Anheuser-Busch threatens Missouri rice boycott (GMOs)

[conflictgirl]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=509&ncid=509&e=15&u=/ap/20050412/ap_on_bi_ge/beer_genetic_crops

WASHINGTON - Anheuser-Busch Cos., the nation's No. 1 buyer of rice as well as its largest brewer, says it won't buy rice from Missouri if genetically modified, drug-making crops are allowed to be grown in the state.

The St. Louis-based beer giant, which says it is concerned about possible contamination, is the latest company to express concern over plans by Ventria Biosciences to grow 200 acres of rice engineered to produce human proteins that can make drugs.

<snip>

Last month, Arkansas-based Riceland Foods Inc., the world's largest rice miller and marketer, asked federal regulators to deny a permit for Ventria's project, saying its customers don't want to risk buying genetically modified rice. Anheuser-Busch is believed to be the first major company to threaten a boycott over the issue, according to comments filed last month with the Agriculture Department.

"Given the potential for contamination of commercial rice production in this state, we will not purchase any rice produced or processed in Missouri if Ventria introduces its pharma rice here," Jim Hoffmeister, a vice president at Anheuser-Busch, said Tuesday.
<snip>

[SpiralHawk]

1. Have a cold genetically modified beer?

No thank you. I have already barfed enough this lifetime.

[MadHound]

2. Wow, Anheuser Bush is doing something good, and socially responsible!

Damn, I guess I'll have to thank them buy purchasing and drinking one of their crappy products this weekend:puke: Perhaps I should be smart about this and drink that Bud after I've had a few glasses of something good.

In all seriousness, good on Bush. GM crops are going to ruin agriculture and our society as a whole, and it is nice to see a multi-national behemoth like Bush on our side for once.

[rfkrfk]

3. if A-B does not want GM rice, I suggest

that they do not buy any.
WTF

[conflictgirl]

6. ???

Their argument is that once GM rice is planted there can be no guarantee that other rice grown nearby won't become contaminated by the GM stuff.

I hate their beer personally but I think it's great that such a high-profile company is taking a stand against GMOs.

[rfkrfk]

9. if A-B does not want 'contaminated' rice, I suggest

that they don't buy any.
A-B can't make a deal with rice farmers they trust?
I am aware that grain can fall off a truck,
but I think this is a commercial issue.

[Willy Lee]

11. Its not about a random grain of rice falling off of a truck,

but about Mother Nature's determination to pollinate pollinate pollinate. Once these crops are planted there is no guarantee that they won't cross with other "wild type" crops. The results of such cross-contamination are unknown. GM crops are a horrible idea anywhere.

And of course the other posters are correct- rice don't belong in beer- but kudos for AB for taking a stand on this.

[Willy Lee]

4. Wow. I think this is great.

Hate their beer, would never drink it, but hell- I don't want GMO crops near me either! If it takes a giant corp like AB to make the argument stick, so be it.

[cheezus]

5. or they could make beer out of barley

maybe it wouldn't taste like crap then

[LeftCoast]

7. I just have to say - if a beer contains rice...it's NOT beer!

All the mass produced US beers use rice...that's why they taste like crap.

</rant>

[Abelman]

8. They shouldn't buy rice

because it doesn't belong in Beer!

Beer should contain only:
Water
Barley
Hops
(yeast is understood to be an ingredient)

Technically, it can contain some irish moss perhaps as well as natural flavorings desired. The only grainy exceptions are oats and wheat, but then you have a completely different form of beer.

[theboss]

10. The rice is why I hate Budweiser

It tastes "wrong" and causes nasty hangovers.