Wednesday September 26 Ag News

WSA response to ConAgra decision on Pork Gestation Crates
Michele Ehresman, Executive Director, We Support Agriculture

“We are extremely disappointed by ConAgra’s decision to support the elimination of gestation stall housing for sows. The fact that a long-time, Nebraska-based, food company would choose to follow the agenda of an extreme animal rights organization such as the Humane Society of the United States will do nothing to improve the care provided to sows, but only place a significant burden on Nebraska’s farm families that raise pork.”

“Nebraska farmers and ranchers are caring people who know how to care for their animals properly and have a moral responsibility to do so. They go to great lengths to protect their animals from disease, predators and the harsh Nebraska climate, all the while working to provide an abundant and nutritious food supply for their neighbors. We Support Agriculture was established to defend Nebraska farm families from misinformation campaigns designed to discredit farm families under the false pretense of promoting humane treatment of animals. ”

“Nebraska agriculture is vital to our state’s economy and the Nebraska way of life, creating one out of every three Nebraska jobs. The Washington D.C. –based HSUS has clearly stated goals of “reducing, refining, and replacing” meat in the diets of American consumers, a goal that poses a real threat to Nebraska’s economy and Nebraska’s farm families. The drought that has plagued the Midwest has already created major challenges to the viability of many of Nebraska’s livestock farmers including those involved in raising pork. Decisions like the one made by ConAgra, will ultimately harm livestock farmers by pushing smaller farms that cannot afford these changes out of the livestock business forcing further consolidation. ”

“It is our sincere hope that future decisions by Nebraska-based companies relating to farm animal care practices will not occur without some engagement with the Nebraska farmers and ranchers who will most certainly feel the pinch of decisions made in board rooms that are removed from the day-to-day animal care practices on Nebraska farms and ranches.”



Cornstalk residue an opportunity for corn and beef producers to stretch forage supplies

This year’s drought has taken a significant toll on grazing land and hay supplies, two critical feed sources for Nebraska’s beef producers. As of Sept. 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 98 percent of Nebraska’s pasture and rangeland is in poor to very poor condition.

“Much of a beef cattle’s diet is forage, from calving through finishing, and cow-calf operations rely significantly on range and grazing land,” said Jon Holzfaster, a cattle and corn farmer from Paxton who is a member of the Nebraska Corn Board. “In total, beef cattle achieve 70 percent of their growth on forage, and years like this can dramatically limit hay supplies and raise prices for that forage.”

However, Holzfaster noted, there are opportunities for corn farmers to work with cattle producers to graze cattle on cornstalk residue left in the field after harvest or take advantage of baled cornstalk residue. Jim Ramm, a cattle producer from Atkinson and president of Nebraska Cattlemen, said cornstalks give cattle producers some much needed fall grazing or supplemental baled forage to stretch supplies.

“We’re encouraging cattle producers to consider the opportunity of cornstalk grazing because saving existing stored feedstuffs and hay supplies for winter feed is very important for making it through a drought,” Ramm said. “Cornstalk residue can be a good feed when managed properly, and we’re fortunate that the University of Nebraska has some great resources available.”

Rick Rasby, an Extension beef specialist with the University of Nebraska, said beef experts at the University continue to compile a drought resource webpage for beef producers at beef.unl.edu – just click on ‘Drought’ from the left-hand side of that page.

“Fact sheets, feeding recommendations, ammoniating opportunities for crop residue like cornstalks and more, are all collected on that page,” Rasby said. “There are also several short videos that discuss using cornstalk bales and links to webinars that provide additional details, ideas, and resources for managing forages during a drought.”

One of those webinars, titled “Cornstalk Grazing – Understanding the Values to Cattle Producers and Corn Farmers,” is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 12:30 to 1:10 p.m. Information about the webinar can be found at beef.unl.edu. It will be recorded and made available afterwards for cattle producers and corn famers who cannot view it live.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) said it is encouraging farmers with available cornstalks to work cooperatively with livestock producers to ensure access to as much quality forage as possible due to the ongoing drought conditions. Hay production, pastures and grasslands have all been greatly reduced as the fall and winter months approach.

