The corn gluten is as effective as synthetic fertilizers, Dr. Christians said.

Melamine has also been implicated in corn gluten in South Africa.

The corn gluten meal breaks down over time as an organic nitrogen source (NPK rating of 10-0-0).

Good sources include corn gluten, worm castings and (herbicide free) grass clippings.

Higher taxes on American corn gluten would limit United States exports and protect European farmers from competition.

There is possibly an increased incidence associated with dogs on diets that have a large amount of corn gluten or soybean hulls.

American farmers sold $696 million in corn gluten to Europeans last year and could sell more if subsidies were discontinued.

Organic landscapers use substances like corn gluten as a pre-emergent weed killer and an alternative to chemical herbicides such as the commonly used pendimethaline.

He said that while corn gluten was "highly touted" and would "satisfy some people," it took more time to do less than chemicals.

Mrs. Hills also denied reports from the summit that the United States had made any offer to cap exports of corn gluten, an animal feed product.