29 September 2000
Text: Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency on Starlink Corn
Steps announced to prevent usage of bioengineered product in human
food
Following is the text of a joint statement September 29 by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency on
this year's crop of Starlink corn or maize, a bioengineered
insect-resistant product only approved for animal feed, but traces of
which recently were found in processed human food in the United
States:
begin text
Statement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the Environmental Protection Agency
WASHINGTON, September 29, 2000 -- At the urging of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, Aventis will
purchase this year's crop of Starlink corn. This action is a prudent
and responsible step to prevent the current crop of Starlink corn from
being used in processed foods. These measures provide consumers with
additional confidence in the integrity of the food supply by
implementing a rigorous purchase and tracking program. Starlink corn
is only approved for animal feed and was recently found in processed
foods. Today's action immediately prevents Starlink corn from being
used in any food manufacturing. It also guarantees that farmers who
planted Starlink corn are reimbursed for this year's crop.
The agreement will be implemented by USDA and EPA. Aventis, the
manufacturer of Starlink corn, will immediately contact farmers with
instructions on how to handle the 2000 Starlink crop. USDA will
initially purchase the corn from the farmers, handle the corn to
ensure that it does not enter the food supply, and then Aventis will
reimburse USDA for the cost.
end text
Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State.
Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov
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Biotechnology
