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A Survey of Programmatic Activities Supporting Coexistence
Michael Schechtman
Executive Secretary, AC21
What will and will not be coveredProgrammatic activities within and outside
governmentNot a comprehensive surveyDoes not cover the vital role of farmer-to-
farmer and other informal communicationsOnly covers activities relating to products
intended to be in commerce, i.e., not products still in R & D phase, for which there are various regulatory compliance programs
CaveatsDescriptions will be briefOthers in this room may be more
knowledgeable on some of these activitiesAdditional presentations on individual topics
may be provided at a subsequent meetingSome relevant topics relating to organic and
other identity-preserved production practices will be covered in the next talk.
Ongoing USDA ProgramsBiotechnology Risk Assessment Grants
(BRAG) ProgramSupported by a 2% withholding on
expenditures for biotechnology research within USDA .
Jointly administered by the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Program in existence since 1992.Over the past 3 years, an average of 15
proposal funded per year.
Ongoing USDA Programs, continuedBRAG program, continued
Supports both risk assessment and risk management research, including research on the biology of pollen flow in different species and methods to control gene transfer or its consequences and a variety of other topics
Does not support research on food safety, human or animal health, social or economic issues, methods for seed storage, clinical trials, commercial product development, product marketing strategies, or marketing or trade issues.
Ongoing USDA Programs, continuedVoluntary market facilitation services
Developed by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
To facilitate the marketing of conventional and genetically engineered foods, fibers, grains, and oilseeds in both domestic and international markets. GIPSA for the bulk grain and oilseed markets AMS for food commodities such as fruits and
vegetables, as well as for fiber commodities.
Ongoing USDA Programs, continuedVoluntary market facilitation services, continued
Evaluation of performance of commercially available protein detection kits—GIPSA and AMS
Proficiency program to evaluate the performance of laboratories conducting DNA-based tests to detect genetically engineered materials—GIPSA
Identity Preservation/Process Verification for third-party audit and certification of use of written quality practices and/or production processes by producers who differentiate their commodities using identity preservation, testing, and product branding—GIPSA and AMS
Fee-based DNA and protein testing services for food and fiber products--AMS
USDA Programs announced in 2011Reviving the National Genetic Resources
Advisory Council (NGRAC)The purpose of the Council is to
formulate recommendations on actions and policies for the collection, maintenance, and utilization of genetic resources by ARS; make recommendations for coordination of genetic resources plans of domestic and international organizations; and to advise the Secretary of Agriculture and the National Genetic Resources Program Director of new and innovative approaches to genetic resources conservation.
USDA Programs announced in 2011, continuedNGRAC, continued
Advice to USDA to ensure that the National Genetic Resources Program serves the needs of all farmers for high quality seed (both GE and non-GE)
Advice on Developing a broad strategy for maintaining plant
biodiversity available to farmers Strengthening public sector breeding capacities Working with the private sector to ensure an
adequate diversity of high quality seeds for all U.S. farmers.
Cross-talk between the NGRAC and the AC21
USDA Programs announced in 2011, continuedWorkshop on the Science of Gene Flow in
Agriculture and its Role in Coexistence To be held September 7-8 at USDAExperts from academia and industry will discuss
biology related to gene flow and persistence, as well as current and upcoming technologies to control gene flow
Current and future strategies, both transgenic and non-transgenic, to minimize gene flow and maintain seed purity in all sectors of the agricultural community
Participants from the seed and plant production industries, the plant sciences community, and government
USDA programs announced in 2011, continuedClarified National Organic Program policy on GMOs
The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations prohibit the use of GMOs as “excluded methods.”
NOP is process based. The presence of a detectable residue from a genetically modified organism alone does not necessarily constitute a violation of this regulation.
NOP producers must take reasonable steps to avoid contact with the products of excluded methods as detailed in their approved organic system plan.
Organic certifying agents work with organic producers to identify the source of the inadvertent GMO material when found and to implement improvements to prevent contact with GMOs in the future.
USDA 2011 Programs related to alfalfa A series of programs were announced specific to alfalfa when Secretary
Vilsack announced the USDA decision to deregulate GE Roundup Ready alfalfa in January, 2011.
The BRAG program is committing $1 million for a research project focusing on GE alfalfa, which aims to restrict pollen flow and promote coexistence of production.
ARS Workshop with maize and alfalfa geneticists ARS corn geneticists have identified genes that cause corn lines to be protected
from unwanted pollination by foreign pollen. These genes are being incorporated into corn lines to make them non‐receptive to transgenic pollen.
Can knowledge about these corn genes can be applied to develop a similar genetic mechanism for restricting out‐crossing of alfalfa with foreign pollen?
NIFA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program call for proposals for improved detection of transgenes in alfalfa seeds and hay; and improving handling of forage seeds, from seed production to marketing.
Ongoing NIFA grants funding alfalfa breeding/improvement programs at nine Land Grant Universities around the United States. Opportunities to strengthen these roles?
Industry programsBiotechnology industry Excellence Through
Stewardship programInitiative to promote the global adoption of
stewardship programs and quality management systems for the full life cycle of biotechnology-derived plant products.
Mission: “To promote the responsible management of plant biotechnology, primarily by developing and encouraging implementation of product stewardship practices and by educating the public about those practices.”
Industry programs, continuedETS, continued
Members must adopt Stewardship Objectives, Principles and Management Practices to Fully comply with applicable regulatory requirements, Seek to achieve and maintain plant product integrity, and Work to prevent trade disruptions in order to facilitate
the flow of goods in commerce.Includes third-party audits of member systems for
stewardship and quality management practicesAddresses reproductive isolation in seed production
but does not specifically address pollen/gene outflow from crop fields
Industry programs, continuedAmerican Seed Trade Association
documentsCoexistence principles highlight the
importance of seed quality standards, management practices, cooperation, third-party validation, and communication
Enumeration of existing seed industry practices that address coexistence Notes some practices employed regionally Offers examples of how coexistence is promoted in
different types of seed production.Practical guide to seed quality management
Industry programs, continuedMostly directed toward preserving export
marketsNational Corn Growers Association “Know
before you grow” program Provides growers with information on regulatory
status of GE corn varieties in major markets worldwide
Provides recommendations for channeling production of corn varieties not yet approved in other markets, especially the EU.
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