The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) has called on the USDA to implement stronger regulations for plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) to ensure the safety and integrity of the U.S. food supply. GMA also urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support the use of non-food crops for PMP research and development.
The industry trade group has requested that biotech companies shift bio-pharmaceutical research away from major food crops such as corn and towards the use of non-food crops. Participants in the meeting also discussed other options for strengthening existing USDA regulations such as fields dedicated to growing PMPs only, mandatory time periods during which fields must lie fallow after field trials are completed and before food crops can be grown, and colorization of PMP crops.
The industry trade group has requested that biotech companies shift bio-pharmaceutical research away from major food crops such as corn and towards the use of non-food crops. Participants in the meeting also discussed other options for strengthening existing USDA regulations such as fields dedicated to growing PMPs only, mandatory time periods during which fields must lie fallow after field trials are completed and before food crops can be grown, and colorization of PMP crops.
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