High standards for biotech crops

To the editor:

In 2004, Ventria Bioscience was recruited by seven states, including Missouri. Ventria selected Missouri because the Center of Excellence in Plant-made Pharmaceuticals at Northwest Missouri State University provided the infrastructure for Ventria to commercialize its products.

The economics of field production in Missouri and the high-quality land and water resources were attractive. Missouri's growers have expertise, especially with biotechnology-based crops. Missouri is a leader in the development and commercialization of biotechnology.

Ventria has received approval from the USDA every year since 1999 to produce crops for plant-made pharmaceuticals. The 2005 permits would authorize production in Cape Girardeau, Scott and Mississippi counties in Missouri.

Ventria is dedicated to leading the development of plant-made pharmaceuticals that promise affordable human health products for the global community. We are committed to product quality and best practices that will set the industry standard. Ventria's permits describe the production practices to be followed during the company's production operations. In addition, Ventria's field production is separated from the nearest commodity rice or barley production by more than five miles. Products are manufactured within the seed of self-pollinating rice or barley, which are not wind- or insect -pollinated plants. Ventria's field production, storage, grinding and transportation equipment is dedicated only to Ventria's use and is not used for any commodity rice or barley production.

Ventria's contractors and field production personnel receive extensive training on regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures. And Ventria monitors its production practices for compliance.

SCOTT DEETER, President and CEO,

Ventria Bioscience, Sacramento, Calif.