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ASTA has some concerns about new GE crop study

The American Seed Trade Association says the National Academy of Science report confirming the safety of GMO crops is welcome but they are concerned with another part of the study. Andy LaVigne is president and CEO of the ASTA tells Brownfield Ag News they are concerned about, “Some of the issues that were raised with respect to plant breeding – breeding techniques and how the government may need to look at further regulations that would incorporate plant breeding. It’s a whole new area that really concerns us and we want to make sure that this is handled properly.”

He says plant breeding has a long history and breeders continually develop and improve varieties, “With no adverse effect whether it’s on raw material, raw product like produce or whether it’s on processed product that may go into food or feed or fiber. That’s what the industry does and right now there’s market regulation once it gets into the marketplace but there’s no pre-market approval for these products.”

LaVigne says his group is carefully looking over the more than 400 page, comprehensive GMO report released this week by the National Research Council which is part of the science academy.

AUDIO: Interview with Andy LaVigne: