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Biotech / Medical : Monsanto Co. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (2128)	6/3/1999 6:32:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2539

ConAgra to accept GM corn rejected by importers CHICAGO, June 3 (Reuters) - ConAgra Grain Companies, a unit of ConAgra Inc. <CAG.N>, said Thursday it would accept, and try to market, varieties of genetically-modified corn that have not been approved in some world markets. ConAgra said it would make the corn available for sale in the United States or to foreign markets that have approved it, provided the producer identifies the grain as genetically modified. "If it's not fully approved in all markets, we identity preserve it and we find a market for it," a ConAgra spokeswoman told Reuters. Genetically modified crops have rapidly grown in popularity in recent years, but not all varieties have been approved in other countries. This has raised concerns that farmers can find sufficient outlets for all of the grain. Among the varieties not approved for import by the European Union is "Roundup Ready" corn, a Monsanto product which is genetically altered to resist Roundup Ready herbicide, also produced by Monsanto. "The focus of this is on the unapproved grain," said Randy Krotz, director of public and industry affairs for St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. <MTC.N>, with which ConAgra has a promotional and marketing agreement over this initiative. About 5 percent of 1999 U.S. corn acres were planted with genetically-modified varieties that are not approved for global trade, Krotz said. U.S. farmers are expected to plant 78.2 million acres of corn this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ConAgra would accept the corn at any of its U.S. facilities, the spokeswoman said. Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra has more than 100 grain elevators throughout the major U.S. production states. Genetically modified crops have met resistance in some of the U.S.' major overseas markets, partly on concerns that food products containing genetically modified crops may not be entirely safe for human consumption. moneynet.com@NEWS-P1&Index=0&HeadlineURL=../News/NewsHeadlines.asp&DISABLE_FORM=&NAVSVC=News\Company