Plant breeding innovation: Gene-edited plants not subject to US regulation

03 Apr 2018 --- The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) does not plan to regulate genome-edited plants, paving the way for quicker varietal innovation. Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques, as long as they are not planted pests or developed using plant pests.

This includes a set of new techniques that are increasingly being used by plant breeders to produce new plant varieties that are indistinguishable from those developed through traditional breeding methods.

Genome editing, the newest of these methods, expand traditional plant breeding tools because they can introduce new plant traits faster and much more precisely.

This can potentially save years or even decades in bringing needed new varieties to farmers, according to the USDA.

Stressing that the US is not shirking its regulatory responsibilities, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has stated to clarify the US stance on gene-edited plants.

“With this approach, USDA seeks to allow innovation when there is no risk present,” he said. “At the same time, I want to be clear to consumers that we will not be stepping away from our regulatory responsibilities.”

“While these crops do not require regulatory oversight, we do have an important role to play in protecting plant health by evaluating products developed using modern biotechnology. This is a role USDA has played for more than 30 years, and one that I will continue to take very seriously, as we work to modernize our technology-focused regulations.”

“Plant breeding innovation holds enormous promise for helping protect crops against drought and diseases while increasing nutritional value and eliminating allergens,” Perdue added.

“Using this science, farmers can continue to meet consumer expectations for healthful, affordable food produced in a manner that consumes fewer natural resources. This innovation will help farmers do what we aspire to do at USDA: do right and feed everyone.”

USDA is one of three federal agencies which regulate products of food and agricultural technology. Together, USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have a Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology that ensures these products are safe for the environment and human health.

USDA’s regulations focus on protecting plant health; FDA oversees food and feed safety; and EPA regulates the sale, distribution, and testing of pesticides to protect human health and the environment.

USDA continues to coordinate closely with its EPA and FDA partners to fulfill oversight responsibilities and provide the appropriate regulatory environment. This ensures the safety of products derived from new technologies while fostering innovation at the same time.