September 4, 2024
Genetically modified wheat approved for US cultivation
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted approval for the cultivation of a genetically modified wheat variety developed by Argentina's Bioceres Crop Solutions, Reuters reported.
The wheat, known as HB4, has been engineered to tolerate drought conditions, offering a potential solution for farmers facing increasingly severe weather. However, the approval is likely to encounter resistance from some consumers and importers.
The US, the world's fourth-largest wheat producer, is now the fourth country to approve the production of HB4 wheat, following Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, according to Bioceres. Despite this approval, it will be several years before the wheat can be commercially grown in the US, as additional steps, including field trials, are required, stated US Wheat Associates, an industry group.
Michael Peters, an Oklahoma wheat farmer and past chairman of US Wheat Associates, expressed interest in the new technology, noting that drought affects wheat yields and quality worldwide. "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," Peters said.
Genetic modification, which involves altering a plant's genetic makeup by transferring DNA from one organism to another, is a common practice in crops such as corn used for livestock feed. However, genetically modified wheat has faced opposition from some consumer groups due to concerns about its impact on human health, particularly because wheat is a staple ingredient in bread and pasta.
US Wheat Associates acknowledged that the USDA's decision on HB4 wheat represents a significant step forward, further than the agency has ever gone with genetically modified wheat. Bioceres has noted that opposition to genetically modified wheat is waning due to rising food prices and the benefits of GM crops, such as increased resilience to drought and pests, which can reduce the risk of famine.
In May, Bioceres began selling genetically modified wheat seeds in Argentina, marking the first time this technology has been commercially available to farmers anywhere in the world. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review of Bioceres' wheat in 2022 without raising further questions. The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of food from new genetically modified crops before they enter the market, while the USDA evaluates their impact on agriculture and the environment.
Several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, and Chile, have approved HB4 wheat for food and feed use, according to Bioceres. The company has also received a license to conduct field trials in Australia with the potential for future production.
However, major buyers of US wheat, such as Mexico, the Philippines, and Japan, have not yet approved HB4 wheat. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has indicated that the country will closely monitor the situation and that any decision to purchase genetically modified wheat would depend on demand from millers and consumers.
Two decades ago, Monsanto Co attempted to commercialise a wheat variety designed to withstand its weed-killer Roundup, but the effort was halted in 2004 after international buyers threatened to boycott US wheat. Bayer AG, which purchased Monsanto in 2018, inherited this legacy of controversy surrounding genetically modified wheat.
Some grain traders have expressed concerns about the risk of genetically modified wheat mixing with non-GM wheat in bulk shipments. A German trader commented that while the controversy over GMOs has quieted in recent years, the refusal to accept GMOs in many importing regions, particularly in Europe and Asia, remains strong.
- Reuters