GE -Biofuels/ Non Food Use

[GEN lists <genetics@gn.apc.org>]

1 Cargill Dow Polymers, with foreword by NLP Wessex
2Corn Becomes Plastic at Huge New Nebraska Factory - ENS
3CLINTON WANTS TO BOOST SPENDING ON BIOFUELS  - Reuters
4CLINTON-BIOTECHNOLOGY  - Associated Press
5Minutes of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic
and
Non-Food Products, DG 24
61999 - Year in Review: Ten Most Influential Agri-Fiber Developments Ag Fiber
Technology News,  including GE/non GE



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1.
We are grateful to Norman John of New Zealand for forwarding the interesting 
article below about the establishment by Cargill Dow Polymers of a major 
processing plant in the US for the production of non-fossil fuel derived 
plastics in the US. The plastics are to be made from corn (maize). 
Significantly Cargill Dow state that no biotechnology is involved in 
creating the new plastic from corn.
This article raises a number of important biotechnology issues in relation 
to the 'need' or otherwise to use genetically modified crops to encourage 
raw material (ie non-food) production from renewable resources including:
1) This development is a particular exposure of the bogus nature of claims 
that we 'must' have GM crops to promote the creation of renewable resources 
for industrial use to replace fossil fuels - just as the arguments that we 
must have GM crops to feed the world in a sustainable way are also proving 
bogus (see: www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/geneticsmyth.htm ).
2) Because the biotechnology industry is rapidly losing the argument over 
the need for GM crops to feed the world, in desperation it is rapidly 
turning towards pretending (again with false claims) that GM crops are 
essential for the global production of raw materials from renewable sources.
3) There was particularly devious example of this last year when Monsanto 
did a media splash concerning their 'development' of a biodegradable plastic 
from GM oilseed rape (canola). However, follow up investigations (CHICAGO, 
Sept 28 (Reuters) ) revealed that the technology was non-viable and infact 
Monsanto had no plans to commercialise it. (Interestingly Greenpeace have 
already promoted the world's first non-PVC credit card, made from Monsanto's 
own bio-degradable, non-GM plastic!!!!!!! see: 
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_468000/468219.stm )

<<<<<<<<< INSERT FROM GEN, Greenpeace, in conjunction with the Co-op Bank,
started promoting this alternative to PVC, and subsequently, the company
manufacturing the bioplastic was bought by Monsanto>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In other words, Monsanto had merely run a spin exercise to try and dupe the 
world into believing that we have to have this technology to manage global 
resources more sustainably. They had been forced to try this new tack 
because of effective defeat on the GM food issue in a number of important 
global markets. (For another example of the way Monsanto dishonestly try to 
manipulate 'sustainability' issues to promote GM crops see: 
(http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/monsanto_sustainabilty.htm ) 
.
4) The article below demonstrates that major developments can take place in 
developing renewable resources for industrial products from agricultural 
crops without the need to use GM technology.
5) By contrast attempts recently reported by the John Innes Institute to 
genetically engineer oilseed rape (canola) to produce a new oil aimed at 
serving the detergents and polymers markets resulted instead in the plant 
generating enzymes to degrade the new product in the plant - and what's more 
nobody knows why.
"During the past two years, there has been an increasing recognition of the 
complexity of the metabolic pathways involved in seed oil biosynthesis 
....These results indicated that, although the transgene was expressed at 
high levels and was able to direct the biosynthesis of petroselinic acid, 
additional factors in the transgenic plants resulted in the breakdown of the 
novel fatty acid and largely negated the activity of the transgene.... Why 
do the transgenic rapeseed plants break down this novel fatty acid?" p.44 - 
45 John Innes Centre 1998/99 Annual Report).
(For more information on the unscientific approach to the introduction of GM 
crops generally see www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/eagmconf.htm .)
5) The Cargill Dow plant in question is due to come on stream 2001, and is 
therefore clearly not dependent on the supply of corn crops which have been 
specifically genetically engineered for the purpose of plastic production.
