A cutting report issued by the Department of Agriculture’s auditor has accused the Department of failing to sufficiently regulate field trials of genetically engineered crops, raising the risk that they may be unintentionally released into the environment.


A report in the New York Times revealed today (3 January) that biotechnology regulators did not always notice violations of their own rules, did not inspect planting sites and did not assure that the genetically engineered crops were destroyed when the field trial was completed.


These procedural weaknesses, the report said,”increase the risk that genetically engineered organisms will inadvertently persist in the environment before they are deemed safe to grow without regulation.”


The Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, responsible for the regulation of biotech field trials, said that it was already taking steps to adopt some of the recommendations made by the inspector general, and that more changes were on the way.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.