USDA Clears Path for GM Wheat, yet Global Market Uncertain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cleared a major regulatory hurdle for Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.’s HB4 wheat technology, potentially paving the way for the first genetically modified wheat to enter the North American market. This milestone, announced today, marks a transformative moment in agricultural biotechnology, though it is not without its challenges.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducted a thorough analysis of HB4 wheat. It concluded that it poses no greater risk of becoming a plant pest than traditional wheat varieties. As a result, HB4 wheat will not be subject to the stringent regulations under 7 CFR part 340, which govern genetically engineered organisms.
“Wherever wheat is grown in the world, drought takes its toll on yields and quality, so an innovation like HB4 holds a lot of interest for growers like me,” said U.S. Wheat Associates Past Chairman and Okarche, Oklahoma, wheat grower Michael Peters. “With global demand for wheat hitting new records almost every year, there is concern about variable production.
However, despite this regulatory success, major international buyers of U.S. wheat, including Mexico, the Philippines, and Japan, have not approved HB4 wheat. This raises concerns about the market acceptance of genetically modified wheat, echoing a situation from two decades ago.