6) Given that both Cargill and Dow have major investment in or links with 
biotechnology it is significant that they should have also specifically 
indicated that no biotechnology is involved in creating the new plastic from 
corn. This would appear to be an acknowledgement that the public do not 
wish to see the use of such technology even in non-food products, and also 
that such use is unneccesary.
7) It is not clear, however, whether the Cargill Dow plant will be accepting 
corn varieties that have already been genetically modified for other 
purposes unrelated to the production of plastic, such as Bt crops which are 
intended to control pests on the farm. (Bt varieties are the main GM crop 
grown by US corn growers. Research repeatedly shows - see 
http://www.netlink.de/gen/Zeitung/2000/000105.html - that these crops do 
not produce an economic benefit to farmers in most years so there should be 
no difficulty in Cargill Dow insisting that their farmers supply them only 
with non-GM corn for the plastics plant.)
8) Many consumers and environmentalists will be concerned to ensure that GM 
crops are not accepted by the new Cargill Dow plastics plant for various 
reasons including:
* encouraging the use of GM corn crops as a supply for the plant will 
increase the chances of the food chain becoming contaminated in the 
rocess - either through cross pollination with neigbouring non-GM crops or 
through human error allowing mixing within the distribution chain with food 
varieties.
(For instances of this type of human error with GM crops see: 
http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/NewsNov-Dec97/GENews12-4beetmistake.html 
and http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/canola.htm . Also Note: 
Because Bt GM corn is classified as a pesticide (!) astonishingly it has 
by-passed the application of food safety regulations by the US Food and Drug 
Administration even though Bt comes from a family of proteins (lectins) some 
members of which are known to be toxic to mamals).
* the environmental impact of current GM corn crops is not specifically 
dependent on their end use, food or industrial. New uses for existing GM 
crops will not help reduce their environmental impact which may adversely 
affect beneficial insects or soil micro-organisms important to soil 
fertility.
9) Finally at the 1998 annual conference of British Association for the 
Advancement of Science in Cardiff a paper was presented by Professor Dennis 
Murphy of the Brassicas and Oilseeds department of the John Innes Centre. 
Professor Murphy is a global expert on the development of oilseed varieties 
for industrial uses.
He has identified the possiblity of rapidly developing new varieties without 
the use of genetic modification using the new knowledge which is being 
provided by gene-mapping or "genomics". Refering to this approach, Farmers 
Weekly commented 11 September 1998: 'oilseed crops can replace oil from 
non-renewable fossil sources and genetically modified crops need not play 
any role in the revolution'.
This would mean sticking with conventional plant breeding techniques but 
being able to use them more effectively.
According to Professor Murphy, 'This approach could enhance agricultural 
diversity and supply us with valuable, renewable products for as long as the 
sun shines on the earth.' According to Farmers Weekly Professor Murphy 
pointed out that moving away from GM crops would also solve environmental 
concerns, concluding: 'This is a novel strategy that is not widely 
appreciated as yet. But it could provide a real alternative to the use of 
GMOs." 
............................................................................ 
............................................................................ 
.........................
IN SUMMARY - there are variety of options when it comes to providing 
renewable resources for industry from farm crops, and the use of GM elements 
is not necessary.
The reason that biotechnology companies try to promote the GM option in 
this, as in all, sectors (food, industry, and medicine) is because of the 
associated intellectual property rights and the resulting control these 
legal rights give them over their competitors, suppliers and customers, 
particularly farmers.
"Farmers will be given just enough to keep them interested in growing the 
crops, but no more. And GM companies and food processors, will say very 
clearly how they want the growers to grow the crops."
(Friedrich Vogel, head of BASF's crop protection business - Farmers Weekly 6 
November 1998)
NATURAL LAW PARTY WESSEX 
nlpwessex@bigfoot.com 
www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex 
===================================================================
2
Corn Becomes Plastic at Huge New Nebraska Factory 
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jan2000/2000L-01-11-01.html

NEW YORK, New York, January 11, 2000 (ENS) - The kernel of a new industry 
for America's heartland is a first of its kind factory that will make the 
raw material of plastic cups, packaging and fabric from corn, not petroleum.