“In light of the ongoing drought conditions, I’d like to encourage our farmers and ranchers to work together to ensure as much quality forage as possible is available to our beef cattle herds this fall and winter,” said NDA Director, Greg Ibach. “The department has created a Hay and Forage Hotline to assist farmers and ranchers in finding hay and forage products, and it is a good starting point for those seeking feedstuffs.”

The Hay and Forage Hotline can be found at www.agr.ne.gov. It lists hay and forage, including cornstalks and stover that is available either for sale or by donation. Those looking to list hay, forage, cornstalks and other feed sources such as silage can do so by calling 800-422-6692.

“We collectively appreciate the work by the University, NDA and others to spread the word on the programs, opportunities and partnerships that can happen not only this year but every year,” Holzfaster said. “Working together is what keeps agriculture strong in Nebraska.”



Heineman Meets with China Sister-State Delegation

Gov. Dave Heineman today met with an official delegation from the Shaanxi Providence, China, in the Nebraska State Capitol. The Governor and the Chinese delegation discussed current and future economic development and education collaboration.

“I am pleased to welcome our friends from our Sister-State, Shaanxi, to Nebraska,” said Gov. Dave Heineman. “Our ongoing communication and relationship is important to both China and Nebraska. There are many opportunities for our state and the Shaanxi Province that we are discussing, including business, educational and cultural connections. I know this delegation of special guests will enjoy their time in Nebraska, as we enjoyed our visit to Shaanxi in July.”

In July 2012, Gov. Heineman led the Governor’s Trade Mission to China, where he and his delegation ushered in a new era of Nebraska-China relations in Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi Provence. After years of economic development efforts, educational exchange and cross-cultural exchange, Gov. Heineman and Shaanxi Governor Zhengyoung Zhao signed a letter of intent to form a Sister-State relationship between the two states. Today’s meeting furthered those efforts.

Today’s meeting included Mr. Liu Yaming, Deputy Director-General of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office; Mr. Fan Fuhui, President of Shaanxi Information Industry General Survey Research Institute; Mr. Ma Ning, Director Assistant of the Investment Promotion Bureau of Xi’an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone; Ms. Yang Li, Shaanxi Delegation member; and Mr. Jiang Shuidong, Interpreter of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office, Sister Cities representative. The Governor’s meeting was also attended my members of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Governor’s Office.

Director of Economic Development Catherine Lang is officially hosting the group of government and business officials. Dir. Lang added, “By hosting these individuals in Nebraska, we are excited to share Nebraska with them first-hand. We are building economic development between our regions, and we are honored to host our guests in Nebraska.”

While on the Governor’s Trade Mission in July, Gov. Heineman and his delegation spent two days in Shaanxi. An inland province with a strong agricultural industry and rich history, Shaanxi and Nebraska share many similarities and relationships. Geographically, Shaanxi is near the center of China. Economically, Shaanxi is a strong province that has rapidly grown its economic ties with the U.S. during the last ten years.

Nebraska’s first Chinese investment came from Easyway International, located in Shaanxi Province and was a result of the 2008 Reverse Trade Mission. In addition to economic and geographic similarities, Nebraska and Shaanxi also share numerous educational and cultural ties. The Department of Economic Development and Sister-State Division of Shaanxi Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries are implementing the formal relationship.



Iowans among soybean partners celebrating AGP’s expanded facility at Grays Harbor

Several Iowa soybean leaders were among the unique set of partners who gathered in Aberdeen, Washington, for the Grand Opening of Ag Processing Inc.’s (AGP’s) expanded facility at the Port of Gray’s Harbor on September 13. The celebration marked a win-win situation for all who were represented: for the local community, many of whose officials were on hand; for AGP; for Pacific Rim customers; and for Midwest farmers, represented by several states’ soybean association leaders.

Iowans in the group included Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Directors Cliff Mulder from Pella and Tom Oswald of Cleghorn, as well as ISA Director of Market Development Grant Kimberley and Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek.

The event celebrated the completed construction of AGP’s new 3 million-bushel port terminal elevator, a concrete structure consisting of eight 350,000-bushel storage tanks and four 80,000-bushel shipping bins. The facility’s grain handling equipment has a capacity of 60,000 bushel s per hour.

Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Gary Nelson familiarized the group with the Port’s strategic location, just 1½ hours from the Pacific Ocean and closer to Asian customers than any other terminal in the Pacific Northwest. Frequent destinations are the Philippines, Malaysia and China.

