Canada has joined Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Paraguay, the United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, and the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in supporting the International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology. The Statement sends a strong message to governments around the world that we must strive for functional, risk-based regulatory approaches that encourage innovation and facilitate trade if we are to more effectively unlock the benefits from the latest scientific advances such as gene editing.
In supporting the International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology, Canada is committing to work with international partners to minimize unnecessary barriers to trade related to the regulatory oversight of products of precision biotechnology.
"We are committed to supporting agricultural innovation, here in Canada and abroad, recognizing its essential role in growing prosperous economies. Today, we are sending a strong message that we stand ready to work with our global partners in support of transparent, predictable and science-based regulatory approaches to reduce potential trade disruptions and allow for the commercialization of precision biotechnology products", said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
"Canada has a long and distinguished history as a global leader in developing and supporting a rules-based international trading order. We will continue to work cooperatively with other governments to minimize unnecessary barriers to trade, including those related to the regulatory oversight of products of precision biotechnology", added Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification.
For more information:
www.agr.gc.ca