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EPA proposes biotech rule change

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that would streamline the regulation of certain insecticide traits in crops.  EPA wants to allow certain plant-incorporated protectants using biotechnology if the trait is sexually compatible with the recipient plant.  The current rule only allows moving the traits through conventional breeding.

EPA says allowing the change would lower the regulatory costs, expand research, and improve commercialization of pest control options for farmers.  They also say the bioengineered crops would reduce the use of conventional pesticides, benefiting the environment.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register Tuesday, and public comments are being accepted for sixty days. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler issued a statement saying that embracing this technology through a transparent, consistent, and science-based process is long overdue, and will secure benefits to American agriculture well into the future.