The American Soybean Association (ASA) this week urged the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remember the long history of safe use of biotechnology products and the benefits to agriculture as they consider possible changes to regulations.

“U.S. farmers have grown soybeans and other biotech crops for more than 20 years, with no evidence of harm to the environment or to human or animal health,” ASA states in a letter to APHIS. “Innovative tools can help solve a range of problems including food, climate and environmental challenges. Policymakers should be mindful of the impact that non-risk based regulations could have on the opportunity to introduce useful innovations that address these complex global challenges in the coming years.”

ASA also pointed out U.S. growers have adopted biotech crops at an unprecedented rate because of the many environmental and economic benefits they provide.

“A regulatory system that impedes the development of safe products that improve agricultural sustainability benefits no one,” the letter states. “Regulations should be seen as a means to an end, not an end in themselves. In our case, the goal should be to provide U.S. growers with safe and effective products through a predictable and expedient regulatory process.”

Click here to read the entire letter.