US Gov't Plans to Counter ‘Misinformation' on Agri-biotech Products

Misinformation on biotechnology is expected to decrease in the U.S. because of the proposed markup in the budget for biotech education. The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations is considering to increase the budget for agriculture spending bill, Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. US$3 million was proposed to be used by the Food and Drugs Administration and the Department of Agriculture for consumer outreach to promote the understanding and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology and its products.

According to the full committee report draft on the agriculture bill, FDA and USDA will take charge of the initiative through publication and distribution of science-based educational information on the environmental, nutritional, food safety, economic, and humanitarian benefits of biotechnology food and feed products.

In line with this, 66 food and agricultural organizations showed their support for biotech education by sending a letter to the Congressional leaders. "The United States is strong and prosperous because American leaders embrace the responsible use of technology and set forth public policies to move the nation forward in this regard. Science education plays an important role in this forward momentum. That is why we support the inclusion of $3 million for FDA and USDA to help the public better understand science- and fact-based information about agricultural biotechnology," stated in the letter.

Read the full committee report draft from the Committee of Appropriations' website. Read the letter from the food and agri groups in Biotech Now.