The Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative
EES meeting, Sept 25, 2006
Presenter: Ann Marie ThroCSREES USDA
202 401 [email protected]
Specialty Crops
• ~ 50% of annual value of US ag production• $43B annual sales• 26 states >50% ag crop sales• 33 states >40% ag crop sales
Examples of SAES investment
Research investment to produce transgenic plants:
Tomato virus resistance Florida Citrus virus resistance TexasCitrus bacterial resistance FloridaPotato insect resistant (Bt) Michigan Potato fungus resistant OregonGrape bacterial resistant Florida
Examples of SAES investment
Research investment involving gene cloning and eventually transgenic plants:
Apple disease resistance IllinoisPoplar production and quality OregonPotato processing quality Minnesota
Model spp. abiotic stress tolerance CN, CA, IN,WI
Examples of ARD investment
Grape bacterial resistant FA&MUOrnamentals fungus resistant TN State U., Fort Valley SU Sweet Potato various traits Tuskegee
[Small farmer crops various traits Alabama A&M, Alcorn]
Specialty Crops
• High value – but -- low acreage for any one cultivar (variety)
• Is research on transgenic crops stalling out?
US field trials, transgenic fruits & vegetables, 1987 to Oct 2004 (from: Redenbaugh, in Goldner, Thro, and Radin, 2005).
020406080
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ield
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Brassica oleracea
Carrot
Cucumber
Eggplant
Lettuce
Melon
Onion
Pea
Pepper
Squash
Tomato
Watermelon
SCRI LaunchedWorkshop Nov. 8-9, 2004 Report: www.csrees.usda.gov >home>biotechnology &
genomics>biotechnology> partnerships>Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative
identify potential constraints associated with regulatory process
how might constraints be addressed? (science-based) are there current activities/programs that
might be a model?
Consensus from Workshop constraints include costs and uncertainty an entity to assist in guiding biotech- derived
products through regulatory process prioritize, public good and societal value simple organization (+ IR-4 model)
concept with broad support, public +privatedevelop a concept paper
SCRI EvolvesWorkshop Nov. 21-22, 2005
refined conceptconsensus on a brief descriptionplans for potential implementation
SCRI GoalCreate an entity that will contribute to
enhancing the potential for U. S. consumers and growers/farmers to realize benefits from biotech-derived specialty crops
SCRI MissionFacilitate obtaining regulatory clearance for
biotech-derived specialty cropsPrioritized cases
Initially, products of public good and societal value
SCRI Scopewill work within existing regulations candidate products should have feasibility to
reach farmers and consumers: developer should demonstrate reasonable plans for:
right to operate / intellectual property commercialization, stewardship
SCRI StructureStakeholder Liaison Committee
Broad participation, all relevant stakeholders Identify and prioritize opportunities; communicate
program; resourcesProgram Management Committee
Programmatic guidance and oversight, policy, budget
Headquarters Staff Science based team with support staff
SCRI Status public private supportstakeholder supportseed funds from OSEC, USDAretained consultant for development
SAES and the SCRI SAES are major investors and stakeholdersInvestment may be lost if current trends
continueSCRI will need SAES support
Input for development plan and business plan Input to help identify potential priority products Financial support
Appendix 1: Details, SCRI status, Sept 2006 Public-private coalition for moving forward to realize SCRI Planning team represents:
Federal and state public research, incl.1862 & 1890 land grants; USDA (CSREES, ARS, APHIS, FAS), private sector research; technology providers; agribusiness; growers
Broad support from stakeholders, e.g. American Seed Trade Association American Farm Bureau Federation
Seed funding grant from Office of the Secretary, USDA To begin stakeholder consultation process Develop a business plan and implementation plan
Consultant hired Summer 2006 Start up meeting with public/private planning team
-- Aug 15, 2006
Appendix 2: SCRI Steering Committee 2006Batkin, Ted- Citrus Research Board - Growers/farmersBlalock, June - Agricultural Research Service, USDA - Public sector crop developerBradford, Kent - U California Davis - Public sector crop developerDobres, Michael - NovaFlora, Inc. - Private sector crop developerDouches, David - Michigan State University - Public sector crop developer Goldner, Bill - CSREES, USDA - Federal resource personGutterson, Neal - Mendel Biotechnologies - Private sector crop developerHood, Elizabeth - Arkansas State University - Public sector crop developerJoshee, Nirmal - Fort Valley SU, GA - Public sector crop developerKahn, Kathy - Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA - Federal resource personMascia, Peter - Ceres - Private sector crop developerMcCammon, Sally - APHIS, USDA - Federal resource personMcHughen, Alan - U. California-Riverside - Public sector crop developerOrtman, Eldon - Purdue University - Public sector crop developerRadin, John - Agricultural Research Service, USDA - Public sector crop developersRedenbaugh, Keith - Seminis Vegetable Seeds - Private sector crop developerSharma, Govind - Alabama A&M Univ., NSF - Public sector crop developerSwords, Kathy - Simplot - Agri-foodsThro, Ann Marie - CSREES, USDA - Federal resource personWhalen, Stephanie - Hawaii Agric. Res. Center - Farmer-owned research center