GMW: India targeted in a big way for GM soya

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GMW: India targeted " in a big way " for GM soya

" GM WATCH " <info

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 09:13:15 +0100

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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The American Soybean Association (ASA) claims to be 'a non-profit,

farmer-controlled organisation' but it enjoys a remarkably close

relationship with Monsanto and other biotech corporations.

 

In fiscal year 2000 it is known to have received $2.1 million of its

$26.7 million budget from Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, BASF,

Stein Seed Co. and others.

http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=10

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US growers push soy products in India

Financial Express, August 22, 2005

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=99966

 

NEW DELHI, AUG 21: - Soybean growers from the US are planning to enter

the Indian market in a big way with a variety of soy products.

 

" India imports about $10 million worth of American soy products. We are

aiming at increasing the level of our soy-products exports to India to

about $30 million, " said Robert Bob L Rikli, secretary of the American

Soybean Association (ASA).

 

US produces about 80 million tonne of soybean annually, out of which

40% is exported to several countries. A variety of food items are made

out of soybean in the US. Animal and poultry feed are also prepared from

soybean.

 

Majority of the soybean varieties grown in US are genetically modified

(GM)–the ready round up varieties of the seed multinational, Monsanto.

<p>Segregation of GM and non-GM varieties is not done in US. But Mr

Rikli feels that this situation will not be a constraint to American

exports to India and other Asian countries. He says: " We are farmers

and we

are simply asking for markets for our produce. India is already

importing some American soy products. "

 

In a seminar-cum-interactive session with Indian stakeholders in Delhi

on Saturday, the ASA projected all the possible health and nutritional

benefits arising out of consumption of soy products. The ASA is a body

of US farmers engaged in lobbying for overseas markets by generating

awareness about American soya-products. It has nine centres around the

world.

 

 

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