BIO Statement on USDA and FDA Actions related to Pre-market Regulatory Oversight of Plant and Animal Organisms

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published today four documents related to the pre-market regulatory oversight of a variety of biology-based agricultural tools, including genetically engineered plants and plants and animals derived from certain newer precision breeding techniques, such as genome editing.

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), issues the following statement in response:

“The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) commends the Administration for undertaking a comprehensive review of the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology and for affirming its value as a robust and flexible structure that provides for appropriate oversight while protecting health and the environment. We look forward to reviewing in detail regulatory proposals published today by USDA and FDA as part of the Administration’s Coordinated Framework review effort.

“Biology-based agricultural innovation is absolutely essential to the future of food and agriculture production. BIO, along with the farm and food value chain, is actively engaging in discussions with the U.S. government in support of public policies that foster scientific progress and promote the development and commercialization of the very best biology-based agricultural products. We look forward to continuing these conversations with the new Administration and with the Congress in the coming days.”