NCGA News













NCGA Pleased With APHIS Action on Biotechnology (8-6-03)

The National Corn Growers Association is pleased with the new Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service interim rule on biotechnology regulations requiring those wanting to move, field test or import corn for the production of industrial enzymes to apply for a permit. The new rule appears today in the Federal Register.

According the USDA, recent requests involving genetically engineered industrial plants have used new, less familiar processes and non-food, non-feed traits that no longer qualify for the notification process. The rule strengthens APHIS’ regulations for field testing of genetically engineered industrial plants.

NCGA urged APHIS to consider permitting in a letter NCGA sent to the agency in November 2002.

“The Biotech Working Group is pleased that APHIS has addressed one of the concerns we had with corn for the production of industrial enzymes as they continue to refine and improve the regulations for these products,” said NCGA Biotech Working Group Chairman Leon Corzine.

As disclosed in NCGA’s plant-derived biologics (PDBs) policy, NCGA believes the following requirements should be adopted when growing PDBs:

  • Isolation from commodity corn through the use of:
    • Non-transgenic pollen or male sterile corn
    • Dedicated systems of production
    • Third party verification
    • A process that ensures plants containing an unapproved trait be 100% detassled
    • A fallow system where appropriate
    • Temporal separation by using growing degree-days; and
    • The development of technology protection systems in all pharmaceutical and industrial enzyme corn
  • A grower training, testing and auditing program to implement standard operating procedures.

A public comment period is under way through Oct. 6. Those wishing to comment can send an email to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Comments must be contained within the message body; do not send attached files.

Last reviewed August 6, 2003


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