Washington, DC – Each year biotechnology companies plant thousands of acres of experimental genetically engineered crops in fields across the United States. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for the oversight of genetically engineered crops grown in experimental field plots, little is known about the extent of experimental field testing or its effects on the environment and agriculture.

Raising Risk, Field Testing of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S., a new report to be released jointly by U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S.PIRG) and the Genetically Engineered Food Alert examines the field testing of genetically engineered crops in the U.S., documenting for the first time the extent of the field testing being conducted today and the risks associated with the release of genetically engineered plants into the environment.

Speakers will discuss major report findings, the regulatory process behind the growing of experimental test plots and some of the key concerns of farmers and others involved in the growing of genetically engineered crops. State-specific data will be available at the press conference, including the number of field experiments conducted, the acreage of such tests, as well as the types of crops being tested.

Who:
* Paul Muegge, farmer, Chairman of Agriculture Committee, Oklahoma State Senate
* Tom Ulick, farmer, Kings Hill Farm, Mineral Point, Wisconsin
* Richard Caplan, environmental advocate, U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Where: The Murrow Room, National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW

When: Thursday, June 14, 2001, 10:00am EDT

CALL IN INFORMATION: (for reporters outside of Washington, DC):
phone: 1-800-351-6801
code: field test

**BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED**

Download Report: Raising Risk
WWW.GEFoodAlert.Org