Japan, EU halts certain U.S. wheat imports

Jun 03, 2013

Japan, EU halts certain U.S. wheat imports

Japan and the European Union have suspended certain imports of U.S. wheat after an unlicensed strain of Monsanto’s genetically modified wheat was found in an Oregon field.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the discovery May 29th, 2013. To date, there have been no strains of genetically modified wheat approved for U.S. agriculture.

A EU official said it would be enforcing its zero-tolerance genetically modified policy. Japanese officials said Thursday that all orders of western white wheat and feed-grade wheat from the Pacific Northwest have been cancelled until further notice.

Japan is one of the biggest buyers of U.S. wheat and imports 90 per cent of its wheat consumption (3 million metric tones) from the United States. Japan says it will wait until the U.S. Department of Agriculture releases more information from its investigation.

South Korean officials announced that while it would not be suspending wheat imports at this time, it would increase its inspections.

Video: EP 72 Connection People to Place – Stories of Regeneration Part 5

2023 was a challenging year for Canadian farmers and ranchers and for humanity in general. We had droughts, wildfires, floods, an affordability crisis and a number of armed conflicts. According to scientists working with the European Union, 2023 smashed temperature records globally.

And yet, someone like Nova Scotia agricultural producer Rachel Lightfoot still finds ways of being optimistic even after her farm got hit by a polar vortex, a dry spring and a very rainy summer all in the same year.

Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.