Manila, The Philippines
November 26, 2008
Source:
USDA/FAS GAIN report RP 8069
The
Bureau of Plant
Industry recently issued the Cotton Development
Administration (CDA) the corresponding import permit for
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton seeds from India.
The CDA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture,
was earlier able to secure permission from the National
Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines to test the
technology, according to press reports. The CDA back then
reportedly had planned to import and use Bt cotton seeds
developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in China but
had to source it elsewhere due to phytosanitary and quarantine
issues. The Bt cotton seeds from India, however, are also
developed by the CAS.
According to press reports, greenhouse trials for the Bt cotton
seeds are to commence in early 2009 after which they are to be
field-tested in three possible Philippine sites. Bt cotton green
house trials may last from six months to one year. If
successful, commercial production could start by 2010. |
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