Friday, April 15, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573)751-0290
Governor Blunt, Senator Bond Commend Companies
for Achieving Fair Compromise
Anheuser Busch and Ventria Agree to Support Life Science and Value-Added Agriculture Economic Development
ST. LOUIS— Today Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and U.S. Senator Kit Bond commend Anheuser Busch and Ventria Bioscience for achieving a compromise that will welcome a new technology company to Missouri, provide new opportunities for farmers, and help save the lives of 1.3 million children worldwide.
"This is a great day. This compromise represents a huge step forward for the Missouri life sciences industry, value-added agriculture, and the important humanitarian goal of improving the health of children. It is imperative our state has an environment that encourages the biotechnology industry and value-added agriculture opportunities, which will help sustain Missouri’s economy for generations to come," Blunt said. "Ventria exemplifies the type of progressive technology company and economic development we should continue to attract to our state because it provides tremendous economic opportunities in both rural and urban areas. I am pleased that Anheuser Busch and Ventria have reached a fair compromise that furthers cutting-edge life-sciences technology while protecting current markets for Missouri rice farmers. Biotech companies from around the country, if not the world, are watching our state today, and this agreement sends a clear message that Missouri is a great place for technology."
"I am very proud that friends have come together in good faith and reached an agreement that addresses all concerns while permitting this critical technology to find a welcome home here in Missouri," Bond stated. "I congratulate Governor Blunt, the leadership at Anheuser Busch and Ventria, and the indispensable scientific, agricultural, and civic leaders who stuck to our commitment to put life sciences to work in Missouri to improve health and economic opportunity. Missouri has great promise to become the life sciences capital of our nation."
Ventria Bioscience has a permit pending with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to grow genetically modified rice in southeast Missouri counties, Cape Girardeau, Scott and Mississippi. The rice is engineered to produce two types of human proteins, lactoferrin and lysozyme, found in saliva, tears, and mothers’ milk. The proteins help boost the human immune system and have important applications for children in the developing world who routinely suffer from dehydration cause by diarrhea and respiratory infections.
Anheuser Busch originally stated it would not purchase Missouri commodity rice if the genetically modified rice was introduced in the state. Through a compromise reached today, Ventria will plant its crop at least 120 miles away from other Missouri rice fields, and Anheuser Busch will continue to purchase rice grown in the state.
Missouri is the sixth largest rice producing state. Ventria came to Missouri as a result of Northwest Missouri State University’s recruiting efforts to help develop Missouri’s life sciences economy.