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.