South Korea finds no genetically modified wheat

South Korea finds no genetically modified wheat

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The initial result of South Korea’s enhanced testing of U.S. wheat exports has turned up negative for genetically modified wheat. South Korea ramped up its testing after the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered an unlicensed strain of Monsanto’s genetically modified wheat in an Oregon field. Read more be clicking “Unlicensed Monsanto GM-Wheat Found in Oregon”.

A Korean official said that while the preliminary test results show no genetically modified wheat was found, authorities are proceeding with caution and plan to continue to test wheat imported from the United States. 

In 2012, South Korea imported half of its wheat imports (5 million tones) from the U.S. No genetically modified wheat has been approved for agricultural use in the United States or in any other part of the world.

Japan and the European Union have halted all wheat exports coming from the Pacific Northwest, Unites States. Several other Asian countries have also ramped up testing.