Philippine government conducts public consultations on Golden Rice field trials
The Philippine Dept. of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has given the go ahead to conduct public consultations on the proposed field trials for GR2E Golden Rice.
The Philippine Dept. of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has given the go ahead to conduct public consultations on the proposed field trials for GR2E Golden Rice. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the public consultation process is a significant component of biosafety regulatory approval under the Joint Dept. Circular No. 1 series of 2016. The consultation process is comprised of posting the Public Information Sheet in accessible community locations, a 30-day public comment period, and a public hearing. This provides community members with the opportunity to participate responsibly in a critical biosafety decision-making process.
The public consultation will take place on July 18 in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija and on July 20 in San Mateo, Isabela. Together with PhilRice, the IRRI is developing high-yielding inbred local rice varieties with the beta-carotene producing GR2E Golden Rice trait.
Golden Rice is currently undergoing the regulatory process in Bangladesh. Earlier this year, GR2E Golden Rice received positive food and safety assessments from three leading regulatory agencies: Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Health Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.