Cargill Dow Polymers, a joint venture between Cargill Incorporated and The 
Dow Chemical Company, today leapfrogged over other plant based plastics 
companies by announcing plans to build a "world-scale facility" in Blair, 
Nebraska to manufacture plastic products from corn.
Companies have been experimenting for years with plant based plastics as 
replacements for petroleum based plastics with their toxic byproducts, 
wastes and inability to break down in landfills.
Cargill Dow Polymers (CDP) has stepped into the lead by offering a family of 
durable plastics derived entirely from annually renewable agricultural crops 
that can compete with hydrocarbon based fibers and packing materials in cost 
and performance. Cargill and Dow plan to invest more than $300 million in 
the business and production facility.
A new technology will use natural plant sugars from corn to make a 
"proprietary" polylactide (PLA) polymers for fibers, plastic packaging and 
other products. Future applications of the technology could include 
injection blow molded bottles, foams, emulsions and chemical intermediaries.
This new technology allows the company to "harvest" the carbon that living 
plants remove from the air through photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in plant 
starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. The carbon and 
other elements in these natural sugars are then used to make NatureWorkstm 
PLA, which will be made into utensils, packaging or fibers for cloth adn 
carpeting.
The new CDP plant will be located at the site of Cargill's corn wet milling 
plant at Blair. It is expected to come on stream in late 2001 with an annual 
capacity of 140,000 metric tons of NatureWorks PLA polymers.
"The decision to locate at Blair was based on a number of factors, including 
the availability of natural plant sugars needed to make PLA, proximity to 
existing Cargill operations, easy access to railroads and freeways and an 
excellent pool of people qualified to train for high value jobs as 
operations technicians," said Jim Stoppert, CDP president and CEO.
Approximately 200 people will be employed in the construction of the CDP 
plant, which will be operated by a staff of about 100 people.
Cargill's corn wet milling division produces about 600,000 tons of Sweet 
Bran® 60, 100,000 tons of corn gluten meal, 50,000 tons of corn oil, 1.5 
billion pounds of high fructose corn sweeteners, and 70 million gallons of 
fuel grade ethanol.
Cargill’s new Bioscience Division in Blair is working on genetically 
engineered technologies "to enhance food and people’s health," Cargill said 
in a statement in May 1999. No biotechnology is involved in creating the new 
plastic from corn, Stoppert said today.
William Stavropoulos, president and CEO of Dow, said, "What's exciting about 
this technology is its multitude of applications and the fact that plastics 
can come from renewable resources such as corn," Stavropoulos said.
"NatureWorks polymers offer the opportunity to develop truly sustainable 
products, and because we are using raw material that can be regenerated year 
after year, it is cost competitive and environmentally responsible," said 
Stavropoulos.
CDP currently has the capacity to manufacture more than 4,000 tons of PLA 
per year at a plant near Minneapolis, and plans to double that capacity 
during 2000. In addition, it expects to begin construction of a large scale 
European plant in two years.

© Environment News Service (ENS) 2000. All Rights Reserved.

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3
CLINTON WANTS TO BOOST SPENDING ON BIOFUELS 
January 14, 2000 
Reuters 
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton on Thursday proposed more than doubling 
federal spending on development of new technologies that use crops, corn 
stalks and trees to make cleaner, renewable fuels for cars and buildings. 
The White House said Clinton's Fiscal Year 2001 budget request to Congress 
would propose an increase of more than $240 million over the 2000 budget for 
such efforts, with $49 million earmarked for the Department of Energy (DOE) 
and $194 million for the Agriculture Department. 
"This initiative will increase the viability of alternative energy sources, 
help meet environmental challenges like global warming, support farm 
incomes, and diversify and strengthen the rural economy," the White House 
said in a memorandum. 
Clinton in August stepped up a federal drive to use crops, grasses and trees 
to develop fuels such as ethanol, electricity and industrial products, 
aiming to triple their use by 2010. That would help meet Clinton's goal to 
have 7.5 percent of U.S. electricity to come from renewable energy sources 
by 2010. 
