Biotechnology

The North American Millers' Association (NAMA) supports food biotechnology.

NAMA supports the coordinated regulatory framework.

NAMA supports the current food labeling policy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

NAMA supports educational efforts needed to assist with consumer understanding and acceptance.

NAMA believes that as this technology moves forward, it is imperative that:

• The U.S. Government actively affirm the safety of products made from approved biotech crops and be pro-active in explaining the review process and the scientific basis for the commercialization of these products.

• Technology providers and regulators consider the following recommendations that fall under the headings of:

• Major market approval;
• Thresholds;
• Testing; and
• Identity preservation.

Major Market Approval
NAMA urges the appropriate government agencies to work as diligently as possible in all available international forums to advance the acceptance of products developed through biotechnology. No biotech grains should be released until regulatory approval has been obtained in all major markets for bulk grains and food products, assuming these major markets have functional approval processes in place.

For grains currently in the U.S. market without broad international approval, we strongly encourage technology providers to discontinue selling those seed varieties unless approvals are received and/or suitable tolerances can be established.

Thresholds
Reasonable thresholds must be adopted to allow the movement of grains with adventitious admixture.

Testing
NAMA strongly supports testing (when necessary or appropriate) of the inbound grain. At the same time, NAMA opposes testing on intermediate or finished products because it creates the potential to establish liability where none previously existed. Where testing is warranted, once the grain has been tested on receipt, it should be allowed to move normally through commerce.

Identity Preservation
The addition of cost without value addition is unsustainable in a competitive global marketplace. Even with appropriate financial incentives in place, an IP system cannot operate with a zero tolerance standard. A zero tolerance standard is not a realistic expectation in the world's supply chain environment.

last updated May 1, 2003

Read more:

NAMA Releases Statement on Biotechnology, May 21, 2001

Statement on BiotechnologyFood Labeling

Genetically Engineered Foods 2001:
A Consumer Guide to What's in Store

Food Chain Principles On Plant Biotechnology

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