Last week, the U.S. Biotech Crops Alliance’s Domestic Working Group held a technology meeting in Montreal to recommit to address any worldwide asynchrony regulatory risks associated with the commercial possibilities for biotechnology during the next three years. During the meeting, representatives from all parts of the value chain worked together, creating an understanding of both the biotechnology derived products which have or may gain U.S. regulatory approval, their international approval status and possible market risks in an attempt to help farmers understand the status of new products in world markets before they plant these varieties.

Held in conjunction with the U.S. Grains Council’s Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, USBCA laid the groundwork for ongoing discussions on how to move forward as an industry that simultaneously values farmer access to valuable biotechnology-based tools and export markets for their end product. The discussions will continue this December during regularly scheduled meetings.

Notably, the group discussed the robust trait pipelines for both corn and soybeans in the coming years with several corn and as many as four soy products which have full U.S. approval for market-ready varieties as early as planting season in 2016. Given the incredible array of options that could benefit America’s farmers, these talks helped the industry, as a whole, as it works to optimize the potential for biotechnology and exports across the value chain.

Established under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2012, the USBCA already has developed, and is working to implement, consensus positions on key policy issues designed to improve the introduction, stewardship, domestic and international regulatory policy, and distribution in U.S. and export markets of commodities and processed products containing or derived from modern biotechnology.