The timing was coincidence. In London for the 2013 International Grains Council (IGC) Grains Conference, U.S. Grains Council Chairman Julius Schaaf and President and CEO Tom Sleight were greeted by an unexpected headline in the London Independent previewing a major policy address endorsing agricultural biotechnology.

The speech, delivered by UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, was ultimately delivered on June 20, and may be read in its entirety here:

http://www.biofortified.org/2013/06/paterson-speech-uk-must-lead-the-world-in-gm-crops/

“This was a welcome reminder that political attitudes in Europe about biotechnology are not as one-sided as we sometimes think,” said Schaaf. “There are important voices in Europe expressing concern about the EU being left behind, and acknowledging the important environmental, economic, and food security benefits of modern agricultural technology. This is a discussion we want to encourage.”

The article noted that 61 percent of farmers in the United Kingdom say that they would like to grow genetically modified crops. According to a recent poll, public opinion in the United Kingdom is split 21 percent in favor of the technology, 35 percent opposed and the rest undecided.

“The politics of this issue are still tough,” noted Sleight, “and no one expects big changes in the EU to happen quickly. But as discussions ramp up on T-TIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), it is very important that the pro-biotech perspective gets a fair hearing. The evidence is overwhelming, if we can get past the fear-mongering.”

Earlier this month, USGC, National Corn Growers Association, ABRAMILHO and MAIZAR announced the launch of MAIZALL, an alliance among the national corn producer organizations in the United States, Argentina and Brazil. MAIZALL’s objective is to advance global food security through trade, a goal which includes reductions arbitrary trade barriers and improved international understanding and acceptance of modern agricultural technology. Schaaf was elected by the delegates of the four participating organizations as the first President of MAIZALL.

“The producer perspective on biotechnology is important,” Schaaf said, “and we had good opportunities to share our views in London, and again in Brussels, which we visited briefly after the IGC Conference to meet with EU agricultural and government leaders. Secretary Paterson’s very welcome remarks are just one more confirmation that at least some major players in the EU are rethinking their stance. That is a process that MAIZALL intends to encourage.”