Dear Mr. President:

As you prepare for the upcoming G-8 meeting, we respectfully request that you include agricultural biotechnology in all bilateral discussions with the member countries of the European Union (EU).

The entire U.S. agricultural food and fiber distribution chain is our nation's largest single industry, accounting for nearly 1 out of every 6 jobs, and approximately 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Exports, which account for as much as one-third of domestic agricultural commodity production, are key to agriculture's overall economic health and future growth. This is especially true uner the new farm bill (Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996), which gradually reduces domestic farm programs and increases the importance of maintaining continued access to foreign markets.

Last year, U.S. agricultural exports reached a record high of nearly $60 billion--leading to a record agricultural trade surplus of almost $30 billion, strengthening farm income, generating billions more in related economic activity, and providing jobs for over one million Americans. Every billion dollars in additional U.S. agricultural exports will create as many as 17,000 new jobs.

As one of the most productive industries in the world, U.S. agriculture is charged with the great responsibility to feed and clothe an ever-increasing world population. The World Food Summit in Rome underscored the fact that the U.S. must become even more efficient if the goal to eliminate hunger is to be accomplished. As the world population continues to expand, technology must be developed to enable the U.S. agricultural system to produce the needed food in a manner that fully utilizes our production capacity in an environmentally conscientious manner. Biotechnology is an important component of that needed technology.

Because trade is so important to American agriculture and the U.S. food industry, it is imperative that policy and regulations governing international commerce of genetically modified food and agricultural products are based on sound science and not just emotion which often turns into pure hyperbole. It is also important to note that segregation of bulk commodities is not scientifically justified and is economically unrealistic.

Some officials of the EU advocate requirements that could be considered non- tariff trade barriers to the U.S. and other countries exporting to the EU. It is critical the EU understand at the highest level that the U.S. would consider any trade barrier of genetically modified agricultural products, be it discriminatory labeling or segregation, unacceptable and subject to challenge in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Mr. President, agricultural biotechnology is an evolutionary technology with revolutionary potential to feed an ever-increasing world population, while enhancing environmental stewardship. Placing biotechnology on the bilateral agenda with member countries of the EU will help assure international trading rules will be based on sound science and allow the U.S. to continue providing the safest food supply in the world.

Sincerely,

AG for BIOTECH
AgrEvo USA Company
American Crop Protection Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Meat Institute
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
Animal Health Institute
Association of Sales & Marketing Companies
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Corn Refiners Association
Fertilizer Institute
Florida Sugar Cane League
Grocery Manufacturers of America
Hawaiian Sugar Cane League
Louis Dreyfus Corporation
Mid-America Dairymen, Inc.
Monsanto Company
Mycogen Corporation
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Growers Association
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Food Processors Association
National Grain and Feed Association
National Grain Sorghum Producers Association
National Grange
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
Novartis
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Texas Sugar Cane League
U.S. Beet Sugar Association
U.S. Feed Grains Council
U.S. Meat Export Federation
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
Wheat Export Trade Education Committee