The Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry green lights the conduct of public consultations on the proposed field trials for GR2E Golden Rice.
The public consultation process is a significant component of biosafety regulatory approval under the Joint Department Circular No. 1 series of 2016. The consultation process comprises public information sheet postings 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. Public consultations were held July 18 and July 19 in two different locations.
Together with PhilRice, the International Rice Research Institute is developing high-yielding inbred local rice varieties with the beta-carotene producing GR2E Golden Rice trait.
A complementary, food-based solution to vitamin A deficiency, Golden Rice is undergoing the regulatory process in Bangladesh. Earlier this year, GR2E Golden Ric, 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.
Source: International Rice Research Institute.
