Roy Blunt: “Mr. Chairman, let me further say that America's farmers and food processors deserve action, not just continued talk as…”

“Mr. Chairman, let me further say that America's farmers and food processors deserve action, not just continued talk as my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) and my friend, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) have already pointed out, there are many studies going on. We are losing an estimated $200 million a year in corn sales and as many millions in other ag exports. How can we justify spending taxpayers' money, including the tax money that our farmers pay on a process that promises to keep them out of the market or more likely promises to keep them twisting in the wind. Mr. Chairman, the safety of agricultural biotechnology has been firmly established. Our own Agriculture Secretary, Dan Glickman, has stated that, quote, our best science is to search for risk. Without exception the biotech products on our shelves have proven safe, and millions of people worldwide have consumed biotech foods without a single adverse incident. Furthermore, respected scientific and policy-oriented organizations, along with renowned scientists and humanitarians have lined up in favor of agricultural biotechnology. They advocate for a process that is increasing crop yields, creating nutritious crops that promise to improve the health and welfare of millions. These crops are raised in an environmentally safe and friendly way.”