Biotech Updates

Public Consultations Set for Golden Rice Field Trials

July 11, 2018

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced that the Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has given the approval for the conduct of public consultations on the proposed field trials for GR2E Golden Rice. High-yielding inbred local rice varieties with the beta carotene producing GR2 Golden Rice trait are being developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute and IRRI.

The public consultation process is a key component of biosafety regulatory approval under the Joint Department Circular No. 1 series of 2016. The consultation process is comprised of Public Information Sheet postings in accessible community locations, a 30-day public comment period, and public hearing. The process will allow community members the opportunity to participate responsibly in a critical biosafety decision-making process.

The public consultation will take place in the Philippine provinces of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (July 18, 2018) and San Mateo, Isabela (July 20, 2018) by PhilRice and IRRI scientists and some government regulators. For more information, read the media release from IRRI.