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As USDA considers new biotech approval approaches, farmers emphasize the signifi

As USDA considers new biotech approval approaches, farmers emphasize the significance of ag innovation

May 3, 2016-With USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considering potential major departures from its current regulatory framework regarding biotech products, the American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the agency not to lose sight of the importance of agricultural innovation.
"Between today and the year 2050, farmers will be required to grow twice as much food to feed a rapidly growing world population. Food will be grown in the face of increasingly severe weather and environmental conditions, with greater strains on water, soil and energy resources," Farm Bureau said in formal comments to APHIS regarding the agency's plans to prepare an environmental impact statement in connection with potential changes to the regulations related to the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically modified organisms.
Proven to be an impeccably safe agricultural tool, biotechnology has also shown significant potential for improving food and energy security, enhancing food safety and nutrition and making agricultural and energy production systems more sustainable.
Despite biotechnology's outstanding safety record and the extensive scientific knowledge about the technology, the requirements and costs of getting regulatory approval for biotechnology products have grown at the expense of growers and consumers alike.
"Irrespective of the cause, the loss of predictability and timeliness in the U.S. regulatory system carries a high price that is paid by many. As timelines lengthen and the rate of approval of safe [genetically modified] crop products slows, the potential benefits of the new crops are withheld from U.S. farmers and society at large," Farm Bureau said.
While recognizing recent improvements APHIS has made, Farm Bureau is asking the agency to very carefully consider any future changes, as even the tiniest tweak could have a very big impact on farmers, consumers and the biotech industry.
For example, unnecessarily dragging out the biotech product approval process also puts U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage globally.
"Regulatory hurdles at U.S. agencies that slow reviews for much-needed, safe products, such as new herbicide-tolerant traits, companion herbicides, and new pest-resistant traits, ultimately put U.S. commodity producers at a competitive disadvantage relative to growers in other countries," according to Farm Bureau.
In addition, government roadblocks have ultimately kept proven traits from being used on small acreage crops and have held up the development of "second-generation traits" with broad consumer and environmental benefits, such as fresh fruits and vegetables that last longer, staple crops with improved nutritional value, and animal feed that would reduce the amount of pollution.
Farm Bureau also cautioned APHIS against biotechnology definitions that are too broad. In addition to not making sense scientifically, inappropriate designations will stifle innovation.
"We support a regulatory environment that will enable all kinds of plant breeders, including those who grow fruits and vegetables, to utilize the broad range of modern breeding methods and advance innovative products to the commercial marketplace without facing burdensome or non-risk-based regulations and stigma."
Furthermore, with many plant breeders using or developing techniques that mimic the results of more traditional plant breeding methodologies, APHIS' regulatory proposals should narrowly define the scope of regulation, limited to only those products for which APHIS has a legitimate, science-based justification for oversight.
Beyond U.S. farmers' global competitiveness, APHIS must also consider the international implications of the government's regulatory approach.
"While the regulation of these products should be based purely on science, this is an opportunity for the U.S. government to lead an active dialogue with international governments to ensure that mutually beneficial goals are met."
In a similar vein, USDA must consult with the U.S. Trade Representative and other agencies to ensure any proposed regulatory changes align with the country's stated biotechnology positions within the context of international trade.
In its overall approach to improving the pre-market agricultural biotechnology regulatory system, Farm Bureau encouraged the agency to build on the strengths of its current regulatory system and propose narrowly tailored modifications to that address specific shortcomings.
"There is no need for the agency to replace a mature, well-functioning regulatory system with an entirely new one, in the absence of a clear justification," the group said.
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