing needed to be done for USDA

to determine if this ... is a risk. But they aren't waiting for the

testing to be done. "

 

USDA spokesman Wayne Baggett said USDA's Farm Service Agency " had

samples drawn and submitted for grading. The grading showed it (the

corn) was saleable. "

 

Baggett said USDA then had the tests reviewed by Iowa State

University veterinary and grain quality experts. " They reviewed the

test results and determined that the corn would not be expected to

affect swine. "

 

In August, a USDA researcher wrote " one possible cause " of problems

with sows " may be the presence of an unanticipated, biologically

active, chemical compound within the corn. "

 

" Why would USDA Secretary Veneman allow her Department to sell this

corn to a feed company before finishing a scientific investigation

to learn if it is harmful to pigs or other farm animals? " said IFU's

Chris Peterson in a statement issued Thursday. " We want sound

science to avoid reproductive problems in Iowa's swine herds.

Independent hog farmers have told us that this problem could be the

final blow to their farms. "

 

The sows in question had all eaten a genetically modified corn, some

of which was also found contaminated with a type of mold.

Researchers have not yet determined what about the corn could cause

the hormonal changes, but have not been able to rule out the corn as

the cause, the farmers union said.

 

" Their hormones are all messed up. The veterinarians couldn't figure

out what was wrong with the sows, " said Sokolowski

 

Friends of the Earth, an activist group generally opposed to biotech

crops, said it had been corresponding for months with the USDA on

this matter. A letter from the Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration dated Oct. 29 said " scientists are testing

the corn to determine if it contains a novel toxin that might impact

swine production, " but no final determination had ever been

communicated.

 

The farmers union and Friends of the Earth acknowledged that

researchers at Iowa State University have said that genetically

engineered Bt corn is not the cause of swine reproductive failures

experienced by numerous local farmers.

 

But they said, research has not not concluded whether some other

aspect of the corn was causing the problems.

 

The USDA has about 22,000 bushels of the suspect corn, having

obtained it as collateral on a loan to the operators of a Harlan,

Iowa, farm.

 

The groups said the FSA attempted in late 2002 to sell the corn for

ethanol production but it was rejected by a local processor.

 

" When there is a mysterious problem that could affect the fate of

farmers, our health and the environment, we need answers - not

attempts to sweep it under the rug like the USDA has done, " said

Friends of the Earth spokesman Larry Bohlen.

 

 

Craig Winters

Executive Director

The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

 

The Campaign

PO Box 55699

Seattle, WA 98155

Tel: 425-771-4049

Fax: 603-825-5841

E-mail: label

Web Site: http://www.thecampaign.org