Farm group says USDA put bad corn into feed chain

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Farm group says USDA put bad corn into feed chain

 

USA: January 24, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farm group says USDA put bad corn into feed chain

 

 

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa farmers and an environmental group yesterday 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 yesterday 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 yesterday 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.

 

Story 24/1/2003

 

 

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