During CY 1996 and CY 1997, vegetable seeds coming from the United States represented 45 percent of all Japan's vegetable seed imports in terms of quantity. Japan imported over 2,035 metric tons of vegetable seed in CY 1997, down from 2,880 metric tons in CY 1996. Japan's outlays for U.S. vegetable seed also fell during CY 1997 to 1,482 million Yen, from 1,850 million Yen. Consumer groups continue to express strong resistance to the introduction of transgenic planting seed in Japan. Despite efforts by Japanese Government sources and the trade media to inform the public of the positive aspects of transgenic seed, consumer groups persistently push for labeling requirements and full disclosure to consumers distinguishing transgenic products from traditional farm products.
Terminator technology eliminates a planting seed's ability to reproduce.
Consumer groups fear that such technology will deprive farmers from saving seeds while allowing seed companies to attain monopolistic control over the seed market at the expense of the family farm. U.S. cotton seed represents 75 percent of the market and has further potential to grow. Results from field trials of transgenic cotton seed are proving the seed to be effective in deterring insects from damaging cotton crops. The seed is being tested in areas where bollworm attacks are reported to be as high as 30 percent. Farmers in Greece prefer U.S. wheat seed but are unable to import wheat seed from the United States due to Karnal bunt restrictions imposed by the Government of Greece.