Genetically modified wheat: Oregon farmers cheer Japan's decision to resume purchases
Oregon's wheat farmers, already in the thick of this year's harvest, have one less thing to worry about. And it's a biggie.
Drought, crop prices and equipment breakdowns are still on the list of troubles, but Japan's agricultural ministry announced Tuesday that it will resume buying western white wheat from the Pacific Northwest -- a crop valued at up to $500 million a year to Oregon farmers.
The announcement ended months of uncertainty for growers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The discovery of genetically modified wheat plants growing in an Oregon field this spring had threatened to shut down their biggest export market.
"It's good news," said Steve Mercer, vice president of communications for the trade groupU.S. Wheat Associates. He said Japan has placed a purchase order for 90,000 metric tons of western white wheat, which is a blend of varieties called soft white wheat and club wheat. Both varieties are grown in the Pacific Northwest, and the order will be shipped from Columbia River ports, Mercer said.
Japan and South Korea postponed wheat purchases in May after learning unapproved "Roundup Ready" wheat plants had been found growing in an eastern Oregon field in April.
Most of the wheat grown in the Pacific Northwest is exported to Asian nations, where it's made into noodles, cakes, crackers and cookies. But buyers there don't want genetically engineered food, and reacted swiftly to cut off purchases when news broke of the rogue plants. South Korea resumed wheat purchases earlier in July after initial testing failed to find more genetically engineered plants or seed.
Oregon Wheat Commission chief executive Blake Rowe said Japan's turnaround is "very welcome" to the state's wheat farmers, who are in the midst of harvest this summer.
"It's great news to have our largest, longest and most reliable customer back buying wheat," he said.
An ongoing investigation by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, has found no more genetically modified plants, seed or grain. The agency said this week that it has interviewed 270 growers but has not yet been able to say how the plants came to be in the Oregon field. The plants were a variety developed by Monsanto Co. to resist its Roundup herbicide, but never approved for commercial production.
Japan will test for genetically modified material in wheat shipments, adding to a testing regimen that includes checking for residue of 120 chemicals, Mercer said. Japan buys about 1 million metric tons of western white wheat annually, and Mercer praised Japan's "science-based approach" to the investigation.
"It was from caution that they made the choice they did, and they went forward in very reasoned way," he said.
Condon-area farmer Walter Powell said cooperation by state and federal agencies, trade groups, farmers and the Northwest congressional delegation was crucial in easing export partners' concerns about genetically engineered wheat.
"Realistically, in the back of my mind, I know that if Japan or Korea or Taiwan do any testing and it turns up positive, we've got a whole different scenario," Powell said. "But for right now, it's a tremendous relief."
Hiroshi Furusawa, Japan's consul general in Portland, said Tuesday that "satisfactory" results of the APHIS investigation were a key factor in resuming wheat purchases. Testing in Portland and in Japan should spot any future problems, he said.
"We do rely on what you grow here, and we are pleased once again to be able to resume importing wheat," Furusawa said. "I value this relationship very much, and I'm glad it's continuing."
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., applauded Japan's decision, saying it "comes at the perfect time for wheat growers and for the state's economy."
Wyden said the resumption of wheat purchases could not have been accomplished without the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "unprecedented transparency and openness" regarding the investigation. APHIS, the investigating agency, is a division of the USDA.
--Eric Mortenson OREGONLIVE
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