Companies say public wary of genetically altered potatoes By BOB FICK, Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (April 29, 2000 1:57 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - One of the nation's largest potato processors is warning farmers that it plans to stop buying genetically altered spuds because its fast-food customers don't want them in their fryers. Idaho's J.R. Simplot Co. told its growers in Idaho and North Dakota that, while it believes biotechnology is important for agriculture and providing affordable food, it has to respect the preferences of the fast-food chains it serves. Its largest customer is McDonald's. "You're talking about a highly visible retail product in french fries and therefore pressure from extreme environmental groups and anti-technology groups managed to raise this to a level where there appeared to be consumer reluctance," said Simplot spokesman Fred Zerza. McDonald's spokesman Walt Riker wouldn't confirm the report, saying the company doesn't publicly discuss purchasing for competitive reasons. But he said the report, if true, suggests "tiny numbers dwindling even more" in terms of McDonald's use of genetically modified potatoes. Less than 4 percent of the potatoes used in McDonald's North American restaurants come from genetically altered seed, he said. "If producers are going to be out of it (genetically modified foods), then we'll be out of it too," Riker said. Last year, about 4 percent of the nation's potato acreage was planted with genetically altered potatoes. Potato breeder Steve Love, who helped Monsanto Co. develop its NewLeaf beetle-repelling potato five years ago, called Simplot's move senseless but not unexpected. "The problem we're seeing with acceptance is that we have never really given the public anything that they can measure and say ... 'Is it worth me taking something I don't know anything about,"' Love said. Genetically altered potatoes can improve crop growth while reducing the need for chemicals. But, like genetically altered soybeans and corn, thought to be the future of agriculture when they hit the market in the 1990s, they have faced increasing concern from consumers. Europeans were the first to balk at buying biotech grain, which they dubbed "Frankenfoods," and resistance has grown in Asia. The critics argue genetically engineered crops have not been proven safe. Monsanto spokesman Bryan Hurley said the consumer backlash spilling over from Europe should have no material effect on the company since NewLeaf was such a small part of its business and the markets are strong for biotech corn, soybeans and cotton. But the effect has been significant on the Boise operations of Naturemark, Monsanto's NewLeaf marketing arm, where staff has been dramatically reduced as farmers turn away. "The public is too far removed now from food production, so new technologies are poorly understood and that's the problem," Naturemark spokesman Jan de Weerd said. By planting the genetically altered seeds, potato growers can avoid some chemical spraying and save about $140 of their $1,500 per-acre production costs. "We constantly hear from EPA and the environmental community that we use too much pesticide. Here's a tool comes along that reduces that, and they don't like that either," said Potato Growers of Idaho spokesman John Thompson. "This year looks like a big year for aphids and beetles so you'd do well growing Naturemark, but very few growers will," Thompson said. "There's no market." "We're heading back to the stone age," said farmer Clen Atchley, who planted genetically altered potatoes on a fraction of his 1,000 acres last year. This year, Atchley said, he probably won't plant any. The U.S. Agriculture Department released a survey last month showing U.S. use of genetically altered seeds is expected to drop in 2000. According to the survey, genetically altered corn production was projected to drop from 25 percent last year to 19 percent in 2000; biotech cotton from 55 percent to 48 percent; and biotech soybeans from 57 percent to 52 percent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steve Wingate California Director SKYWATCH INTERNATIONAL Anomalous Images and UFO Files http://www.anomalous-images.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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