Wheat Industry Comments on Conclusion of FDA Study of Drought Tolerant Wheat

The Food and Drug Administration recently concluded it has no further questions regarding the safety of drought-tolerant HB4 wheat, developed by Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.  In response, U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers issued a joint statement this week.  The groups say the finding by the FDA is not an approval for this or any other transgenic wheat to be planted for commercial sale in the United States.

To date, the HB4 wheat has been approved for commercial production within a closed system in Argentina only.  The trait has been approved for human consumption by regulators in Brazil in the form of flour, and in Australia, New Zealand and now in the United States.

Bioceres recently announced it will seek approval to plant HB4 wheat in Australia, but it has not announced plans to commercialize it in the United States.

The statement said, "The U.S. wheat industry recognizes the benefits and value that can be created through the prudent application of modern biotechnology."

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