USDA Releases Final Coexistence Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC 21) yesterday released a final set of recommendations on enhancing coexistence among different crop production methods. Over the course of the last year, AC 21 committee members focused on identifying ways to improve successful coexistence and made recommendations to the USDA emphasizing education, stewardship and good neighbor-to-neighbor communications. The National Corn Growers Association commends AC 21 committee members for developing innovative and effective tools that help balance risks and rewards for all farmers.

“During meetings, the conversations I had with other growers were the most helpful,” AC 21 committee member and NCGA Past President Darrin Ihnen said. “Farmers have one thing in common. We all want to choose what is right for our farms. We agree that the best situation is when good stewardship and neighbor-to-neighbor communications lead to effective coexistence on the local level.”

The report states that technological innovations and market diversity have become key drivers of increased productivity and product quality for all forms of American agriculture. In 2012, biotech acres made up 88 percent of all corn planted in the United States.

“All of agriculture must work together to meet the needs of customers around the world,” Ihnen said. “That is a big challenge and in this case, we showed that there is a role for all farmers, no matter what type of seeds they plant.”

Story Courtesy of NCGA