THE LOBBY OF THE USW AND NAWG (USA)

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) support the eventual commercialization of biotech wheat. USW works with industry partners to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the concerns of overseas customers.

They point out that wheat production and harvested areas are on a long-term, downward trend around the world. Net returns per acre to farmers often favors other crops and the differential is widening. An eventual supply and demand situation where smaller supplies of wheat are produced only in areas where more profitable alternatives do not exist will translate into supply challenges for the global food industry.

For U.S. Wheat Associates, the EU’s political approach in regulating crops enhanced with traits achieved through modern biotechnology procedures is a real concern for wheat producers. They point out that the EU biotechnology approval process is slow and often influenced more by politics than science, creating uncertainty and deterring new investment in wheat research. They argue that science and market preferences, not politics, should be the key determinants.

The National Association of Wheat Growers works with its 22 affiliated state associations and many coalition partners on issues as diverse as federal farm policy, environmental regulation, the future commercialization of biotechnology in wheat and uniting the wheat industry around common goals.