Biotech Updates

Exporting Countries Emphasize Need for Timely Science-Based Regulation of Biotech Crops

April 24, 2013

A joint statement by six exporting countries Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, and the United States published this month, emphasize the need for regulation of biotech crops to be "science-based, transparent, timely, no more trade restrictive than necessary to fulfill legitimate objectives, and consistent with relevant international obligations". The six countries commit to collaborate to:

  • promote the application of science-based, transparent and predictable regulatory approaches that foster innovation and ensure a safe and reliable global food supply, including the cultivation and use of agricultural products derived from innovative technologies, and
  • endeavor to work together to promote synchronization of authorizations by regulatory authorities, in particular for food, feed, and processing purposes.

The statement is available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/biotech/LM%20statement%20on%20innovative%20ag%20-%20GE%20crops%20-%20Final%20April%202013%20endorsements.pdf.