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Croplife joins PSIA, ISAAA in seeking reversal of GM moratorium; seeks more stringent regulation
CropLife Philippines, the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) have jointly expressed concern over the recent Court of Appeals decision to ban Golden Rice and BT eggplant. This ruling also covers the review and approval of all genetically modified (GM) crops, affecting their use in food, feed, processing, and cultivation.
According to the statement, the decision not only impacts Golden Rice and BT eggplant but also disrupts the entire biotech sector, which follows international safety standards. GM crops, among the most studied and regulated products globally, have not been linked to any health issues since their introduction in the 1990s. The lengthy development and approval process for GM crops, taking around 16 years and significant investment, underscores their safety and importance. The Philippines, an early adopter of GM crops like yellow corn, has seen substantial benefits, including higher yields and better pest control. GM yellow corn, which combats pests like the Fall Armyworm, is crucial for nearly a million Filipino farmers and has significantly increased productivity and sustainability in agriculture. The court’s decision threatens to hinder farmers' access to key technologies, which impacts national corn production and food security. The Philippines relies on importing GM commodities for the livestock and poultry industries, and any disruptions could raise food prices further, affecting all Filipino families. As a countermeasure to health and safety concerns, CropLife, PSIA, and ISAAA are asking the government to continue regulatory processes for GM crops under the current Joint Department Circular (JDC) and ensure the issuance of necessary import clearances. They stressed that modern, science-based agricultural solutions are vital for addressing challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. |
CA moratorium on GM products can cause ripple effect in value chain; massive wave of price hikes for meat, fish – PSIA
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