USA
July 1, 2011

USA Rice Federation is pleased Bayer CropScience has reportedly offered a settlement to long-grain rice farmers affected by the unintentional release of Bayer’s Liberty Link 601 genetically engineered rice into the commercial long-grain rice supply.

Beginning at the onset of the event in August 2006, USA Rice Federation led the rice industry’s effort to address the issue by communicating the threat, collaborating with all segments of the industry to find a solution, advocating on behalf of rice farmers adversely affected, and working with foreign trade and government officials to re-open markets closed as a result of the incident. In addition, it led the voluntary implementation of the rice industry’s Seed Plan, which has been successful in virtually eliminating the trait from the commercial long-grain rice supply.

In support of rice farmers affected by the crisis, USA Rice also testified in several trials and filed “Friend of the Court” briefs detailing the relevant federal statue and regulations which are designed to protect U.S. agriculture from the unapproved release of experimental genetically engineered crops.

The settlement offer provides an opportunity for Bayer to compensate the thousands of rice farmers who suffered significant financial losses because of the Liberty Link event and USA Rice is pleased with this development.

Website: http://www.usarice.com

Published: July 1, 2011