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                      US Wheat Exports Are Under Scrutiny

   Japan and South Korea are suspending some imports of U.S. wheat after
   American agriculture officials discovered a field of unapproved
   genetically modified wheat, while the European Union is calling for
   tests on shipments to its 27 countries.
   A South Korean food safety official said Friday if the genetically
   altered grain is found, it would be banned for distribution in the
   Asian nation.
   "If detected, all of those would be recalled. As they are banned for
   distribution and import in South Korea, we would recall."
   Japanese and South Korean officials moved to suspend the imports after
   the U.S. officials discovered the genetically modified wheat growing in
   a 32-hectare field in (the northwestern state of) Oregon. The EU said
   it called for tests to make sure that the continent`s "zero tolerance"
   for genetically modified crops is enforced.
   How the wheat ended up in the Oregon field remains a mystery. The
   strain of wheat was developed by the U.S.-based Monsanto agriculture
   products company to resist its Roundup herbicide, but field trials
   ended nine years ago.
   Genetically altered corn and soybeans are grown regularly, but mostly
   consumed by animals. No genetically altered wheat has been approved in
   the U.S. for commercial production.
   Genetically altering crops can increase their resistance to droughts
   and pests, but critics of the modifications say they can introduce
   toxins or reduce their nutrients.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-wheat-exports-are-under-scrutiny/1
   672630.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-wheat-exports-are-under-scrutiny/1672630.html