Taiwan firms review U.S. wheat on GMO fears

By Sameer C. Mohindru
SINGAPORE--Flour millers in Taiwan are reviewing imports of wheat from the U.S. after unapproved genetically modified wheat was discovered at a farm in Oregon, industry officials and importers said Friday.

"Imports from the U.S. are under review, and we may seek a guarantee from our suppliers that only non-GM grain will be shipped to Taiwan," a member of the Taiwan Flour Millers Association told Dow Jones Newswires.

Taiwan is a major wheat importer and heavily dependent on the U.S. for its supplies, importing close to 1.1 million metric tons of U.S. wheat annually. Commercial production of GM wheat is not permitted anywhere in the world, and the U.S. is investigating the contamination at the Oregon farm.

The association's next tender to import U.S. wheat is due to be issued around mid-June, industry officials said.

Millers and traders said that by mid-June, a clearer picture may emerge on the extent of GM contamination in U.S. wheat and will help them decide their future course of action.

Japan has suspended imports of Western White grade wheat from the U.S., while millers in South Korea have also suspended tenders to import U.S. wheat.

Flour mills supply flour to noodle makers and bakeries, which are concerned about any potential GM contamination of wheat that is imported from the U.S.