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Japan has discovered a sixth cargo of U.S. feed grain containing unapproved genetically altered corn (Bt10) and refused to accept it.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/12126537.htm

Even before this Reuters was reporting, "fears of Bt-10 contamination in U.S. corn have led Japanese buyers to look elsewhere, traders said on Monday". It quotes the example of a Japanese company which has bought about 100,000 tonnes of South African corn, instead of US, for its July-September. shipments. (see below)

Japan appears to be doing its own checking and not just leaving it to the Americans.
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E. Asia Grain-Japan, Taiwan quiet, further freight falls seen
Reuters, Jul 12, 2005 [shortened]
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TAIPEI - Soy importers in Japan and Taiwan are expected to remain quiet this week as they eye falling freight costs, while fears of Bt-10 contamination in U.S. corn have led Japanese buyers to look elsewhere, traders said on Monday.

In the corn market, Japanese buyers have remained cautious due to fears that U.S. corn cargoes may be contaminated with Bt-10, an unapproved strain of genetically modified corn.

Japan's Agriculture Ministry said last week they discovered a fourth U.S. feed corn cargo tainted with Bt-10, which is made by Swiss agrochemicals group Syngenta AG.

To avoid the risk of receiving cargoes tainted with Bt-10, a Japanese company bought about 100,000 tonnes of South African corn for July-September shipments, traders said last week.

© Reuters 2005

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