Plant Biotechnology and Global Food Production: Trade Implications

The views expressed in this position paper are those of the members of the International Policy Council on Agriculture, Food and Trade. Preface The idea behind the following IPC position paper was initially discussed at the time of the 1st Annual IPC Agri-Forum and the IPC's 20th plenary meeting in October 1997 in the Hague. A draft paper was then developed by a task force comprised of IPC members and industry specialists over the winter The IPC would like to thank Dale Hathaway for chairing the task force and for his work writing and editing the paper, Jim Enyart and Rob Johnson for their contributions, and Peter Lacy for his editing. The paper reflects the views of the IPC on plant biotechnology and should not be attributed to any other organization or individual. 3 Overview Plants produced using modern biotechnology are creating controversy in many places due to consumer concerns about food safety and environmental impact. These concerns often translate into policies that risk disrupting international trade flows. At the same time, biotechnology is generating optimism about the world's capacity to feed future populations. The aim of the present position paper by the International Policy Council on Agriculture, Food and Trade (IPC) is to explain the nature of these concerns and the importance of biotechnology, and to make policy recommendations outlining the safeguards and trade rules required to protect consumers and the environment and to allow international commerce to proceed uninhibited. To dramatically increase the world's food output in coming decades without causing significant environmental hazards will require finding ways to improve plant characteristics to lower production costs and increase yields on existing farmland. Plant biotechnology offers promise to face such challenges, making it a significant development in the field of plant science. Policy responses to these products today are continuing to evolve. An international consensus on regulatory review processes has emerged, however differences among national regulatory regimes, particularly between the US and Europe, need to be bridged to prevent trade conflicts from erupting. The paper suggests reliance on science-based assessment procedures to determine the safety of plant products produced using biotechnology. The use of mutual recognition agreements among governments should help smooth trade relations between countries employing different regulatory regimes, and where MRAs are not possible, national approval processes should be made more transparent. When international agreement that such products are substantially equivalent to their traditional counterparts is lacking, …