Swine raisers endorse Bt corn
June 1, 2003 | 12:00am
The National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) came out recently with its endorsement of the "adoption of biotechnology as a national strategy in impro-ving agricultural productivity and attaining global cutting edge savvy."
In a resolution signed by 16 associations in hog farming and allied concerns across the country, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn gets its endorsement as one of the most essential inputs in feed milling for livestock and poultry.
In the resolution, the federation reiterated its support of the country’s resolve in the commercialization of biotechnology and importation of products of the technology to ensure the country’s food sufficiency program.
The controversial Bt corn is the subject of a tug-of-war between some farmers’ organizations and the government. The former wants the program stopped immediately while the latter is for the study to go on unhampered. Proponents cite countries such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, China, South Africa, Mexico, India and Uruguay whose use of the biotechnology has proven the safety features and productivity of Bt corn.
Says NFHFI chairman Neme-sio Co: "The application of bio-technology, in corn production especially, assures better incomes among farmers, feed millers and food producers. It enhances product yield and quality by reducing insecticide use against corn borers and other insects and diseases in farms."
Adds NFHFI president Albert Lim Jr.: "Agricultural biotech-nology will set the stage for the acceleration of agricultural deve-lopment and production en-hancement. This agenda will dramatically uplift food security and diversification of agricul-tural endeavors for export."
Section 3 of Republic Act 8435 (the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) pro-vides for the modernization of agricultural sectors from resource-based to technology-based indus-try. By way of a policy statement dated July 16, 2000, the Office of the President, recognized the potential of biotechnology as one of several means to achieve and sustain food productivity and security. — RmaE
In a resolution signed by 16 associations in hog farming and allied concerns across the country, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn gets its endorsement as one of the most essential inputs in feed milling for livestock and poultry.
In the resolution, the federation reiterated its support of the country’s resolve in the commercialization of biotechnology and importation of products of the technology to ensure the country’s food sufficiency program.
The controversial Bt corn is the subject of a tug-of-war between some farmers’ organizations and the government. The former wants the program stopped immediately while the latter is for the study to go on unhampered. Proponents cite countries such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, China, South Africa, Mexico, India and Uruguay whose use of the biotechnology has proven the safety features and productivity of Bt corn.
Says NFHFI chairman Neme-sio Co: "The application of bio-technology, in corn production especially, assures better incomes among farmers, feed millers and food producers. It enhances product yield and quality by reducing insecticide use against corn borers and other insects and diseases in farms."
Adds NFHFI president Albert Lim Jr.: "Agricultural biotech-nology will set the stage for the acceleration of agricultural deve-lopment and production en-hancement. This agenda will dramatically uplift food security and diversification of agricul-tural endeavors for export."
Section 3 of Republic Act 8435 (the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) pro-vides for the modernization of agricultural sectors from resource-based to technology-based indus-try. By way of a policy statement dated July 16, 2000, the Office of the President, recognized the potential of biotechnology as one of several means to achieve and sustain food productivity and security. — RmaE
BrandSpace Articles
<
>
- Latest
Latest
