UPI Farming Today

Feds study Japan corn shipment

Agriculture Department officials are helping to investigate reports a recent shipment of corn from the United States to Japan contained some of the StarLink variety, which is not intended for human consumption.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is cooperating with Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to determine if StarLink corn managed to get into the shipment that was intended for people.

Late last year, Japanese officials said 1,200 tons of a 19,234-ton shipment of corn from the United States tested positive for StarLink, which is a type of corn that was grown for animal feed and industrial uses. It produces a toxin that kills off any insects that would otherwise damage the crop.

This is the first U.S. corn shipment to test positive since a protocol was developed three years ago. During 2000, StarLink was discovered in a U.S. grain shipment.

Japanese officials said they plan to increase their testing rate of future shipments as a result of the latest finding. U.S. officials, however, do not yet accept that the latest shipment contained StarLink.

Federal Grain Inspection Service officials say they have determined the buyer and seller contacts.

“The barges that made up this shipment were tested under conditions that met the established protocol, and were conducted by a network of official agencies … to perform official inspection services,” said deputy administrator Dave Shipman. “All test results were negative.”

Shipman said he believes that test requirements were met or exceeded and U.S. officials are trying to figure out why their results differ from the Japanese test results.

“Our goal is to ensure an effective and reliable system,” Shipman said. “We hope this investigation will provide additional information to continue to maintain a strong testing program."

Officials in Japan insist their testing program has a 97.9 percent rate of accuracy.

U.N. program receives contributions

U.N. officials hailed recent financial contributions to the world food program, which helped keep it out of financial trouble.

The program received donations exceeding $25.2 million in the last few weeks of 2002, helping to alleviate a funding slump.

The largest donation came from Japan, although the African Development Bank, Germany and Canada also made contributions. Program officials say their operation is now 62 percent towards its total goal of raising $507 million to help feed 12 million people in Africa who are suffering from starvation.

Officials say the program has been able to deliver more than 270,000 metric tons of relief food to people in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Genetic crop makers hold back info

The Center for Science in the Public Interest said it believes the manufacturers of genetically modified crops are withholding information and submitting erroneous data on applications submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday the Washington-based group’s review of 14 FDA applications shows flaws in the safety review of new genetically modified crops.

Activists say there were instances where the FDA requested more information about specific crops, only to be told by the manufacturers that the federal government really did not need the information.

Farmers want more disaster aid

About 100 farmers, livestock ranchers and rural business officials from across the United States were to make a plea for Congress to provide more assistance to help them deal with weather-related disasters during 2001 and 2002.

Officials representing 38 agriculture groups want disaster aid to cover all their financial losses. They say some of the aid provided to them thus far comes from farm bill program cuts, rather than from emergency funds.

Officials were to make their plea Wednesday in Washington. The National Farmers Union and American Farm Bureau Federation are among the groups involved with the latest lobbying effort.

Ag economist to head new commission

Agriculture Department chief economist Keith Collins was chosen to chair the newly created Commission on the Application of Payment Limits for Agriculture.

The commission will study the potential impact of further payment limitations on agricultural producers and others. The 10-member commission consists of people chosen by the Agriculture Department, the Senate and House of Representatives.

The commission will hold its initial meeting during the next month in Washington. The Agriculture Department will provide administrative support and other services to boost the commission’s activities.

Grains higher on CBOT

Grain futures were mostly higher at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soybeans gained on a two-cargo purchase of U.S.-grown soybeans by China.

Corn rose on Taiwan’s purchase of 56,000 metric tons.

Wheat was mixed on uncertainty over the Agriculture Department’s winter wheat seeding estimates to come out Friday.

Oats also were higher.

The prices:

Soybeans: Jan 5.85 1/4 up 3 1/4, Mar 5.79 3/4 up 2 3/4, May 5.73 1/2 up 2 3/4, Jul 5.69 1/4 up 2 3/4.

Corn: Mar 2.40 up 4 1/4, May 2.43 1/4 up 3 1/2, Jul 2.46 1/4 up 3, Dec 3.25 3/4 up 1/2.

Wheat: Mar 3.27 3/4 off 3 3/4, May 3.24 1/2 unch, Jul 3.13 up 1 1/4, Sep 3.16 1/4 up 3/4.

Oats: Mar 2.06 unch, May 1.97 1/2 up 1/4, Jul 1.79 3/4 up 3/4, Sep 1.57 unch.