Peterson on biotech approval process

Opening Statement by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson
Full Committee forum to review the biotechnology product regulatory approval process

--As Prepared for Delivery--

Good morning. Thank you Chairman Lucas for holding today’s forum and welcome, Secretary Vilsack and Mr. Conner, to the Committee. I recognize that the Committee has not formally organized and we are jumping into a complex topic, but the Department has some decisions to make very soon and I welcome today’s discussion.

As many people know, USDA’s release of the final Environmental Impact Statement on Roundup Ready alfalfa on December 16 lays out two options, including a partial deregulation option, the so-called Option 3.

It is worth noting that the recently completed EIS on alfalfa is one step in a drawn out process that has taken decisions about alfalfa production largely out of the hands of the agriculture community and moved them into the courtroom, litigated by lawyers and decided by judges who have no connection to agriculture.

I understand the concerns of those who think the restrictions listed under Option 3 could have negative long-term consequences for biotech product development and approval. It is a highly unusual step that arguably creates more questions than answers with respect to the science-based regulatory process, our trade policy with respect to biotechnology, and perhaps even the re-examination of previously approved biotech traits. I look forward to discussing those issues with the Secretary today.

But I don’t think we are completely looking at the big picture unless we recognize that endless litigation is a fact of life under the current biotech approval process. And if the only answer to the alfalfa question is one that leads us right back into the courtroom, where USDA’s track record in recent years is very poor, then I’m not sure how that benefits biotechnology in the long run.

On the sugarbeet issue in particular, the folks I have talked to have just about had it with these lawsuits. And I have talked to the Secretary enough times to know that he has about had it, too.

Along those lines, there has been a lot of discussion about the Secretary’s efforts to bring stakeholders together to discuss agricultural coexistence among those that understand agriculture rather than the courts.

Now whether or not these folks can reach an agreement remains to be seen, and I do recognize that having these discussions while the Department is trying to reach a conclusion on the alfalfa issue is causing problems for a lot of people. I also don’t know if I share the Secretary’s optimism because some folks will use every tool possible to try and shut down biotech crops. But I think that he is genuinely looking for an answer that doesn’t involve endless litigation.

Some have expressed concerns that a partial deregulation is beyond the scope of the Plant Protection Act. I look forward to hearing from the Secretary on this particular question today.

Again, I thank the Chair for calling today’s forum and look forward to hearing from our panelists