President Trump signed the Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products this week, announcing measures to further promote agricultural biotech in the U.S. The text of the Executive Order can be found here.
Farm Bureau response
“Having an updated, transparent and scientifically sound regulatory system for agricultural biotechnology is critical if American farmers and ranchers are to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow", American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. "I applaud President Trump for his Executive Order that will foster policy to spur agricultural innovation, encourage engagement and alignment at the global level and provide a firm foundation for the future of gene-edited crops and animals. Innovative solutions have been a creed for American agriculture for a long time and with yesterday’s action by the President, it ensures a framework and directive for agricultural innovation well into the future."
ASTA applauds administration
“Evolving breeding methods like gene editing hold exciting potential for both public- and private- sector plant breeding programs of every size and sector, from specialty crops to row crops,” said ASTA President & CEO Andy LaVigne. “To fully realize the potential of these innovations, plant breeders need clarity and consistency around plant breeding policy, both domestically and internationally. This includes ensuring that USDA, FDA and EPA are coordinated in their approaches, with clearly defined, science- and risk-based roles and responsibilities that focus on the end-product, not the breeding method.”
“Through evolving plant breeding methods, like gene editing, scientists are able to create new varieties in years, instead of decades,” said LaVigne. “This has never been more important as we race against the clock to find solutions to address critical environmental challenges facing today’s food production system. Plant breeding innovation holds tremendous promise for the future of our planet, our health and our food.”