The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) brought the farmers'
perspective on important conversations during the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) public
comment meeting held at the University of California, Davis on June 13,
2017. The public meeting, which was the second of three, allowed the
opportunity to provide input on the proposed rule that would modify the
science-based federal regulatory framework that regulates the use of
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genetically engineered organisms in agriculture.

Leon Corzine, NCGA past president, and Freedom to Operate Action Team Vice
Chair Brandon Hunnicutt both spoke at the meeting, providing insight into
the impact that such regulations have upon
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farmers. They emphasized the importance of
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.asp> biotech tools, and stressed the value farmers place on regulatory
efficiency and transparency in a system based solidly on science. Farmer
leaders urged the officials present at the meeting to refine the proposal so
that USDA can chart a path forward for agricultural biotechnology and
products derived from other precision breeding tools that offers regulatory
relief and consistency.

During the meeting, comments noted that farmers have a strong interest in
reducing the regulatory burden that stifles innovation and suppresses
competition. Farmers expressed the need to maintain access to tools that
will allow them to quickly react to increasing environmental challenges. The
first session was conducted in Kansas City on June 6, while the final
session will be held in Riverdale, Maryland.

[www.ncga.com]
ngs-farmer-perspective-to-biotech-regulatory-discussions