According to an article published in Feedstuffs Online by Jaqui Fatka, May 5, 2016, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Bunge have said they will refuse to purchase Monsanto Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans from producers before the seed trait receives EU approval. That approval is still forthcoming.
On Apr. 25, Perdue Agribusiness Sr. VP John Ade informed growers that it would only accept Roundup Ready 2 Xtend if growers provide a written notification upon planting the varieties and only at certain buying locations.
According to Ade, “While Perdue AgriBusiness supports technological advancements, we at the same time must be sensitive to requirements of our domestic and international customers, as well as government regulations. We ask for your cooperation with this requirement regarding Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend™ Soybeans.”
“The wide-scale planting of traits that are not approved by key importing countries has the potential to seriously diminish the competitiveness of American grain and feed exports and can result in damages throughout the entire agricultural supply chain,” according to a statement from ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson. “Because of the importance of exports to American agriculture, ADM’s policy is not to accept any commodity that contains a trait until it is approved in all of our major export markets.”
Feedstuffs and the Wall Street Journal reported that the National Grain & Feed Assn., North American Export Grain Assn. and National Oilseed Processors Assn. wrote a strongly worded letter to Monsanto about the decision to sell RR2Xtend seed to farmers prior to securing final European Union approval. Monsanto has said that the decision was based on the understanding that the EU approval process would be wrapped up prior to planting, and indeed it is in the final stage of approval.
In a blog post, Monsanto said, “We take stewardship of our products seriously, and it’s one of the driving forces behind our ongoing communication with members of industry associations, growers and others.”
