USDA Foreign Agriculture Service released a report on agri-biotechnology in
the Philippines. According to the report, the Philippines continues to be a
regional leader in biotech research and commercialization, as well as a
model for science-based and thorough biotech regulatory policy.

The Philippines is now self-sufficient in corn after successful propagation
of biotech corn over the past decade. No environmental or health issues have
been reported regarding the use of biotech
<[www.isaaa.org]
load/02%20Maize%202013.pdf> corn varieties. In addition, with Golden Rice
and BT eggplant, the Philippines is poised to be the first Southeast Asian
country to commercialize locally developed GE crops. The success of the
Philippines in these food security efforts has attracted attacks from
anti-biotech groups that filed a lawsuit delaying the commercialization of
BT eggplant. Activist groups also destructed the field trials of Golden Rice
in 2013. According to academia, industry, and local government sources,
these anti-biotech activities have galvanized local stakeholders to
coordinate educational outreach activities to promote the safe and
responsible use of biotechnology.


[www.fas.usda.gov]
[www.fas.usda.gov]