Sacramento Valley farmers sound alarm on bio-engineered rice

[Doondoo]

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A group representing more than 200 Sacramento Valley rice farmers is warning that any outdoor planting of genetically modified rice could jeopardize the state's $400 million rice industry.

The group, the Rice Producers of California, released a report Tuesday that said exports to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Turkey and other countries could be put at risk if so-called transgenic rice contaminates the state's crops.

Transgenic rice has not been planted by commercial farmers in the United States but has been planted in experimental plots. Last summer, traces of a genetically modified strain contaminated commercial long-grain rice harvests in several southern states. Following the incident, futures prices for long-grain rice plunged as European importers reacted by demanding that each shipment be tested.

California farmers, who do not grow long-grain, were not affected. But it scared Sacramento Valley farmers, who export 40 percent of their crop.

Placer County rice farmer Nick Greco said believes any outdoor testing is unacceptable.

"We have customers that want a very specific product," he said.


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_BRF_NORCAL_RICE_FARMING_CAOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-02-20-18-09-46

[PLF]

1. That's great.

[kestrel91316]

2. Not content with wreaking environmental havoc via chemical

pollution, Monsanto moves on to BIOLOGICAL POLLUTION.

Way to go, corporate America!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Javaman]

3. monsanto is evil. nt