2007 Farm Bill to Include Provision for Moving Healthy Oils Into Consumer Marketplace

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to improve human health, the U.S. Senate, today, introduced its version of the 2007 Farm Bill, which includes the Commodity Quality Incentive Program (CQIP). CQIP, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), is a provision providing special support to farmers who choose to plant alternative oilseeds. Many experts believe that CQIP will aid in getting healthy oils to food manufacturers in a timelier manner, resulting in healthier food choices for consumers.

According to QUALISOY(TM) -- a soybean industry initiative charged with introducing improved soybean traits to the marketplace -- ramping up production of new oilseeds can take three years or more and is a costly and risky business for farmers. QUALISOY developed the CQIP concept as the soy industry attempted to provide soy-based trans fat solutions, but found it challenging to convince farmers to grow new varieties.

"For the first few years, new oilseed varieties may not yield comparably to existing oilseed varieties. So the farmer, who is paid on the amount of soybeans per acre, cannot run the risk of growing the healthier oilseed. Quite simply, he cannot 'bet the farm' on growing these new seeds," said John Becherer, QUALISOY CEO.

CQIP protects the farmer from undue risk and encourages trial of these new oilseeds by providing payments directly to farmers who grow the new varieties. The payments expire after four years, the usual time required for production to achieve commercially viable levels.

The need for alternative oilseeds continues to rise as food manufacturers and foodservice operators reformulate products to improve the overall health profile of foods. Because of the 2006 FDA requirement to label trans fats, the demand for stable oils with improved health profiles is tapping out supplies of nearly all healthful alternatives.

"Growing enhanced-quality products is an entrepreneurial venture," says Jim Sutter, QUALISOY past chairman and Vice President of Cargill. "The premiums provided collectively by the industry and through the proposed farm bill, under CQIP, will encourage farmers to grow crops with traits that can help meet the food industry demand for healthier products." Preserving the identity of these alternative soybeans requires segregation in the field, storage and transportation and can discourage farmers from growing new enhanced varieties.

Oilseed crops that may qualify for CQIP funding include those that reduce or eliminate the need to hydrogenate oil produced for human consumption. Hydrogenation is the process that creates unhealthy trans fats. Other oilseeds likely to qualify under CQIP include varieties lower in saturated fat and plant-based oils higher in heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

"QUALISOY has led the effort to develop CQIP for inclusion in the 2007 Farm Bill, and has engaged the leadership and expertise of the American Soybean Association (ASA) to have the program included in both the House and Senate versions of the Bill," said Curt Sindergard, QUALISOY Legislative Working Group Chair and ASA Director. Sindergard is a farmer from Rolfe, Iowa.

The House of Representatives issued their version of the 2007 Farm Bill on July 27, 2007, which includes language on CQIP introduced by Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX). Additional supporters of the CQIP program include the U.S. Canola Association, National Sunflower Association and the American Heart Association.

A diverse 22-member QUALISOY Board of Directors sets research priorities, evaluates existing and emerging technologies, and helps identify future soybean trait enhancements that would benefit the food and feed industries. For additional information on low-linolenic product availability, QUALISOY's activities and its Board of Directors, visit http://www.QUALISOY.com. For more information on the 2007 Farm Bill, visit http://www.usda.gov/farmbill, and for more information on ASA, visit http://www.soygrowers.com.

QUALISOY

CONTACT: Steve Poole, +1-314-579-1591, spoole@smithbucklin.com , for
QUALISOY

Web site: http://www.QUALISOY.com/
http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/
http://www.soygrowers.com/