Innovations in plant breeding (PBI), global low-level presence (LLP) and biotechnology policy both domestically and abroad were on the agenda in Raleigh, N.C., this week as members of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Biotech Working Group met for their annual winter meeting. Hosted by Bayer CropScience, the meeting gave farmers and industry members an opportunity to explore many of the most pressing issues within the field of biotechnology and examine how these issues affect soybean farmers.The discussion was thought provoking, informative and included updates on Part 340 and the coordinated framework.

Ali Scott, Global Head of Regulatory Seeds, Bayer Crop Science provided led a session on LLP and the Global Low Level Presence Initiative. Rounding out the meeting were updates on the International Soy Grower Alliance and GMO Labeling Implementation and the Advanced Notice Proposed Rulemaking.

A key focus area of the meeting included in depth discussion on the current state of the regulatory process in China and the EU with the goal of defining new approaches and opportunities to speed up the process.

Grower members of the Biotech Working Group also had the opportunity to meet with Bayer Crop Science and tour their facility in Research Triangle Park.

ASA’s Biotech Working Group provides a consultative forum for the soy biotech industry to meet with key soybean industry and grower leadership on a consistent basis. The forum provides grower leaders the opportunity to review the progress of individual company traits, engage in dialogue and provide feedback along with the needed support and advocacy to advance approvals for new technologies.

The next meeting of the Biotech Working Group will be Sept. 6 - 8 2017 in Minneapolis, Minn.