Shipping soybeans from Grays Harbor to China takes 18 days, compared to the 35 it would take to travel from the Gulf of Mexico, or the 45 days it takes soybeans to reach China from Brazil, thus saving considerably on transportation costs.

AGP’s newly constructed storage facility is aimed to further speed up the process by expediting the loading of ships.  The goal is to have enough product on hand to load a full vessel with 50,000 to 55,000 tons when a ship arrives.

AGP Director of International Trade Chris Schaffer said, “This storage is tremendous for us. Previously, we had room for 400-500 train cars and the train had to stay until it was unloaded directly on a ship. Now trains are always coming and going.”

Since 2007, more than $200 million in private investments have been made in the port, with public funds of another $30-40 million. For example, as AGP spent $70 million on silos, the publicly owned Port invested in $18 million on rail improvements.

Mulder said, “The enormous joint expenditure between AGP on the private side and the port authority on the public side to put together this amazing infrastructure shows how government and industry can work together to fill a void. As farmers, this gives us another venue to sell our product. With time being of the essence in today’s world, it shortens the time it takes to get our product to the Asian market.”
Construction on the terminal began in August 2010, and the facility began receiving grain in December 2011.

General contractor for the project was Todd & Sargent, Inc., from Ames, Iowa. Two silos went up at a time, adding 12-15 inches an hour, with crews moving the forms up as they did a continuous pour, finishing two silos in 5.5 days.

Meanwhile, the Port of Grays Harbor invested in a second loop and additional track to make it possible for the AGP terminal to handle 400-600 covered hopper cars a week.
Port of Grays Harbor Deputy Executive Director Leonard Barnes, who is also Chamber president, expressed appreciation for what AGP has brought to his community. “AGP is our premier partner and awesome to work with. It’s interesting to think how we’re connected to both growers and buyers. We’re all partners.”

Schaffer, who manages AGP exports at the Port, echoed the sentiment. “We have an excellent relationship with the port management. Work happens seamlessly between the Port and AGP.”
The Port of Grays Harbor was founded in 1911 in a community that feels similar to a rural area, made up of three small towns with a combined population of about 24,000. In the early 2000s, the area was economically depressed, due to the decline of the logging industry.

The partnership began when AGP learned of underused docks and the availability of a rail loop with connection to both the Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific railroads via the shortline operator Puget Sound and Pacific (PSAP).

After several years, AGP realized the need for more permanent infrastructure to deal with increased demand from the Pacific Rim. For Asian ships, sitting in port waiting for trains was expensive. That need led to the construction of the new facility.

The Port of Grays Harbor now bustles with the export of thousands of cars each week, in addition to wood pulp, logs and more.

“Since 2007, our business has grown 500 percent,” says Barnes. “And that is while the rest of the country has had an economic downturn. This has happened by providing infrastructure for exports.”
With all the growth, Grays Harbor staff estimates that rail use may be at 25 to 30 percent of capacity.

“There’s a lot of room to grow,” says Barnes. “We look forward to doing that with AGP.”

Oswald observed, “What is really interesting that the turnaround for this port began with AGP. As Midwest farmers we’ve been assisting in that change, and it’s great to be part of that.”
For Pacific Rim customers beginning their annual harvest sampling tour through the Midwest, the stop at Grays Harbor was a bonus.

Zhijun Du is president of the Chinatex U.S. office. Chinatex is one of China’s three largest soybean crushers. He noted that the next two ships to be loaded at Grays Harbor would be for his company. “After today’s trip, we are very excited, and we have very strong confidence in AGP’s management—in the facilities, in their equipment and in the team,” he said. “Trade is not simple and to figure out our business with AGP is very good. Chinatex plans to continue to expand our business with AGP.”




US Ethanol Stocks, Production Ease

Domestic ethanol inventories eased last week after climbing during the prior two weeks, with total stocks drawn down 66,000 barrels (bbl) to 19.259 million bbl for the week-ended Sept. 21 data from the Energy Information Administration released Wednesday showed, placing stocks 1.9 million bbl, or 10.9%, above a year ago.

Production of ethanol by U.S. plants fell 25,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 3.0%, to 809,000 bpd last week, while down 3.8% compared to the year-ago level.

