U.S. corn quality and biotechnology issues highlighted the discussion today as a Chinese delegation of provincial State Administration of Grain (SAG) officials visited the U.S. Grains Council’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. Council board member Chip Councell of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, was able to join the meeting and provide a farmer’s perspective on the practical and environmental benefits of biotechnology.

“This visit was scheduled long before the current biotech developments in China,” said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight, “but it was a great opportunity to bring the team up to date on the key role that biotechnology plays in U.S. agriculture today.”

The Council visit was part of an extensive itinerary that had taken the Chinese team to meet with a variety of government and industry leaders in Washington. The Council visit started with USGC Manager of Global Trade Alvaro Cordero presenting the findings of the 2013/2014 Corn Harvest Quality Report. Following the presentation Sleight discussed the group’s concerns as well as their thoughts on biotechnology.

SAG’s key concerns were corn quality, storage issues, and heavy metal contamination. In response to a question, the SAG team also acknowledged that the issue of biotechnology is extremely difficult right now in China. Councell responded with a U.S. producer’s perspective.

“I’ve planted GM varieties on my farm since 1996,” Councell said, “and I was able to report that this has significantly reduced insect damage, improved storage because we’re now storing healthier corn, and dramatically reduced chemical usage. It seemed clear from the follow-up questions that the message got through. Biotechnology isn’t just about increasing yield; it’s about improving quality as well.”

The Council continues to be engaged with Chinese officials and industry leaders at all levels regarding the evolving status of biotech approvals. While the SAG group is concerned with more issues than just biotechnology, they will return to China with a much stronger appreciation of the role that biotechnology plays in increasing both quality and yield.