News Release

Ag Biotech and E-Commerce hot topics at ASTA Annual Convention

Meeting Announcement

American Seed Trade Association

How will e-commerce affect the global seed industry? Do many farmers have Internet access and among those that do, how many are buying agricultural equipment and supplies online? How will modern biotechnology affect the U.S. seed industry and international seed trade? How can genetically enhanced seed benefit agricultural production worldwide? These and other questions related to agricultural biotechnology and e-commerce will be addressed at the American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA's) 117th Annual Convention at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, June 18-22. This year's meeting, "Gateway to the Millennium," will also be a gateway to the information superhighway and future of agriculture.

One-fourth of all U.S. business-to-business purchasing will be done online by 2003, predicts a new study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). James Vogtle, BCG lead analyst, will expand on this prediction and other emerging trends during a General Session on E-Commerce on Tues., June 20 at 8 AM. Fulton Breen, CEO of XSAg.com, a leading business-to-business agricultural e-commerce site, will join Vogtle in the discussion. The session will be moderated by Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications, a renown interactive industry professional.

The impact of modern biotechnology on the seed industry will be discussed in a General Session on Biotechnology on Wed., June 21 at 8 AM, followed by a Q&A session. Paul Gilding, chairman of Ecos Corporation and former executive director of Greenpeace International, will present "Biotechnology: The Globalization of Activism and Arrival of Food as a Social Issue," discussing the controversy about modern biotechnology and ways it will impact the future of agriculture and the food industry. Ted McKinney, Global Leader for Public Affairs-Biotechnology at DowAgroSciences, will represent the Council for Biotechnology Information as the other featured panelist. He will discuss biotechnology industry initiatives to enhance public acceptance of modern biotechnology and ways that seed professionals can be proactive in promoting these initiatives.

For registration (complimentary for journalists), contact Angela Dansby at 202-638-3128.

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association, headquartered in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of more than 900 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.

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