Implied demand, as measured by refiner and blender net inputs, rose 10,000 bpd, or 1.2%, to 819,000 bpd for the week-ended Sept. 21. Refiner and blender net inputs represent a major portion of implied demand for ethanol.

Elsewhere, the EIA reported that implied demand for motor gasoline rose last week by 139,000 bpd to 8.77 million bpd for the week-ended Sept. 21, while four-week average gasoline demand at 8.8 million bpd was down 1.0% from the consumption rate seen a year ago.



Cargill Sues Over Fake Biodiesel RINs

Biodiesel producer Cargill Inc. confirmed Wednesday it is suing a New York broker for selling Cargill 1.2 million fraudulent biodiesel Renewable Identification Numbers.  RINs are assigned to biofuels when the fuel is generated and can be sold separately for obligated parties -- refiners, blenders and importers -- to meet their annual Renewable Volume Obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The Environmental Protection Agency administers the RFS and has uncovered four companies selling fake RINs in 2010 and 2011.  In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York, Cargill said it bought the RINs from a New York broker in 2010.  Cargill was not fined and did not receive a notice of violation from the EPA for the fraudulent RINs.



Brazil Ramps Up Corn Exports in September

Brazilian corn exports have accelerated in September, adding weight to ideas that shipments could reach 17, 18 or 19 million metric tons (mmt) in the 2012-13 season (Feb-Jan).  Corn shipments totaled 2.37 mmt in the first three weeks of September, closing in on the 2.7 mmt shipped in the whole of August.  If this pace were maintained, monthly exports would reach a record 3.2 mmt this month.  A record second crop of around 38 mmt has allowed Brazil to step into the gap in the export market left by crop losses in Argentina and the U.S. As a result, the South American farm giant will probably be the world's No. 2 corn exporter this year.



IRS: Drought-Stricken Farmers Have Time to Replace Livestock

Farmers and ranchers who previously were forced to sell livestock due to drought, like the drought currently affecting much of the nation, have an extended period of time in which to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, the Internal Revenue Service announced.

Farmers and ranchers who, due to drought, sell more livestock than they normally would may defer tax on the extra gains from those sales. To qualify, the livestock generally must be replaced within a four-year period. The IRS is authorized to extend this period if the drought continues.

The one-year extension of the replacement period announced today generally applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes due to drought. Sales of other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting purposes, and poultry are not eligible.

The IRS is providing this relief to any farm located in a county, parish, city or district, listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought conditions by the National Drought Mitigation Center, during any weekly period between Sept. 1, 2011, and Aug. 31, 2012. All or part of 43 states are listed. Any county contiguous to a county listed by the NDMC also qualifies for this relief.

As a result, farmers and ranchers in these areas whose drought sale replacement period was scheduled to expire at the end of this tax year, Dec. 31, 2012, in most cases, will now have until the end of their next tax year. Because the normal drought sale replacement period is four years, this extension immediately impacts drought sales that occurred during 2008. But because of previous drought-related extensions affecting some of these localities, the replacement periods for some drought sales before 2008 are also affected. Additional extensions will be granted if severe drought conditions persist.

Details on this relief, including a list of NDMC-designated counties, are available in Notice 2012-62, posted today on IRS.gov. Details on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide, also available on the IRS web site.



USDA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Work to Boost Access to Farm Programs in Indian Country

Officials from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have signed two memorandums of understanding (MOU) designed to foster improved access to USDA and BIA programs by tribes and tribal members. The memorandums apply to programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development at USDA, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior (DOI). The MOUs will further improve the important government-to-government relationships and also the services offered between USDA, BIA and the tribal governments and the communities they serve.

"This agreement between USDA and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will help us increase efficiency, reduce redundancy and improve communications and services between our agencies and the tribes," said Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager. "These improvements will help to spur economic development, strengthen the communities and improve the lives of the people of Indian country."

"We look forward to working closely with USDA to serve Indian Country. American Indian farmers are a vital part of Tribal economies and the nation's agricultural industry. Agriculture is the backbone of the nation," BIA Director Mike Black said. "With these MOUs in place, we will be able to work with USDA and its programs as partners in helping American Indian farmers maintain their farms, strengthen the local tribal economies, and bring their produce to market for the benefit of all Americans, and the world."

