USDA released its list of proposed changes in January
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
More than 100 organizations representing American farmers signed a letter written to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, asking him to reconsider proposed changes to USDA’s biotechnology regulations.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) began announcing proposed changes in January, one of which applies to GE plants.
“APHIS is proposing a regulatory program in which it first assesses GE organisms to determine if they pose plant pest or noxious weed risks,” APHIS said in a February release. “If APHIS concludes that a GE organism does not pose a plant pest of noxious weed risk, then APHIS would not require a permit for the importation, interstate movement and environmental release (outdoor use) of the GE organism.”
However, if APHIS determines a GE organism does pose certain risks, permits will be needed.
And many ag groups are concerned by those parameters.
“The proposed system shifts regulatory burden from commercialization stages to research and development phases of product innovation,” the June 19 letter says. “Each new GE plant variety will have to undergo complex risk assessment and public comment before a single plant can even be planted in a small-scale field trial.”
Letter signees include the American Farm Bureau Federation, CropLife America, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Corn Growers Association.
In separate comments, organizations representing grain processors and exporters suggest the changes could disrupt trade agreements.
“For APHIS to (consider these changes) without first engaging in broad international discussion and collaboration with regulatory authorities in important U.S. export markets and securing international acceptance and the buy-in of our trading partners would be a horrific mistake and must be avoided,” says a June 19 letter signed by five organizations, including the National Grain and Feed Association and the North American Export Grain Association.
Both groups want to continue a dialogue with the USDA on the issue, the letters say.
The public consultation period ended June 19.