U.S. Agric Secretary Vilsack Pitches in for Biotech

"We must utilize all of the appropriate tools in our toolbox - and modern agricultural technologies will play a critical role. Developing countries should look at improved seeds for crops that are drought tolerant or disease resistant. Agricultural biotechnology - with and without genetic engineering - is a powerful tool that can be used to boost agricultural productivity and build prosperity among the rural poor." U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made these remarks during the Partners in Agriculture Global Food Security Symposium sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council held in Tokyo, Japan last April 7, 2010.

Vilsack added: "Emerging technologies holds the promise of creating crops that better tolerate drought, toxicity, disease and salinity....Because of its vast potential, it is essential that developing countries around the world develop consistent and science-based regulatory processes governing biotechnology. Regulatory decisions must be based on science and not fear. The biggest costs of not taking advantage of this safe, accessible, productivity-enhancing technology are borne not by the world's affluent consumers, but by the world's poorest farmers."

For more information about the Global Food Security Symposium, visit http://www.partners-in-agriculture.org. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/04/0171.xml