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| Amylase corn deregulated for ethanol use; NAMA cries foul |
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By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Syngenta’s corn amylase trait – the first genetically modified output trait in corn for the ethanol industry – has received full deregulation from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The announcement deregulates corn genetically engineered to produce a common enzyme called alpha-amylase that breaks down starch into sugar, thereby facilitating a vital step in ethanol production.
“APHIS conducted a plant pest risk assessment and found this line of corn does not pose a plant pest risk, and should no longer be subject to regulations by APHIS,” said Michael Gregoire, deputy administrator for APHIS’ biotechnology regulatory services. “APHIS’ deregulation decision is based on the findings of our plant pest risk assessment and environmental assessment.”
APHIS has regulated this line of corn through its notification and permitting process since 2002. The corn successfully completed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food/feed safety consultation in August 2007.
Syngenta Seeds, Inc. requested that APHIS grant nonregulated status to its 3272 Amylase Corn Trait in 2005. In 2008, the agency prepared a plant pest risk assessment as required by the Plant Protection Act and an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Both documents were made available for public review and comment, and APHIS received more than 13,000 comments.
Syngenta will sell seed with the amylase trait as Enogen corn seed.
“Enogen corn seed offers growers an opportunity to cultivate a premium specialty crop. It is a breakthrough product that provides U.S. ethanol producers with a proven means to generate more gallons of ethanol from their existing facilities,” said Davor Pisk, chief operating officer for Syngenta. “Enogen corn also reduces the energy and water consumed in the production process while substantially reducing carbon emissions.”
The seed will be available for the coming growing season, but Syngenta will work with only a small number of corn growers and ethanol plants this year to prepare for large-scale commercial introduction in 2012. Production of Enogen corn will be managed by Syngenta using a contracted, closed production system.
The corn amylase trait has already been approved for import into several countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia and Taiwan. It has also been approved for cultivation in Canada. But not everyone is comfortable with deregulation of the genetically engineered corn trait without certain conditions.
The North American Millers’ Assoc. (NAMA) said the USDA failed to use its authority to consider the petition for deregulation as one for the production of a plant-made industrial product, that would have provided for a more scientific review. It cited Syngenta’s own scientific data released last month that shows if amylase corn is comingled with other corn, it will have significant adverse impacts on food product quality and performance.
“USDA has failed to provide the public with sufficient scientific data on the economic impacts of contamination on food production, or information on how USDA will ensure Syngenta’s compliance with a stewardship plan,” said Mary Waters, president of NAMA.
The trade association represents 43 companies that operate 170 wheat, oat and corn mills in 38 states and Canada, with a collective production capacity of 160 million pounds of product each day, more than 95 percent of the total industry production.
“NAMA has been a strong supporter for the development of food biotechnology as a tool that can improve product quality and increase domestic production to meet growing domestic and world food demand,” Waters said. “With proper analysis and oversight the introduction of output traits can be beneficial to the entire food chain.”
But she said Syngenta’s 3272 contains a powerful enzyme that breaks down the starch in corn rapidly, a cost-saving function for ethanol production.
If it should enter the food processing stream, the same function that benefits ethanol production will damage the quality of food products such as breakfast cereals, snack foods and battered products.
APHIS acknowledged the concern of NAMA and other food-processing stakeholders.
“We are pleased that these segments of industry continue to dialogue with Syngenta on research and testing efforts, and encourage these parties to continue their efforts to resolve the issues that remain,” Gregoire said. |
| 2/23/2011 |
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