"This partnership shows the important role tribal lands play in conservation stewardship in America," NRCS Chief Dave White said. "Landowners across the U.S., including those on tribal lands, contribute to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better homes for wildlife. This memorandum is one effort of many in which NRCS, BIA and Indian landowners and land users can join together to nurture a better landscape."

"The Farm Service Agency is eager to implement this agreement," said FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia. "We respect and honor the centuries of stewardship that the Indian tribes participating in our conservation and farm programs have shown for the land we all share. We are pleased to solidify our partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to conserve the soil, care for our water and air, and help the tribe's maximize their agricultural production."

The MOUs set up a framework for consultation, training, coordination, and the provision of technical assistance which will increase the amount of Indian land enrolled under USDA conservation and farm loan programs and improve service delivery on those lands. Farming and animal management, grazing, ranching and related food and agricultural operations will be supported through improved interdepartmental coordination. The MOUs, which are in place for five years, also support establishment of Native rural businesses, renewable energy development, and job creation. Additionally, the BIA will work with Rural Development to increase homeownership, home repair, and rehabilitation opportunities, and improve energy efficiency of homes on Indian lands through improved coordination of program delivery. Finally, the MOUs will complement the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) work with BIA to implement and administer the Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA) provision of the 2008 Farm Bill to increase affordability and availability of RUS-supported infrastructure on Indian lands.

The MOUs also help further the objectives of the Keepseagle settlement agreement, which resolved a lawsuit regarding past discrimination by USDA against Native American farmers and ranchers concerning its farm loan program.



ConAgra Food Reports Increased Sales

ConAgra Foods, one of North America's leading packaged food companies, has reported diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations of $0.61 in the the first quarter of the 2013 financial year, up 177 percent over $0.22 earned in the year-ago period.

Gary Rodkin, ConAgra Foods' chief executive officer, said: "We are very pleased with our strong start to fiscal 2013. Based on continued momentum in our potato operations, effective margin management initiatives across the portfolio, and contribution from acquisitions, we are able to post a strong EPS performance in the midst of difficult marketplace conditions.

"It is clear that our operating capabilities, strategic initiatives, and prudent capital allocation are accelerating EPS performance. We have raised our EPS expectations for fiscal 2013 while continuing to make strong levels of marketing investment as part of long-term brand building initiatives."

The Consumer Foods segment posted sales of $2,043 million and operating profit of $235 million for the first quarter. Sales increased eight percent, reflecting eight percent contribution from acquisitions.

Brands posting sales growth for the quarter include ACT II, Lightlife, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Ro Tel, Rosarita, Slim Jim, Wesson, and others.

Operating profit of $235 million grew 20 percent over $196 million in the year-ago period, as reported.

After adjusting for $7 million of net expense in the current period, and $16 million of net expense a year ago, from items impacting comparability, current-quarter operating profit of $242 million increased 14 percent over the comparable $212 million a year ago.



Monsanto Provides Royalty-Free Access to Biotech Innovations

Monsanto Company Tuesday announced that it will provide a royalty-free research license to the academic community and other non-profit research institutions to a newly issued US Patent related to the Agrobacterium transformation method.

Today's announcement, which is expected to benefit the academic community and other crop researchers, has the potential to further advance research and development of new technologies in key dicot crop plants. Dicot crops include major row crops such as soybeans, cotton and canola, as well as specialty crops such as alfalfa, potatoes, tomatoes and sugarbeets.

"We hope that access to one of the leading agricultural biotechnologies can further both the enablement and development of key agriculture solutions for farmers and consumers alike," said Robb Fraley, Chief Technology Officer for Monsanto Company and also one of the leading scientists behind this breakthrough discovery.

The Agrobacterium transformation process was first invented by Monsanto scientists in the early 1980s. Today, plant researchers around the world use several transformation methods to introduce novel trait technologies into crop plants -- some of the primary methods include the Agrobacterium transformation process and the biolistic transformation process. Through these methods and continued advancements in breeding, plant researchers have been able to develop crops with improved nutritional profiles, plants that can better mitigate the effects of drought, as well as other agronomic improvements such as herbicide-tolerance and insect-protection.

