Philippine Biotech Regulations

NAEGA has learned of updates on the Philippine’s biotechnology regime from FAS Manila. As we understand the current status of biotech trait approvals needed for import in the Philippines remains as reported in NAEGA’s August 15 Outreach. Several GMO traits that may be found in U.S. supplies lack needed regulatory acceptance, they include:

New approval pending:
Soybean - MON 87708 X MON 89788 - RR2Xtend stack
Corn – Syngenta 5307 – Duracade which is in several stacks

Renewed Approval needed:
Soybean - A5547-127 – Bayer Liberty Link
Corn - MON 89034 x NK603 (PowerCore / Smart Stax)
Corn - Mon 88017 - (YieldGuard VT Rootworm)
Corn - Mon 88017 x Mon810 (YieldGuard VT Triple)
Corn - Bt11 x corn DAS59122 x corn MIR604 x corn TC1507 x Corn GA21 (Agrisure Viptera)

However, new developments have occurred related to an August 22 Philippines Supreme Court ruling on the biotechnology regulatory regime. On Monday, August 22 the Supreme Court released a ruling stating that the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Ruling on biotechnology regulation (AO8) did have appropriate measures to monitor planting trials and did not necessarily lead to uncontrolled planting (as alleged in its previous ruling) – a reversal of its previous ruling. In addition, the ruling notes that the new regulatory regime currently under development by the government will still supersede the old regime (AO8) that was overturned in the Supreme Court’s December 2015 ruling.

Amidst this news, NAEGA is working closely with FAS Manila, FAS Washington and other industry stakeholders to receive certainty about the current state of affairs and how the new Supreme Court ruling will be applied. A copy of the ruling released on August 22 can be found here:

ISAAA vs. Greepeace Southeast Asia – G.R. No. 209271

Further background information on this situation can be found on the NAEGA Members Only website. Please contact Gary and Ryan with any questions.

New NAEGA Address

NAEGA has moved! You can now find NAEGA at its new headquarters in Arlington, VA at:

NAEGA’s new headquarters are located conveniently off the Crystal City Metro stop. All NAEGA email addresses and phone numbers will remain the same.

DHS Response to Container Scanning

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a response to a multi-industry letter signed by NAEGA regarding DHS’s recent decision to extend the deadline for full scale implementation of the 100 percent container scanning rule. The original letter, which can be found here, offered strong support for the department’s decision and offered support for a legislative reevaluation of the mandate. In the letter, DHS Assistant Secretary of International Affairs and Chief Diplomatic Officer Alan Bersin states his continued support for delaying implementation of the mandate until appropriate technological systems are in place. While he states that the Department is committed to implementing the mandate, he also stated that DHS remains committed to working with industry and other stakeholders to move towards the law’s objectives.

A full copy of the letter can be found here. For more information, please contact Gary or Ryan.

IGTC Newsletter

The newest edition of the IGTC Newsletter is now available! This week’s newsletter includes an update on the IGTC ISPM advocacy strategy, a link to the IGTC poll on electronic documentation, and a new report from the Swiss Academies of Science on plant breeding innovation. A copy of the newsletter can be found on the IGTC intranet at www.igtcglobal.org or by clicking here.

IGTC Newsletter

The newest edition of the IGTC Newsletter is now available! This week’s newsletter includes coverage of two new policy documents approved this week by the IGTC Management Council, information on an IGTC survey on electronic trade documentation and an opportunity to provide comments on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety’s draft ministerial declaration ahead of its meetings in Cancun.  A copy of the newsletter can be found on the IGTC intranet at www.igtcglobal.org or by clicking here.