Biotech Updates

PH Bureau of Plant Industry Invites Public Comments on Golden Rice

August 9, 2017

The proposal for direct use of Golden Rice for food, feed, and processing is now under public comment in the Philippines.

The Public Information Sheet (PIS) on the proposal for the direct use as food and feed, or for processing of Golden Rice was published in the July 26 issue of Manila Standard. The application for biosafety permit was submitted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in February 2017. The Bureau of Plant Industry is accepting comments on the proposal for 60 days since its publication.

"GR2E rice is intended to complement existing vitamin A deficiency control efforts, such as food fortification, vitamin A supplements, and dietary diversification, by supplying up to 30–50 percent of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A for preschool age children and pregnant or lactating mothers," according to the PIS.

The PIS is available at the DA Biotech website. Public comments should be submitted to bpibiotechsecretariat@yahoo.com.