StarLink Advisory Letter sent by USDA to seed companies 

USDA 27dec00

Name
Address
City, State ZIP

Dear    :

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that Cry9C protein has been detected in varieties of non-StarLink corn hybrid seed. This seed corn was produced during 2000 in accordance with traditional seed production practices.

Aventis CropScience licensed corn containing the Cry9C protein to various seed companies for use only in corn seed sold under the StarLink trademark. Aventis also entered into scientific evaluation agreements with other companies, which gave them access to Cry9C corn. On October 12, 2000, Aventis withdrew the EPA registration covering the Cry9C protein. The presence of StarLink corn or Cry9C protein in food is a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Therefore, seed corn containing Cry9C protein should not be sold or grown during 2001.

Consequently, in the interest of American farmers and the food industry, seed companies are encouraged to take adequate measures to ensure that seed corn sold for the 2001 crop does not contain Cry9C protein. If your company produced commercial corn hybrid seed in 2000 following traditional seed production practices, your corn seed may contain small levels of Cry9C protein and warrant additional quality assurance measures. USDA offers the following recommendations:

1. Sample and test all seed lots for the presence of Cry9C protein in accordance with a program equal to, or exceeding the performance of the enclosed sampling and testing plan. To assist in this effort, USDA provides official testing and certification for the detection of Cry9C protein under the authority of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/biotech/starlink/starlink.htm). Furthermore, many commercial laboratories and seed certification agencies may offer testing service.
   
2. Do not sell seed corn containing Cry9C protein for planting purposes. Redirect such seed corn to feed or non-food industrial uses.
   
3. Provide customers, upon request, with verification that the seed corn being purchased was sampled and tested for the presence of Cry9C protein in accordance with a program equal to, or exceeding the performance of the enclosed sampling and testing plan.
   
4. Test all parent lines of corn for the presence of Cry9C protein prior to 2001 seed production.

StarLink corn has presented significant challenges to the entire food industry from seed production to food processor and retailer. The collective efforts of all market participants is necessary to ensure that corn currently containing Cry9C protein is directed to approved uses, and that future corn production does not contain Cry9C protein. Your cooperation and additional efforts to ensure 2001 seed corn does not contain Cry9C protein is essential.

USDA will be advising farmers and other purchasers of hybrid corn seed to request verification at the time of purchase that the seed meet the minimum requirements of the recommended USDA seed testing plan.

As stated in a December 5 letter you received from Mr. John Wichtrich, Vice President and General Manager, Aventis CropScience may be contacted for further information on testing your seed corn for Cry9C protein. Contact the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) at 202-720-0252 or visit the GIPSA web site www.usda.gov/gipsa for further information on USDA’s services for the sampling and testing of seed corn for the presence of Cry9C protein.

Sincerely,

Enrique E. Figueroa, Ph.D.
Deputy Under Secretary
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

cc: John Wichtrich, Aventis CropScience
     Dean Urmston, American Seed Trade Association

source: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/biotech/starlink/122700seedletter.htm