Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue “floated the possibility of USDA and the Food and Drug Administration splitting regulatory responsibilities over gene-edited animals,” reports Agri-Pulse—a sign the government may, finally, be hearing our concerns about the animal biotech regulatory process.
A couple weeks ago, FDA published commentary and a press release to stand firm in their view they should continue to have responsibility for assessing and approving animal biotech using a “risk-based approach.”
And BIO quickly responded,writing in Agri-Pulse that while we agree on the need for pre-market review of animal biotech, the current regulatory system is opaque and cumbersome, needlessly bureaucratic, and vastly disproportionate to actual risk—after all, just one animal biotech food product has been approved in 20+ years.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue now seems to echo our concerns,saying the regulatory system will make the United States “a follower rather than a leader in the new technologies.”
And he suggested the turf war could end soon: “We’re actually in the process of working with FDA currently to help divide up the responsibilities, hopefully with an agreeable type of consensual [memorandum of understanding] with FDA” over new breeding techniques, he said, with USDA having oversight over “food animal breeding” and FDA over “any other animals.”
We’re encouraged, but nothing’s final yet—so we’re continuing to reinforce our position and bring attention to the need to find a workable solution.
Dana’s Dialogue: It’s encouraging to hear Secretary Perdue note that they are looking to work with FDA to find a solution, and we’ll continue to support the government in that process. If we are to truly realize the benefits of animal biotechnology—such as the ability to eradicate animal disease and drive sustainability—we need a new system that is science-based and allows innovation to thrive. – Dana O'Brien, BIO's EVP of Food & Agriculture
More Agriculture & Environment News:
Reuters: Trump's agriculture department announces 30% biofuel goal for 2050
“The biofuel goal, which also included getting the blend rate to 15% in 10 years, is part of a new department-wide sustainability initiative aiming to boost farm production by 40% and cut the farm sector’s environmental impact by 50% during the same period. The environmental goal also could deflect criticism from farmers and ethanol producers in an election year.”
