The US Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency have cooperating in launching a Unified Website for Biotechnology Regulation. The website aims to streamline information about how the three agencies oversee agriculture biotechnology products. The unified website is part of the Trump Administration’s executive order on the modernization of the regulation of these products.
“This is a time of unprecedented scientific innovation. Agricultural biotechnology promises to bring dynamic new products to the marketplace,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD. “Our approach balances our internationally respected, science-based review standards with our ongoing risk-based regulatory approaches to ensure the safety of our food supply.”
The new website describes the federal review process for certain biotechnology products and allows users to submit questions to the three agencies. In a press release FDA said the goals of the new site are to provide enhanced customer service to innovators and developers, and to allow consumers to learn more about the safe use of biotechnology innovations.
The website has a link describing the various spheres of responsibility for each agency and how they interact in the regulation of these products. It also includes a frequently asked questions link that includes answers to questions such as how these products are defined, how new product development will be handled and so forth.