"The current EU moratorium on genetically-modified products has translated into an annual loss of over $300 million in corn exports alone for U.S. farmers. More disturbing is the recent trend in Africa, where several nations have rejected U.S. food aid because the shipments contained biotech corn. This is based solely on the fear that EU countries will not accept their food exports if genetically modified seeds spread to domestic crops," explained Speaker Hastert.

Rep. Johnson added, “Children from Africa are starving and the U.S. farm economy is suffering because the European Union, for five years now, has maintained a moratorium on trading agricultural biotechnology.  Officials there have offered no sound argument, but have only justified their trade ban on prejudice and misinformation – not sound science.”

Malnourishment in the developing world affects more than 800 million people and more than 100 million go hungry each day, the panel of experts agreed during participation in the subcommittee hearing.  Leaders from private sector agricultural companies and biotech researchers from the science community alike joined the bipartisan delegation of House Members in their demand for dissolution of “bogus” trade barriers.  Rep. Johnson and Speaker Hastert received unwavering support from Subcommittee Chairman Nick Smith (R-MI), Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-CA) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

The University of Illinois, a world leader in biotech research applauded Vice Chairman Johnson and the Research Subcommittee on highlighting the need for expanded trade of U.S. biotech commodities.  “Biotechnology offers tremendous potential for humankind.  Science on our campus and others is providing critical and timely answers to concerns about food safety,” said Dean Robert Easter from the U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

Rep. Johnson noted, “The U of I boasts world-class scientists and researchers in agriculture and biotechnology.  If we are successful in knocking down the EU trade moratorium on U.S. biotech exports, obviously, institutions like the U of I will stand to reap great benefits and I will continue to be their strongest advocate on Capitol Hill.”

Earlier this week, Rep. Johnson was in the overwhelming majority of the House to vote in favor of H. Res. 252 which supports and applauds the efforts of the Administration on behalf of the Nation's farmers and sound science by challenging the long-standing, unwarranted moratorium imposed in the European Union on agriculture and food biotech products. The bill also encourages the President to continue to press this issue.