Fraley noted that the continued, successful development of crop products and novel agriculture technologies by both the public and private sector represents an important part of supporting the growing food, feed and fuel demands of our planet and its finite resources. Experts estimate that the agriculture sector will need to double food production to feed a growing global population estimated to be at 9 billion by mid-century.

Products developed through biotechnology have proven to be a valuable tool in protecting and advancing on-farm crop yields for farmers since their initial introduction in the mid-1990s and since that time have generated a number of secondary benefits beyond the farm.

In 2011, nearly 17 million farmers grew biotech crops on approximately 400 million acres in 29 countries around the world. From 1996 to 2010, ISAAA experts note that biotech crops have supported an increase in crop production estimated at US$78.4 billion and supported the alleviation of poverty by improving the productivity or income of millions of small-holder farmers. A recent summary report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Commission Joint Research Centre highlighted that "models estimate that world food price increases would be significantly higher in the absence of [the] cultivation [of biotech crops], by 10 percent to 30 percent depending on the crop and the underlying assumptions." The JRC-FAO report noted that these "price effect benefits all consumers globally through trade."

"Royalty-free access to research tools like the Agrobacterium transformation process is critical for solving important global agricultural problems, establishing industry-academia collaborations, and training students," said David Conrad, executive director of NUtech Ventures, a nonprofit organization responsible for building partnerships between the University of Nebraska and the private sector. "We applaud Monsanto for this initiative and encourage other agribusiness companies to adopt a similar approach within the academic and non-profit sectors."

This week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued patent claims to Monsanto for this enabling technology following its original filing in 1983. With the patent's issuance, Monsanto wanted to underscore its support for the advancement of public sector research that can continue to deliver improved crops that are critically important for food security and our world's growing demands. Interested parties can access a downloadable request form for the royalty-free research license on the company's Facebook site at: www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, on Monsanto's website at www.monsanto.com or by contacting the company at: partnering@monsanto.com.

Monsanto remains committed to broadly licensing its seed, trait and enabling technologies to support research and commercial developments that benefit farmers and the customers they serve. Monsanto's Agrobacterium transformation technology has been previously licensed to other major technology developers for commercial purposes. The company noted it will continue to make commercial licenses available for this enabling technology as it has proven so beneficial to advancing innovation in global agriculture.

The company has a long-standing commitment of supporting partnerships and research collaborations with public agricultural researchers around the world. Monsanto's work is aimed at improving crops important for food security; providing advice on environmental stewardship and information on food safety; as well as providing access and licenses to patented technologies. Many of these partnerships are particularly important in developing countries, including cassava, corn, mustard, papaya potato, rice and sweet potato.



EFSA Will Soon Publish GM Corn Study

The European Food Safety Authority said Wednesday it will publish next week a preliminary review of a study which alleges a genetically engineered corn made by Monsanto Co. (MON) causes cancer.

The EFSA said a multi-disciplinary task force will analyze the paper from the University of Caen in France and publish an initial scientific review as the first step in a two-stage process.

If information gaps are identified, the EFSA said will then contact the authors with a request for further details of the methodology used in the two-year study.

It said this material would contribute to a more comprehensive assessment that the EFSA will publish in coming weeks as the second part of its evaluation.

The study published last week in the Food and Chemical Toxicology scientific review, found that rats fed for two years on Monsanto's NK603 corn, grown with or without the company's Roundup brand glyphosate weedkiller, developed more tumors and other severe diseases than a control group fed regular corn. The study also found that rats exposed to Roundup exhibited more disease symptoms than the test group.

The researchers recommended conducting more studies to evaluate toxic effects of genetically modified crops on humans, especially when combined with a weedkiller. NK603, which Monsanto sells as Roundup Ready corn, is resistant to the weedkiller. Monsanto markets the two products together as a weed-control strategy for farmers.

The EFSA said it will work in close cooperation with member state food safety agencies throughout the process, with the matter being raised with national representatives at its Advisory Forum meeting this week.

It added that the group of EFSA scientists from the GMO, pesticide and scientific assessment units may call upon additional external expertise if needed.

The European Commission asked the EFSA to look into the study's findings and it has been asked to consider their significance as part of its ongoing remit to monitor scientific developments in its field.