Specifically, the agreement references the recently released Agricultural and Rural Prosperity Task Force’s Report and says “USDA and FDA are committed to modernizing the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology and the U.S. agricultural biotechnology regulatory system to develop efficient, science-based regulatory practices for products of biotechnology by working in partnership with other federal agencies on the corresponding National Strategy for Modernizing the Regulatory Systems for Biotechnology Products.”
“BIO applauds the agreement and supports the broad recommendation to enhance coordination between the agencies governing the use of products using agricultural biotechnology,” said Dana O'Brien, BIO’s Executive Vice President for Food & Agriculture. “BIO has long supported a more harmonized Coordinated Framework for science-based regulation, especially in regard to the treatment of future products such as gene edited innovations.”
O’Brien echoed many of the proposals contained in the Task Force report and the National Strategy and said BIO looks forward to engaging with the Administration on implementation.
“We need national policies that recognize the importance of science and technology and encourage continued investment,” O’Brien said. “This agreement is another step forward towards a system that promotes ag innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and job creation in America’s thriving biotechnology sector.”