Wheat Leader on USDA

Biotech Advisory Committee

Duane Grant, an Idaho farmer and and a member of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates’ Biotechnology Committee, is among 18 people appointed by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to the USDA’s new Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. Appointees will serve one- or two-year terms, and may be reappointed to serve up to six consecutive years.

“This committee will take a forward look at agriculture biotechnology and will serve as an important resource as USDA addresses emerging issues related to this field,” said Veneman. The committee is charged with examining the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and providing guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture.

Members represent the biotechnology industry, the seed industry, farmers, environmental and consumer organizations, academia and international plant research centers, the food industry, product shippers and traders.