Stakeholders to Examine Biotech Regulatory Process at NCGA Conference
(01-21-05)
In an effort to address
the regulatory issues surrounding new agricultural biotech products,
the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is sponsoring the Second
Generation Ag Biotech Conference March 15 in Washington, D.C.
Despite the success and
increasing adoption of biotech crops, opposition and questions remain
regarding how new innovations will be regulated in the future. Many
of those questions and concerns will likely be directed at the “second
generation” of biotech products, which will introduce output
traits with industrial characteristics, according to Nathan Danielson,
NCGA director of biotechnology.
“These traits and
technologies will need oversight and the regulatory landscape is
likely to become increasingly complex as new traits and new technologies
enter the marketplace,” Danielson said. “Both critics
and proponents of agricultural biotechnology admit the system needs
to evolve to address future challenges and opportunities.”
Examples of future industrial
characteristics include enzymes that will enhance ethanol and pharmaceutical
production and technologies that allow rapid and precise integration
of multiple genes.
Danielson said the conference
will address the challenges these new technologies may pose to the
regulatory system. The event will also serve as a forum for discussion
on the specific challenges stakeholders will face in the future.
“We’ll cover
a wide spectrum of topics relating to second generation biotech
products, ranging from how the United States will deal with biotech
events produced in other countries to how we can balance the need
for new technologies with the need to protect markets,” he
said.
The event will
begin at 9 a.m. in the Altria offices at 101 Constitution Ave. NW,
fourth floor in Washington. The conference will be followed by a
reception. Registration fees are $125 for NCGA members and $175
for non-members, with fees increasing by $25 after Feb. 26. For
more information or to register, contact Cathy Durham at (636) 733-9004,
ext. 144; or e-mail, durham@ncga.com.