Science Is Best Hope To Feed The World Safely And Affordably

Roll Call
Rep. Mike Pompeo
May 19, 2015

Science, innovation, safety and affordability. Who could oppose United States food policy based on these core principles? Unfortunately, this idea has become unnecessarily controversial in agriculture. The unmerited fear of genetically modified organism crops threatens scientific advancements in biotechnology needed to meet the growing global demand for safe and affordable food. The Safe and Affordable Food Labeling Act aims to address unnecessary impediments to feeding the world.

GMOs play a central role in meeting the challenge of providing affordable and nutritious food to consumers all over the world. By the year 2050, food production needs to increase by 70 percent as the global population increases to a projected 9.6 billion people. Fulfilling this demand will either require massive new water supplies and acreage, or a better approach to using existing resources. GMOs provide the best hope for the latter to occur.

In my home state of Kansas, agriculture is among the largest drivers of the economy, each year producing products valued at more than $50 billion. Our farmers harvest more than 21 million acres of land and are feeding the world, exporting nearly $4.9 billion in agricultural products in 2012. Biotechnology is ushering in a world of new possibilities for farmers in Kansas and across the country. GMO products are increasing crop yields, and decreasing water and pesticide usage. Adoption of these crops resulted in a reduction of pesticide use by 46.4 million pounds in 2003 alone. And crops that require less irrigation would be welcomed in states such as California that are grappling with drought.

Rep. Mike Pompeo is a Republican from Kansas.

Reward your community through Drive to Thrive contest

Growers and other ag professionals invited to describe how agriculture drives their communities to thrive
Ten finalists will win mini touch-screen tablets; one grand prizewinner will receive $500 gift card and $1,000 donation to favorite local charity
Enter soon because entry deadline is June 1, 2015

GREENSBORO, N.C., USA, May 19, 2015 – Syngenta is giving growers and other agricultural professionals a chance to reward their communities through the second annual Drive to Thrive contest. But act quickly because the deadline for entering is fast-approaching.

The application process, which ends June 1, 2015, is simple:
Click on the easy-to-use online entry form.
Briefly describe how agriculture makes your community thrive.
Then, upload a photograph or video that visually supports your written entry.

Shortly after the entry deadline, a panel of judges will choose 10 finalists, who will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet. Syngenta will then post all finalists’ entries on the Thrive website and ask visitors to help choose the grand prizewinner by voting online. These votes, along with the judges’ scores, will determine the winner. The grand prize is a $500 gift card, plus Syngenta will donate $1,000 to the winner’s favorite local charity or civic organization. Online voting ends Sept. 1, 2015, with Syngenta announcing the grand prizewinner in October.

For more information about the Drive to Thrive contest, visit www.syngentathrive.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.SyngentaUS.com.