Dow AgroSciences' decision to severely restrict U.S. introduction of its Enlist genetically modified (GMO) crops and herbicide -- billed as the company's most important product launch ever -- came after extensive talks with U.S. grain leaders who fear roiling trade with China, a company executive says.
The deep involvement of the grain industry in defining a GMO crop launch, and the controls on it underscore the lengths to which U.S. companies go to avoid angering China.
Over the past year, China has shown reluctance to approve new GMO grain for import and has rejected more than 1 million metric tons of U.S. corn containing traces of unapproved GMO traits.
Dow AgroSciences' application for Chinese approval of its Enlist genetically modified corn has languished for about two years. Its Enlist soybeans are also awaiting approval. Both are genetically engineered to withstand treatments of Dow's new Enlist Duo herbicide.
"We want to make sure that we respect their (China's) process," says Joe Vertin, Dow AgroSciences' global leader for Enlist.
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Vertin says after the company received U.S. regulatory approvals this fall, it held talks with national corn and soybean grower groups, grain trading groups and others on how to proceed.
'Unique' strategy
The agricultural unit of Dow Chemical evaluated several proposals before coming up with what Vertin called a "unique" strategy.
That plan allows only for seed production of its new Enlist soybeans. Farmers who grow Enlist corn seed will be required to feed the harvested grain to their livestock and agree to have the process audited. Farmers will be invoiced for Enlist corn seed only after China import approval is granted.
Enlist Duo herbicide will be sold for use on both the beans and corn.
The program is for 2015 and will be re-evaluated for 2016, depending on China's position.
Vertin would not specify the acreage targeted for the launch. But he says the company is optimistic for broad adoption at some point.
"As we look at any biotech trait ... it's a gradual process," he says.
