The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

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Executive Order Directs Agencies to Streamline Biotech Regulation

July 2, 2019

Companies bringing a new biotech crop to the market currently face a costly, endless bureaucratic nightmare. No less than three federal agencies are involved. The process generally takes about 10 years. And it costs millions of dollars.

So President Trump signed an executive order in June directing the EPA, USDA, and FDA to streamline the regulatory procedure. It tasks the three agencies to do a number of things, including identifying regulations that can be streamlined and coordinated, create one website with guidance for companies trying to wade through the process, and remove unnecessary barriers for the technology to get to market. The order also asks the Secretary of State’s office to encourage dialogue to make biotechnology more acceptable to our trading partners.

The move comes after a lot of input on the current state of biotech regulations. The 2016 National Strategy for Modernizing the Regulatory System for Biotechnology Products and the 2017 Update to the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology clarified the federal government’s role and responsibility in overseeing biotech crops. And the Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force established in 2017 recommended further action to modernize the regulatory framework. The task force recommended ensuring coordination between regulatory agencies to maximize the benefits of biotech crops, while also making sure they’re safe for human consumption and use.

Biotech regulations should focus on ensuring crop safety for farmers, humans, animals, and the environment. It shouldn’t be used as an expensive barrier to block potential crops. Unfortunately, that’s where the current regulatory system stands.

I can still remember the exasperation in Neal Carter‘s voice when I asked him about the frequent criticism that GMOs are unregulated. Neal is the President of Arctic Apples, the non-browning apples. He told me then: ” Oh my goodness, that is a pretty stringent science based and onerous undertaking, let me tell you. You know people who make comments about the regulatory agencies and the lack of regulatory oversight really don’t understand the process, because it is extremely rigorous and, in fact, we are now heading towards a four years of science review and due diligence around this product. And when it comes to the regulatory requirements, they require an equivalent of four or five Ph.D.s.”

So the Executive Order is a step in the right direction. We don’t have to sacrifice safety and environmental stewardship. But we should remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles that don’t protect the public. Bringing all three agencies together should help increase transparency and build public trust. And it will help the companies, universities, and private innovators with new biotech products navigate the regulatory process with less hassle and cost.

Now the EPA, USDA, and FDA need to step up to the plate to streamline the regulatory process. And hopefully we can see a whole new generation of biotech crops enter the market faster and cheaper.

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Filed Under: Biotechnology, Government Affairs, Production Methods Tagged With: biotechnology, EPA, FDA, federal government, food safety, GMO, gmos, regulation, regulations, science, USDA

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

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thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finall Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finally!
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
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