Focus on Seed Biotechnologies
 
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Seed Biotechnology Center at UC Davis
sbc.ucdavis.edu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
introduction
identity preservation
genetic purity
coexistence
certification programs
intellectual property protection
fingerprinting
genotyping
regulation of genetically engineered varieties

Identity Preservation

Identity preservation refers to a system of production, handling and marketing practices that maintains the integrity and purity of agricultural commodities. In its simplest form, identity preservation has been employed since the beginning of agriculture when the seeds and grain of different crops were first traded separately. As seed and food industries developed, the purity and quality expectations of buyers and processors increased and standards were established. Seed certification programs such as that represented by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) play a major role in maintaining seed purity standards and levels established by the industry for national and international trade. Similarly, commodity traders, marketing organizations and food processors have established purity and quality tolerances for specific end-product uses. As crops and production systems diversify to meet market demands, the need for segregation and identify preservation of agricultural commodities has increased.

Crop varieties with unique traits require identity preservation programs to channel these commodities to specific markets to capture the added value. Similarly, organic commodities must be produced according to specific criteria and segregated in the marketplace in order to receive premium prices. Crops developed using biotechnologies also require market segregation, as markets differ in their acceptance of these commodities.

While an increasing number of countries - including the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, China, and India – have allowed the production of crops enhanced through biotechnology and additional countries such as Japan have authorized imports of GE foods, this has not been the case everywhere, particularly in the European Union. Also, some countries are instituting labeling laws that require segregation and identification of seed and food products developed using biotechnology.

Thus, additional criteria for identity preservation are based upon the method by which a variety was developed and whether it contains traits introduced via biotechnology. Together, these factors are increasing the demand for programs that can certify the identity and composition of agricultural commodities. In many cases, changes in production and marketing procedures are required to meet the more stringent standards, which increase the cost of delivering a product to market.

Asynchronous approvals of specific biotech crops in different countries can also create problems as products approved in some countries begin to be traded and can arrive in countries where such approvals have not yet been granted*.

* See: Growing number of genetically modified crops worldwide could disrupt international trade

 

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