FOOD CHAIN PRINCIPLES ON PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
The undersigned organizations include members of all sectors of the U.S. food chain, including producers, processors, merchandisers, transporters, product manufacturers, seed companies, and technology providers. These organizations support food biotechnology as a tool that can improve product quality, increase production efficiency, allow more judicious use of agricultural chemicals and help meet growing domestic and world food demand. These organizations support the following principles:
Promotion of Benefits of Biotechnology. Individually, and through other appropriate organizations, our organizations are committed to informing the public about the current and future benefits, both direct and indirect of the application of biotechnology to food and fiber production. We will continue, as appropriate, to participate in educational efforts needed to assist with consumer understanding and acceptance of the safety review processes, benefits and innovations occurring in agricultural biotechnology.
Support for U.S. Regulatory Framework. Our organizations fully support the coordinated regulatory framework established by the U.S. government to oversee introduction of new products from biotechnology and its implementation by the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration. This process is scientifically-based, relies on prudent risk-analysis and provides for truthful and non-misleading voluntary labeling of food products.
Support for the Safety of Agricultural Biotechnology. Our organizations are committed to assisting our members in producing safe and nutritious foods for consumers. We believe the safety reviews and oversight inherent in the U.S. regulatory system further that goal, and we have full confidence in the food and environmental safety of foods being marketed that were developed using plant biotechnology.
Support for an Emerging Marketplace. Our organizations recognize that agricultural biotechnology, like other technologies, should find its place in an efficient, free marketplace. In that marketplace, consumers and individual food chain members may choose to consider a variety of factors in their decisions to buy and market products, including whether they are produced from biotech or conventional raw materials. We also recognize that agricultural producers should have the choice to either use or not use biotechnology as a tool in their production systems, and that all participants must have timely technical and market information. We recognize that separation of product streams, for whatever reason, entails additional costs that must be allocated in the marketplace.
Maintaining Industry Communication. Our organizations, individually and through formal and informal coalitions, are committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue on agricultural biotechnology throughout the food chain. This includes coordinating responses to developments in public policy on agricultural biotechnology.
The above principles should be presented to the Congress, the Administration, and Executive Branch agencies that have jurisdiction over different aspects of the biotech agenda. These presentations should include requests that:
- The
Administration should actively affirm the
safety of products made from approved biotech
crops.
- The
Administration should coordinate the effort
of agencies with regulatory responsibility
for reviewing commercial introduction of
biotech crops. Agencies must assume greater
responsibility for public education about
biotechnology, be pro-active in explaining
the review process and the scientific basis
for the commercialization of these products,
and respond to inaccurate or otherwise
unfounded criticisms of biotech crops and
products; and,
- The Administration should make a high-level commitment to resolving international regulatory and trade issues involving biotechnology, using the expertise of existing trade and regulatory agencies guided by coordination by the White House and relevant international organizations.
| The Sugar Association, Inc. | Corn Refiners Association |
| National Food Processors Association | American Meat Institute |
| Agricultural Transporters Conference | American Soybean Association |
| Biotechnology Industry Organization | DuPont |
| Pioneer Hi-Bred International | USA Rice Federation |
| U.S. Grains Council | North American Millers' Assoc. |
| Monsanto Company | Corn Refiners Association |
| Archer Daniels Midland Company | American Crop Protection Assoc. |
| National Corn Growers Association |
For further information, please contact: Agricultural Biotechnology Forum, 1629 K Street, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C., Paul Weller, coordinator. Telephone: 202/785-6710.
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