Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran supported a recent letter to USDA regarding international regulatory challenges for biotech ag products. Kansas Corn applauds their effort due to the industry's reliance, efficiency and progression due to biotechnology.

Both Senators signed a letter, dated May 7, to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Acting Ambassador Marantis that described regulatory asynchrony, zero tolerance policies and re-registration requirements as costly regulatory barriers. The one-page letter also acknowledged efforts currently underway by USDA and USTR to engage trading partners on these issues.

Biotech varieties accounted for 88-percent of corn planted last year in the United States. 90-percent of Kansas corn acres were planted with biotech varieties. As the world's leading exporter of corn, corn growers associations across the country strongly support efforts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of corn and corn co-products in the international marketplace.

"Biotechnology has been and will continue to be critical for farmers to help manage challenges from weather, pests and weeds. It truly increases efficiency in our corn crop," said Kansas Corn Commission spokesperson Sue Schulte. "We need to elevate the conversation on barriers to biotech with each of our trading partners."

The letter was signed by Senators from Colorado, Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Delaware, Indiana, Mississippi, Minnesota Illinois, North Dakota, North Carolina, Nebraska and South Dakota.

To read the letter, click here:

http://ncga.com/upload/files/documents/pdf/130507%20Ltr%20to%20Sec%20Vilsack%20and%20Amb%20Marantis.pdf