Congress approved a budget of $196 million for similar efforts in 2000. 
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman welcomed the proposed funding increase, 
saying it marked a "significant" advance over the initiative announced in 
August. 
"During these difficult times in American agriculture, farmers need all the 
new market opportunities they can get," Glickman said in a statement. "This 
kind of diversification will not only help protect our environment, it will 
also strengthen the farm and rural economy." 
The administration said its goal was "making biomass a viable competitor to 
fossil fuels as an energy source and chemical feedstock," building on 
fermentation and gasification and other biomass-related activities currently 
funded by DOE. 
The White House last summer said adoption of the fledgling biomass industry 
could mean up to $20 billion in new farm income, less reliance on oil 
imports and less risk of global warming. 
At present, biomass accounts for three percent of U.S. energy use, mostly in 
the wood industry and in ethanol distilled from corn as a clean-fuel 
additive. 
If the goal of tripling biomass use is met, it would equal 348 million 
barrels of oil a year, equal to 158 super tankers, the White House said in 
August. Emission of greenhouse gases would drop by 100 million tons, the 
amount emitted by 70 million cars.
=============================================
4
CLINTON-BIOTECHNOLOGY 
January 14, 2000 
The Associated Press 
KEVIN GALVIN 
WASHINGTON -- US President Clinton wants, according to this story, a $243 
million increase in funding next year for developing technologies that turn 
trees, plants and animal waste into energy and environmentally friendly 
products. 
The story notes that the president's proposed 2001 budget will ask Congress 
for a total $439 million to fund research and grants to aid the production 
of "bioenergy" and other products, such as plastics and chemicals, from 
agricultural waste. 
The story says that the plan, outlined in a White House document obtained 
Thursday by The Associated Press, follows up on an August executive order 
creating an interagency council to promote bio-technologies and, hopefully, 
reduce U.S. oil demand and protect the environment. 
Roger Ballantine, an adviser to the president on environmental issues, was 
cited as pointing to an announcement by Cargill Inc. and Dow Chemical Co. 
that they would begin producing plastics made from corn rather than 
petroleum as a harbinger of things to come, adding that, "It's going to 
revolutionize both the farming industry, in that you're talking about 
another huge source of demand for farm products‹but even more specifically 
the impact it can have environmentally."
============================================
5 - Minutes of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the Scientific 
Committee on Cosmetic and Non-Food Products, 
Brussels, 30 September 1999
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/sccp/out100_en.html
================================================== 
6
1999 - Year in Review: Ten 
Most Influential Agri-Fiber 
Developments 
Posted by Peter A. Nelson, Ag Fiber Technology 
News, Vol. 2, No. 1, Issue 25 on January 6, 2000
Interface is developing many 
revolutionary processes including the 
introduction in June of 2000 a line of 
natural fiber carpet made from 
industrial hemp and other agri-fibers.
Pubdate: 1/6/99 Throughout the course of 1999, the 
following 10 areas of development appeared to be the 
most consequential in relation to the emerging agri-fiber 
industry. Agri-fibers include Abaca, bagasse, corn stover, 
flax, industrial hemp, kenaf, rice straw, Switchgrass and 
wheat straw; with potential markets as varied as 
composites, specialty pulps, plastics and non-wovens. 
I have summarized the year's significant events, based on 
their ability to give us a perspective on trends that will 
likely be relevant in the future, while showing sustained 
growth and strength in 1999. In all cases, I have tried to 
portray direct relevance to the agri-fiber industry, while 
providing both the negatives and the positives as they 
occurred. All 10 developments are considered equally 
important, although I personally think that the internet 
has probably been the most influential and beneficial to 
the industry. 
