Biotechnology

A technology provider – Bioceres Crop Solutions, based in Germany – on Oct. 8 announced that Argentina has approved its biotechnology-enhanced wheat trait, HB4, for production and consumption. The company said it marked the first time a country has approved the HB4 drought-tolerant trait for wheat. Argentina’s regulatory clearance follows its approval of Bioceres’ HB4 soybean trait, which it said has been approved for planting in the United States, Brazil and Argentina. The company said HB4’s wheat commercialization in Argentina is contingent upon receiving import approval from Brazil, ... Read More

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Sept. 1 released a 142-page proposed rule for easing the regulatory process for plants that are engineered to kill pests, also known  as plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs). Specifically, EPA would exempt from regulation biotech crops engineered to contain pesticidal substances if they: “pose no greater risk than PIPs that meet EPA safety requirements”; and “could have otherwise been created through conventional breeding.” EPA’s proposed rule would require a developer to submit a self-determination letter or a request for EPA ... Read More

By Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 14 its final rule for regulating plant-based agricultural biotechnology products. In a press statement, NGFA noted that it supports the use of agricultural biotechnology and plant breeding innovation to provide farmers with improved technology that can contribute to a sustainable, abundant and affordable food and feed supply. “However, for grain elevators and exporters, as well as farmers and downstream customers they serve, there is a pressing need to provide ... Read More

The Food Industry Association (FMI) Foundation released a study on “Consumer Acceptance of Gene Edited Foods,” in which researchers surveyed more than 4,000 U.S. food shoppers to determine market potential and consumers’ beliefs, knowledge, understanding and acceptance of gene-editing technology and gene-edited foods. “Results of this study reveal consumers generally think about gene-editing in a negative light,” the report summarized. “However, over half of the respondents indicate having never heard of the technology. Simply informing consumers about the technology has trivial effects on ... Read More

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a Unified Website for Biotechnology Regulation on Jan. 9, where relevant background information and resources regarding the government’s regulatory policy on biotechnology products are housed. The website describes the federal review process for certain biotechnology-enhanced products and allows users to submit questions to the three agencies. USDA, FDA and EPA are the three regulatory agencies charged with overseeing agricultural biotechnology products ... Read More

There were media reports that the Chinese government on Dec. 30 approved two biotechnology-enhanced crops for import and renewed import permits for 10 more. According to a document posted on China’s Ministry of Agriculture website, Corteva Agriscience’s Bt soybean variety, DAS-81419-2 (“Conkesta”) was granted an import permit, as was a disease-resistant papaya created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Center at the University of Hawaii. Corteva confirmed that it had received notification of the approval of its soybean trait, but was still awaiting import approval ... Read More

By Bobby Frederick, Director of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy BASF informed the NGFA this week that the company will launch a hybrid canola variety (MS8 x RF3 x MON 88302) under the commercial name “InVigor Choice LR344PC.” BASF’s stacked trait combines previously commercialized MS8xRF3, which confers glufosinate tolerance, and MON88302, which confers glyphosate tolerance. The initial launch is scheduled to occur in Canada only. Of particular importance to NGFA members, InVigor Choice LR344PC has received import approvals in a number of countries including the United States, ... Read More

[Editor’s Note: This article is a summary of information provided to NGFA by Matt Rekeweg, U.S. industry relations and food chain leader, Corteva Agriscience, Indianapolis, Ind.] U.S. soybean growers this fall are harvesting and delivering their first commercial planting of Enlist E3™ soybeans. Enlist E3 soybeans are part of the Enlist™ weed control system, which also includes corn and cotton. Enlist E3 soybeans are tolerant to three herbicides: 2,4-D choline in Enlist herbicides (the only 2,4-D herbicides authorized for use with Enlist crops), glyphosate and glufosinate. Enlist E3 ... Read More