Milling News
USDA urged to drop proposed biotech regulatory changes
T
he National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), in a joint statement submitted recently with four other agribusiness associations representing the grain and oilseed value chain, urged the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to withdraw its proposed regulations governing the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. APHIS requested comments on its proposed so-called “Part 340” regulatory revisions, which among other things would eliminate the notification process for certain genetically engineered organisms in favour of an affirmative permitting scheme. The NGFA, Corn Refiners Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Export Grain Association and North American Millers’ Association said the APHIS proposal was “premature” since governmental authorities in important US export markets have not been consulted adequately yet nor signalled acceptance of the agency’s proposed new regulatory approach. A failure to obtain such acceptance could result in significant disruptions in trade of US agricultural commodities and processed products, the NGFA and the other groups warned. They urged the agency to withdraw the proposed changes and instead turn its focus to
engaging with international governments to build a better understanding and acceptance of the reasons the agency is seeking to modify its regulatory oversight. The NGFA and the other organisations commented, “Above all else, APHIS needs to ‘do no harm’ by avoiding prematurely implementing a regulatory approach under its Part 340 rules with respect to advancements in genetic engineering technology that puts US grain and agri-bulk exports at risk.” They continued, “APHIS should not be working at crosspurposes to undercut the administration’s focus on trade and exports.” The NGFA and the same grain- and oilseed-based agribusiness organisations also submitted a joint statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request for comments on the use of genome-editing techniques to produce new plant varieties intended for use in human and/or animal food. The organisations recommended that FDA require notification from plant breeders that develop and intend to commercialise plant genome-editing techniques. This would enable the agency to be informed about the kinds of traits being developed so it can determine whether to advise seed developers to consult with the agency on any food safety or labelling-related issues prior to commercialisation of such gene-edited crops. The statement summarised, “In the absence of a notification requirement, the FDA’s awareness about the presence of foods developed through various plantbreeding techniques in other countries or regions of the world would be limited severely.”
AMANDUS KAHL GmbH & Co. KG Dieselstrasse 5–9 · 21465 Reinbek Hamburg, Germany
COMPLETE FEED MILLS PLANTS AND MACHINES
+49 (0) 40 72 77 10 info@akahl.de akahl.de
TURN-KEY SOLUTION Turn-key feed mills and plants for compound feed, shrimp and fish feed, pet food, premix / concentrate, roughage, straw, green forage.
36 | August 2017 - Milling and Grain