1. Internet 
Since the mid-1990s, the internet and its use in 
marketing and business communication, has grown 
significantly on an annual basis. In October of 1999, Ag 
Fiber Technology News reported that a total of 29 
percent of U.S. farms had internet access in 1998 
versus 13 percent in 1997. In addition, 77 percent of 
farms with sales of $250,000 or more have access to a 
computer, with 52 percent having internet access. In the 
blossoming agri-fiber industry, the internet is quickly 
becoming the tool of choice to relay data, make sales and 
communicate project goals. Because the agri-fiber 
industry is still in its early stages, and spread out around 
the world, the internet has become the practical, 
low-cost solution to globally communicate about different 
materials, their characteristics and inherent logistical 
considerations. A host of internet services and websites 
started in 1999, including the Agro-Tech Communications 
site - agrotechfiber.com. These sites are performing 
tasks as varied as retail sales, research dissemination 
and interbusiness networking. 
2. Mergers and Acquisitions 
One of the most important stories of the year for the 
future of the agri-fiber industry was the continued 
mergers and acquisitions among major agribusiness 
corporations. By the end of 1999, CNH had become the 
new trading symbol for the largest agricultural tractor 
manufacturer in the world, formed in a merger of Case 
Corporation and New Holland. CNH will be based in Europe 
with US headquarters in Wisconsin. Monsanto worked on 
merging with Delta Pine throughout the year and sold 
Stoneville Seed to achieve regulatory approval for the 
merger. Monsanto recently dropped its bid for 
Delta&Pine, but is also reportedly considering selling off 
its agribusiness divisions to focus on pharmaceuticals. In 
Europe, Zeneca and Novartis split off their agribusiness 
divisions to form a new life sciences company, making it 
the largest in the world. Watch for continued agribusiness 
acquisitions and consolidations in 2000, while evaluating 
agribusiness purchases to ensure quality and sourcing. 
3. Biotechnology (GMOs) 
Biotechnology became a big topic in the United States in 
1999, through worldwide activism against genetically 
engineered crops. Protests were staged around the 
world, with extensive media coverage of the WTO meeting 
in Seattle and in Washington at the end of the year. 
However, polls have continued to show that U.S. 
consumers are not responding to the anti-biotechnology 
campaign and are indifferent when making product 
choices. Legislation to require labeling of genetically 
engineered foods is currently being considered. Although 
the technology may require more research, there are 
extensive benefits that could emerge for the agri-fiber 
industry. These could include crops with higher cellulose 
content and other desired characteristics. 
4. Aerospace Applications 
NASA advancements in many technologies have achieved 
applications in the agri-fiber industry this year. New 
Holland, in conjunction with NASA, is developing robotic 
technologies for use in farm applications. Precision 
farming, the use of GPS/GIS to manage crop production, 
continues to grow at a rapid pace. In addition, some 
agri-fiber companies are using precision farming 
technologies to estimate yields, provide harvesting and 
handling data and supervise other parts of agri-fiber 
production. 
5. Innovative Environmental Companies 
Two major U.S. companies, Crane & Co. and Interface 
Carpet, continued to pave the way in environmental 
integrity and the utilization of agri-fibers in their 
products. Crane & Co., Inc. is the oldest paper mill in the 
United States and has been operating since 1801. In 
1999, the company launched the Continuum line of 
environmental papers that includes paper made from 
cotton, industrial hemp and kenaf. Crane is the sole 
manufacturer of U.S. currency paper and is one of the 
only paper mills to receive ISO1400 certification in 1999. 
Interface Research Corp. is the largest commercial 
carpet tile manufacturer in North America. Their CEO, 
Ray Anderson, is developing a world-renowned reputation 
for environmental integrity within industry. Interface is 
developing many revolutionary processes including the 
introduction in June of 2000 a line of natural fiber carpet 
made from industrial hemp and other agri-fibers. The 
leadership of these two companies points to industrial 
trends of the future, as more companies begin to weigh 
the environmental benefits of agri-fibers in 
manufacturing. 
6. Bast Fiber Processing & Products 
In 1999, Geof Kime and his company Hempline Inc. became 
the first to produce and have commercially available 
industrial hemp fibers in North America since the 1950s. 
