FRENCH SUGAR BEET GROWERS SUPPORT BIOTECH

UNCLAS PARIS 004719 SIPDIS SIPDIS BRUSSELS PASS USEU FOR AGMINCOUNSELOR STATE FOR OES; EUR/ERA(GRAY); EEB/TPP/ABT/BTT (BOBO); STATE PASS USTR FOR MURPHY/CLARKSON; OCRA/CURTIS; STA/SIMMONS/JONES/HENNEY/SISSON; EU POSTS PASS TO AGRICULTURE AND ECON GENEVA FOR USTR, ALSO AGRICULTURE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR SENV ECON ETRD EU FR SUBJECT: FRENCH SUGAR BEET GROWERS SUPPORT BIOTECH ¶1. During its annual conference in Paris on December 4, the French Sugar Beet Growers' Association (CGB),representing 35,000 French sugar beet growers, openly expressed its support for biotechnology. The chairman, Dominique Ducroquet, reiterated that in order to remain competitive, French sugar beet growers need to have access to all available technological improvements, including biotechnology. The farm audience applauded this statement. Ducroquet also urged the Minister of Agriculture, who was present, not to listen to the "merchants of fear," a term used to describe anti-biotech NGOs. ¶2. Ducroquet criticized the attitude of the Government which, in his view, listens more to NGOs ("the groups who talk") than to farm groups and farm unions ("the groups who act"). In his speech at the conference, Ag Minister Barnier did not mention biotech. ¶3. Seed companies and scientists made presentations on the benefits of biotech. The German seed company KWS claimed its biotech programs was able increase sugar beet yields, enhance quality and reduce costs of production. ¶4. A specialist from the French Technical Institute for Sugar Beets cautioned that, unlike in the U.S., there are wild native plants related to the sugar beet in the EU, increasing the risk of pollen contamination. He stated that a sterile biotech sugar beet could address this problem. A scientist and deputy General Director from INRA (French Agricultural Research Institute) delivered a statement supporting biotechnology which the audience applauded, emphasizing its potential to increase production and productivity. ¶5. Comment: This widely-attended (500 plus) conference was significant as it demonstrated biotech support beyond the corn growers. Until now, the corn farmers' union has been the most solidly pro-biotech producers' union. End Comment. STAPLETON