June 20, 2001 -- Europeans tend to think the United States only sends genetically modified corn overseas and keeps non-biotech corn at home. That was one of the myths a six-member team of representatives from the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) and U.S. Grains Council worked to dispell during a six-day mission to Europe, where they discussed trade issues and biotechnology with European Union (EU) officials.

Myths surrounding biotechnology presented a primary obstacle during the meetings, says Rick Tolman, NCGA chief executive. "One of the myths is the United States only sends biotech corn overseas and we only use
non-biotech," he said. "We want them to know the U.S. is customer-friendly when it comes to trade. We want to send the message we can send the right product for the right market.

"We must continue to release accurate information," Tolman continued. "Again, when they heard U.S. farmers talk about how they lived on the land they farmed and would not farm anything that's going to hurt their land or their
families, it was a positive message that was received well by our hosts."

The six-person NCGA/USGC team visited Brussels, Rotterdam, Geneva and Paris, meeting with corn coproduct importers, EU officials, World Trade Organization (WTO) ambassadors, European news media, consumer
groups and leaders of the French Corn Growers Association, among others.