Argentina's Bioceres says GMO wheat gets OK from U.S. FDA (updated)

Bioceres Crop Solutions

27/06/2022 22:21

(New throughout, adds comments from USDA and consumer advocacy
groups)
    By Jorgelina   do Rosario and Tom Polansek
    LONDON/CHICAGO, June 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration concluded a review of Argentine biotechnology
firm Bioceres'  BIOX.BA  genetically modified (GMO) wheat
without further questions, a "key step" to commercializing it in
the United States, the company said on Monday.
    While corn and soy crops used predominantly to feed
livestock are commonly planted with GMO seeds, consumers have
long opposed GMO wheat for human consumption. 
    Bioceres says sentiment is changing with food prices soaring
due to the Ukraine war, as genetically modified crops can
survive drought and pests, reducing the risk of famine.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2Y924M
    The FDA did not respond to a request for comment. The
drought-resistant HB4 wheat would still need to be cleared by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    The FDA oversees the safety of food from new GMO crops
before they enter the market, while the USDA reviews the impact
on agriculture and the environment. 
    The FDA's voluntary consultation process relies on crop
developers' own data, consumer advocates said. 
    The process can give comfort to food companies that may one
day use the wheat, though the FDA relies on the company's
position that it is safe, said Greg Jaffe, biotechnology project
director for the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public
Interest. 
    "It's better than nothing," Jaffe said.
    Bioceres said the voluntary consultation program is a "key
step towards commercial establishment in the United States" and
that it is awaiting USDA approval. 
    The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which
regulates genetically engineered crops, said it does not have a
petition from Bioceres. 
    The USDA could exempt a GMO crop from regulatory review in
as little as 120 days if officials determine it does not pose an
increased risk for plant pests, said Bill Freese, scientific
director for the Center for Food Safety, an advocacy group.
     Otherwise, a review could take more than a year, he said.
    Bioceres said it plans to seek planting approvals next year
in Australia, which has approved the sale and use of foods that
contain HB4 wheat. Brazil is testing the variety.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2XQ132

 (Reporting by Jorgelina do Rosario in London and Caroline
Stauffer and Tom Polansek in Chicago; Writing by Adam Jourdan
and Tom Polansek, editing by Deepa Babington)
 ((adam.jourdan@thomsonreuters.com; +54 1155446882; Reuters
Messaging: adam.jourdan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))