The Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it has approved the commercial propagation of genetically modified Golden Rice after more than a decade of field tests that drew strong opposition from anti-GMO activists.
The Philippines, which is one of the world’s biggest rice importers, is the first nation to approve the Vitamin A-enriched grain for planting, according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which helped develop Golden Rice.
Formal biosafety approval was issued last month, the DA and its attached agency, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), said in a statement.
The Philippines had been expected to approve the widespread planting of Golden Rice as early as 2011, but faced public concerns over health risks and opposition from various sectors, led by environmental groups.
Greenpeace has denounced the approval and called on the agriculture department to reverse the decision.
“The DA needs to ensure that farmers are central in a green and just recovery from the pandemic, and are supported by resilient food and farm systems in the face of the climate emergency,” said Wilhelmina Pelegrina, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, in a statement in July.
PhilRice Executive Director John de Leon, however, allayed health risk concerns.
“We have generated extensive data on the safety [of Golden Rice] in terms of national and international safety standards,” he said.
IRRI Director General Jean Balié said the milestone “puts the Philippines at the global forefront in leveraging agriculture research to address the issues of malnutrition and related health impacts in a safe and sustainable way.”
Golden Rice has received food safety approvals from regulators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, and is currently undergoing final regulatory review in Bangladesh, according to IRRI. — Reuters
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