U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) support the eventual commercialization of biotech wheat. USW works with industry partners to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the concerns of our overseas customers. Our Wheat Industry Biotechnology Position Statement guides this work.

Biotechnological research holds great promise for the future, and the U.S. wheat industry recognizes these advancements. In preparation for the future commercialization of biotechnologically-derived wheat, we take the following positions:

1. We support and will work to ensure the ability of wheat producers to make planting and marketing choices based on economic, agronomic, and market factors.
2. We support the ability of our wheat customers to make purchases on the basis of specific traits. We commit ourselves to the principle that our customers’ needs are vitally important.
3. We support and will assist in the development by all segments of the industry of an orderly marketing system to assure delivery of non-transgenic wheat within reasonable tolerances to markets that require it.
4. We urge the adoption of a nationally and internationally accepted definition of biotechnologically-derived products1. We also urge international harmonization of scientific standards and trade rules.
5. We support voluntary labeling of food products derived from biotech ingredients provided it is consistent with U.S. law and international trade agreements and is truthful and not misleading. We oppose federal or state mandated labeling of products based solely on the method of production, including foods derived from biotech ingredients, if they do not differ materially from their non-biotech counterparts.
6. We support establishing low level presence (LLP2) policies for trade of wheat intended for food, feed and processing that are predictable, science-based and consistent with international guidelines. A workable LLP threshold should incorporate biological and logistical realities. We support a 5% LLP threshold on a trait specific basis as a reasonable level to achieve a cost-effective approach. We further encourage governments to establish synchronized approval policies of biotech traits to minimize trade disruptions of biotech products.
7. We are confident that biotechnology will deliver significant consumer and producer benefits and we support continued biotechnology research, and product and market development. We invite valued and interested customers to join with us in a working partnership to explore the emerging biotechnology industry.

View the complete statement and relevant definitions.

The U.S. wheat industry recognizes the benefits and value for the wheat supply chain through the prudent application of modern biotechnology. After a thorough review and development of a commercialization plan that facilitates commercialization with minimal market disruption, U.S. wheat producers will support the commercialization of transgenic wheat traits. We support the ability of our customers to make purchases based on their preferences for specific traits, classes, qualities, and characteristics. We will work diligently to ensure that commercially achievable customer preferences are met. Read our Principles of Commercialization.

In 2009, nine organizations representing wheat farmers and millers from the United States, Canada and Australia voiced support for the future commercialization of biotechnology in wheat. Additional organizations joined in 2014 to reconfirm and update that commitment, emphasizing the importance of customer choice. Read the “Trilateral Statement” here.