Browse Data and Analysis

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) regulations allow the importation of biotech plant products, but they are required to be labeled if they contain more than one percent genetically engineered (GE) plant ingredients. As a result, many retail packed food importers do not import biotech foods due to concerns that biotech labeling could jeopardize their product image. However, Saudi Arabia imports large quantities of biotech U.S. corn, soybeans, and their products.

The New Zealand Productivity Commission submitted a report to the Government of New Zealand recommending that a review should be done on regulation of genetic modification to ensure it is fit for purpose and supports domestic innovation. Other than that, there have been no recent significant official changes to the genetically engineered (GE) policies established by the New Zealand government.

The Australian federal government is supportive of biotechnology and has committed considerable long-term funding to research and development. The Australian Productivity Commission recently completed an inquiry into the regulatory burden on farm businesses focusing on regulations that have a material impact on the competitiveness and productivity of Australian agriculture, including the impact of regulations for genetically engineered (GE) products.

South Africa has robust and experienced regulatory system for genetically engineered products, which started with the publication of the “GMO” Act of 1997. Today, South Africa is amongst the top-10 largest producers of GE crops in the world and has approved 27 GE plant events for commercial production contained in three commodities, namely, corn, soybeans, and cotton. South Africa’s corn yields doubled over the past 20 years, while soybean production improved 10-fold.

Mozambique has not yet approved the use of GE crops. Mozambique planted its first genetically engineered (GE) corn trial in 2017 at the Chókwè Agricultural Station as part of the TELA project (formerly Water Efficient Maize for Africa) aimed to test drought and pest resistance.

This is a regional report on West Africa that primarily covers Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Mali, but also provides brief overviews in certain sections for Niger, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania. Senegal and Mauritania passed new biosafety laws on June 14, 2022, and August 4, 2022, respectively.

Despite being passed in 2010, Nicaraguan biotechnology legislation lacks implementing regulations that would open additional opportunities for farmers and food processors to integrate new technologies into their operations. However, Nicaraguan companies continue to regularly import genetically engineered feed grains and oilseed products to support the growing livestock sector.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment opened public comment period on proposed revisions of the Basic Policy of the Green Procurement Act. One proposed change includes greater emphasis in government procurement decisions on the greenhouse gas emission value of goods and services. Comments must be submitted in Japanese by December 6, 2022.

On October 18, 2022, The Government of the Philippines marked Bt eggplant as its third genetically engineered crop approved for commercial propagation, following Bt corn and Golden Rice.

Public support for agricultural biotechnology in Belgium is roughly divided between the Wallonia and Flemish regions with the latter more receptive. The Flemish region is home to the country's ag biotech cluster where much of the research on biotechnology and experimental field trials take place.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) continue to collaborate on the Renewable Energy Program for the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector (REP AFS) to undertake programs aimed at boosting the country’s energy and food security.

After a summer of Dutch farmer protests, a much-anticipated independent report was presented to the government and public on October 5, 2022. In it, the government-appointed independent facilitator and former politician, Johan Remkes, presented his findings from talks he held with the government, the Dutch agricultural sector, industry, nature organizations, and others.