What Others Are Saying
"Over the past decade the application of biotechnology to major food crops has been welcomed by many for its contributions to advancing production agriculture. Along with the expansion of this technology comes a responsibility to ensure that industry is playing a constructive role by developing and implementing standards and practices that protect and promote a sustainable food supply. BIO's Excellence Through Stewardship Program goes a long way toward achieving that goal."
- Cal Dooley, President and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association
"When businesses look at ways to enhance the safety and usefulness of their products, we believe good things will happen. BIO's new program creates some important benchmarks and sets in motion a process of continuous improvements. We look forward to the rewards this industry effort can have on the future of crop biotechnology."
- Adrian Polansky, Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Chair, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Biotechnology Task Force
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commends the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) for its commitment to develop best practices for managing agricultural biotechnology traits. Agricultural biotechnology offers benefits to U.S. agriculture as well as the world's consumers, and combined with its recently announced Product Stewardship Launch Policy, we believe BIO's commitment represents a good-faith step in meeting many of the significant challenges facing agricultural biotechnology, including minimizing disruptions to domestic and export markets for U.S. agricultural products.
- Kendell W. Keith, President, National Grain and Feed Association
"ASA welcomes the development of BIO's Life Cycle Stewardship Program. The adoption, implementation, and third party audits of a comprehensive set of quality management practices for biotech products throughout their life cycle are important steps to achieve full compliance with regulatory requirements and prevent trade disruptions. Full implementation of the program will help ensure that biotechnology continues to deliver its many benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment."
- Stephen Censky, American Soybean Association
"The plant science industry is committed to proper stewardship of biotech products from their conception to use and beyond. CropLife International welcomes and fully supports BIO's stewardship initiative to ensure a strong quality management program (QMP), and will assist where needed to promote its global implementation."
- CropLife International
"A stewardship program that aims to ensure quality crop product of the highest caliber is one of the most important initiatives organizations in the agriculture biotechnology field can pursue. It's an important opportunity for the industry to remind stakeholders and the American public of a commitment to abide by the highest standards and the great strides that have been taken to reach this level of commitment."
- National Corn Growers Association
"The North American Millers' Association is very pleased BIO has developed the "Product Life Cycle Stewardship Quality Management Program." We are particularly gratified that the program encompasses the full life cycle of products derived from biotechnology as well as a third-party audit component. It is clear a great deal of effort went into its creation, and it will enhance any individual company program already in place. We strongly support BIO's plans to reach out to academics and non-BIO members to encourage their participation in this program. BIO is taking an important step toward stewardship of an evolving science, and NAMA congratulates them for it."
- The North American Millers' Association
"The Quality Management Program set forth by BIO is an important step forward for the biotechnology industry. It provides a framework that facilitates responsible stewardship of biotechnology-derived traits coupled with full compliance to all applicable regulations. This is an excellent concept which will create unity within the industry. This program will instill public confidence in a technology which is becoming the cornerstone for the next Green Revolution. We are grateful that BIO has taken the lead and created this Quality Management Program."
- Barry Morton, Director of Science & Technology, The National Association of Wheat Growers
“Today's announcement of a product life cycle stewardship program is a welcomed step in the right direction. We fully support the plan of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Biotechnology holds promise for rice farmers, but only when this technology has received full regulatory approval in the United States and export markets and consumer acceptance. The stewardship plan announced today reinforces the necessity for biotechnology providers to obtain widespread regulatory approval before putting their products on the commercial market. We will continue to work with the biotechnology industry on the equal importance of consumer acceptance prior to product launch.”
- Al Montna, USA Rice Federation chairman and rice producer from Yuba City, California
"ARA supports the extensive effort that the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has put into their new Product Life Cycle Stewardship program. ARA members are leading suppliers of seed to growers and this new initiative will provide management guidance for protection of America's major crops helping to ensure public confidence in the quality and safety of our abundant food supply."
- Jack Eberspacher, CEO & President, Agricultural Retailers Associations
"The plant science industry is committed to proper stewardship of biotech products from their conception to use and beyond. CropLife International welcomes and fully supports BIO's stewardship initiative to ensure a strong quality management system (QMP), and will assist where needed to promote its global implementation."
- CropLife International
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