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Wheat groups discuss GMOs,
consolidation efforts in closed meetings
WASHINGTON (DTN)--Wheat industry leaders from around the country have arrived in Washington for several days of closed meetings that are likely to determine the growers' position on commercialization of genetically modified Wheat and whether the three Wheat organizations will continue with a plan to consolidate into one.
Wheat growers have been represented for many years by three national organizations: U.S. Wheat Associates, which markets Wheat overseas using money collected in checkoff programs; the National Association of Wheat Growers, a membership group that lobbies on domestic agricultural policy issues; and the Wheat Education and Trade Committee, which lobbies on trade issues. The groups have been considering a consolidation, but the idea is controversial.
Some board members of all three groups say they want to save money through better administration and to "speak with one voice." But others say U.S. Wheat Associates has a different function from the other two groups and that its marketing function could be lost in the consolidation process.
U.S. Wheat Associates has a much bigger budget than the other two groups and overseas offices.
Some NAWG and WETEC board members have said they want to use checkoff money for lobbying, but others have pointed out that taking checkoff money for lobbying would be a complicated step because checkoff rules in some states forbid it. Also, matching federal funds that U.S. Wheat Associates now receives can not be used for lobbying.
The groups started considering consolidation last year, but the process has proceeded at a slower pace than originally planned.
The issue of commercialization of biotech Wheat also plays a role in the consolidation plan. U.S. Wheat Associates has generally been unenthusiastic about biotech Wheat because its marketing studies show foreign customers are unenthusiastic about it. NAWG and WETEC board members have been more enthused about the agronomic benefits of biotech wheat.
A Wheat Industry Consolidation Committee composed of board members from all three groups met March 12 and possibly March 13. The meeting was closed to outsiders and the press.
A Joint Biotech Committee was also scheduled to meet on March 13 to decide how to address a request from Monsanto that the Wheat industry support commercialization of biotech wheat. Monsanto made the request at the annual Wheat convention in Atlanta in January. The biotech committee's meetings in the past have been open, but this meeting is closed.
Monsanto, March 11 withdrew one petition to the U. S. Department of Agriculture for government approval for Roundup Ready Wheat, but apparently submitted another application. The exact reasons for the actions are unknown.
All three Wheat groups have scheduled open board meetings in middle March.
Date: 3/16/04
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