Bangkok, Thailand
September 17, 2024
More than 170 seed sector stakeholders gathered in Bangkok in early September to benchmark progress in future-proofing policies to ensure regional food security.
As new breeding technologies evolve rapidly to meet growing global challenges, the Asia-Pacific seed industry welcomes science-based regulatory approaches by regional policymakers to secure the future of food production. Thailand's newly implemented gene editing regulations have been hailed as a crucial step toward driving innovation in crop development, addressing urgent issues like climate change and food security.
These sentiments were echoed at a recent workshop, “Plant Breeding Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture and Agroeconomic Development,” held in Bangkok on 3-4 September, where industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of agricultural innovation in the region.
Organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) in partnership with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Thai Seed Trade Association (ThaSTA), the event brought together over 170 participants, including government officials, seed industry experts, researchers, and international stakeholders. Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Mekong U.S. Partnership (MUSP) seed sector development project, the workshop highlighted the significant potential of plant breeding innovations, particularly genome editing, to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Keynoting the event, Dr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs (Director General of Thailand’s Department of Agriculture) underscored his country's commitment to fostering plant breeding innovation. “New breeding technologies have great potential to increase competitiveness in agricultural innovation,” he said, emphasizing the country’s vision to become a regional hub for seed development while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Driving Innovation Through Policy
Participants explored how Thailand’s gene editing regulations provide a clear, science-based framework that encourages research and development of new crop varieties. The regulation aligns with international best practices, allowing Thailand to position itself as a leader in innovative agricultural biotechnology.
A Collaborative Path
The workshop brought together experts from the public and private sectors to discuss genome editing technology, its benefits, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Prof. Michael Jones of Murdoch University provided an overview of conventional breeding and new breeding technologies, emphasizing the science behind genome editing. Dr. Hiroshi Ezura of the University of Tsukuba showcased the successful market entry of high GABA tomatoes in Japan, reflecting growing consumer acceptance, while APSA Chair of the Standing Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation Mr. Michael Leader (Bayer Cropscience) highlighted the benefits of genome editing with examples like short-stature corn, advocating for affordability and accessibility, and urging for a unified global policy.
Thai officials introduced new guidelines for genome-edited products, while Dr. Khaoula Belhaj Fragniere (Regulatory Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation) and Ms. Krista Thomas (Vice President, Trade Policy and Seed Innovation Canada Grains Council) called for science-based, future-proof frameworks and stressed international alignment to facilitate trade. Ms. Geronima P. Eusebio (Supervising Agriculturist and Head, Biotechnology Office, Bureau of Plant Industry) shared the Philippines’ experience in developing policies grounded in scientific determination and public engagement, and Dr. Chalinee Kongsawat (Biosafety Section of Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) and Dr. Piyarat Thammakijjawat (Director, Thailand Biotechnology Research and Development Office) underscored Thailand’s focus on capacity building and collaboration.
From the U.S. perspective, Dr. Adam Cornish (Agricultural Advisor, US Department of State) outlined principles of a transparent, risk-based regulatory approach that fosters innovation and public trust, aligning with initiatives from international bodies like the UN FAO and APEC. Dr. Fan-Li Chou (Senior Vice President, Scientific Affairs & Policy, American Seed Trade Association) reinforced the need for harmonized regulations to support small and medium-sized enterprises in leveraging new breeding techniques.
Way forward
The workshop concluded with an open discussion on the implementation of the regulation, especially in the registration and import of gene-edited products. The officials from DoA informed that the steps involved are quarantine process (which is the same for all plants or plant products imported into Thailand), referring to the biotech committee and officer to determine the imported product qualifies as conventional or not. If it is determined to be equivalent to conventional variety, it will be registered as a genome-edited variety. Any varieties developed through crossing from this variety will be regarded as conventional and there would be no need for registering them as genome-edited varieties.
"A formal forum for communication between regulators and the industry on gene editing policy is crucial,” said APSA Technical Advisor, Dr. Shivendra Bajaj. “This will help to build mutual understanding and trust, and support the effective implementation of the policy."
The experiences of other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and the Philippines, were also highlighted, emphasizing policies that balance innovation with safety and transparency. APSA Director Francine Sayoc reinforced the need for a harmonized approach to regulations across the region to facilitate the trade of gene-edited products.
"In Southeast Asia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore have set commendable examples with their forward-looking regulatory approaches, and several other countries are on their way. We hope others will take inspiration," she said. “APSA will continue to facilitate conversations and partnerships that drive innovation, sustainability, and food security in the region, ensuring that regulatory frameworks are not only science-based but also future-proof,” she said.
As the leading regional organization representing the seed industry, APSA reaffirms its commitment to supporting ongoing dialogue between public and private stakeholders to advance plant breeding innovation. The discussions underscored a collective call to action: raise public awareness, ensure transparent and science-based policies, and promote international dialogue to harmonize regulations. A key takeaway was the need for ongoing communication between regulators and industry to support innovation in the seed sector.
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