This development was followed by the introduction of 
quality textiles made from Hempline's fiber. In addition, 
the entire bast fiber infrastructure in North America 
showed growing strength throughout the year with 
numerous processing facilities coming on line. Durafibre 
Inc. of Cargill Limited, Fibrex Ltd., Kafus, Kenex Ltd., 
Kengro Corp. and others are processing flax, kenaf 
and/or industrial hemp bast fibers. Kafus recently 
completed construction of a $35 million facility in Indiana 
to produce automobile components from kenaf fibers. 
Breakthroughs in enzyme processing, steam explosion 
and mechanical processing were achieved throughout the 
year. 
7. Cotton 
Cotton joined the other commodity crops (corn, wheat 
and soybeans) in suffering from low prices and drought 
conditions in 1999. The USDA continues to lower crop 
estimates as the full ramifications of the production year 
become known. The only positive from the otherwise 
bleak reality, is that farmers are going to be forced to 
find innovative and sustainable solutions. In a special 
feature on cotton in December 1999 issue of Progressive 
Farmer, farmers were advised to consider better insect 
management, cover crops, innovations in irrigation and 
better business management to improve their 2000 crop. 
In addition, new technologies such as UNR cotton, 
precision farming and diversified management could 
provide benefits as farmers look for new ideas. An 
increase in the production of no-till cotton will probably be 
seen in 2000 in an effort to build organic matter and 
preserve moisture. 
8. Industrial Hemp 
Under the leadership of the North American Industrial 
Hemp Council (NAIHC), industrial hemp has gotten a 
national spotlight. Featured stories in favor of producing 
the crop have appeared in national magazines, the New 
York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. The NAIHC 
has successfully, helped build coalitions in several states 
that have led to legislation supporting industrial hemp. On 
December 14, 1999, these efforts paid off when Hawaii 
became the first state to plant test plots of the crop and 
North Dakota passed legislation to produce the crop in 
the state. 
9. Agricultural Biomass 
The harvesting and handling of agricultural biomass from 
crops such as switchgrass and agricultural residues from 
corn, rice and wheat, showed significant progress in 
1999. The U.S. Department of Energy released significant 
funds for research in this arena, while President Clinton 
signed an executive order on August 12 to promote the 
growth of the biomass industry. Several initiatives are 
currently coming together that would utilize switchgrass 
and other materials FOR bioenergy. Companies operating 
on the West Coast got added benefits from helping 
states such as California comply with non-burning 
regulations. In California, for example, rice straw burning 
will be completely phased OUT in a couple of years. The 
California Air Resources Board awarded grants averaging 
over $500,000 to companies including Arkenol Holdings 
LLC, Century Board and Louisiana Pacific. 
10. AARC, USDA 
Funding for the Alternative Agriculture Research and 
Commercialization Corp. (AARC), part of the USDA, was 
cut in the last quarter of 1999. The AARC has provided 
financial resources in the form of investments in 
companies utilizing agricultural fibers such as Kengro 
Corporation, Primeboard Inc. and Vision Paper. An 
example of one of the only government programs ever 
initiated that could offer a return to the taxpayer, 
funding for AARC was cut based on politics and 
Washington's usual short term, bandaid solution approach 
to agriculture policy. The loss of AARC Corporation will 
directly affect the ability of new companies to develop 
agri-fiber products and will directly hurt the long-term 
profitability and competitiveness of our nation's farmers.
These 10 areas of development, with some negatives, 
show tremendous potential for growth in the years to 
come. Slowly but surely, an infrastructure is being 
constructed, new technologies are coming on line, and 
products and energy are being created from agri-fibers. I 
expect that 2000 will continue to see rapid growth. 
Invariably, there are some things left off that should be 
included on this list. Please let me know your comments 
by email at fiber@netten.net. 
To access the complete issue of Ag Fiber Technology 
News click: http://www.agrotechfiber.com/219000.html 
Agro-Tech Communications, URL: 
http://www.agrotechfiber.com, Email: fiber@netten.net, 
PH: (901)757-1777 
Ag Fiber Technology News



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