The president and chief executive of the American Seed Trade Association Andrew W. LaVigne writes in his reply to Dan Barber's critical New York Times article about the seed industry by calling attention to all the innovations that have been made possible by the heavy investments into the seed industry.
"It’s true that crop production across the United States has changed," writes Andrew. "It’s had to, as farmers and ranchers have been forced to do more with less. They have successfully done this thanks to innovation, including incredible advances in plant breeding."
Andrew claims that without these innovations the agricultural industry wouldn't be what it is today. "This innovation is possible only through strong investment in research, which has dramatically increased our understanding of what makes a plant do what it does."
Read the full reply: The New York Times (Andrew W. LaVigne)