At least five other nations are moving toward gene editing of hogs, which could put them miles ahead of the United States in producing disease-resistant and faster-growing hogs that cost less to grow, said a group speaking for American hog farmers on Thursday. The National Pork Producers Council said the USDA, rather than the FDA, should regulate GE livestock.
The FDA “continues to engage in delay tactics that are holding back U.S. agriculture,” said NPPC president Howard Roth. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue proposed last month that the USDA assume regulatory jurisdiction of GE food animals. The comment period on the proposal runs into late February, so the Biden administration would decide whether to proceed. Politico reported earlier this week, however, that the Trump administration may try to carry out the transfer of authority before leaving office.
“Major competitors such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and China are moving forward while the United States lags behind,” said the NPPC in comments submitted to the USDA. “This disadvantage will be more acute if these countries approve the significant gene edits that we know are on the horizon long before the United States is able to do so. We simply cannot allow U.S. farmers and ranchers to lack the same animal health and food safety advantages as producers in other countries.”
The NPPC filing is available here.