Insect Resistance Management (IRM) Policy Review Workshop

Participants of the two (2) days workshop on IRM policy review at SEARCA Residence Hotel, SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines last 22-23 June 2011

Laguna, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) joined in conducting an IRM Policy Review Workshop at SEARCA Residence Hotel, SEARCA, College Laguna last 22-23 June 2011.

To update the participants on the current technical issues about IRM for Bt corn, discuss important issues relevant to IRM implementation, review the DA-Memorandum Circulars on IRM implementation, and recommend new policies regarding IRM implantation in the Philippines are the objectives of the workshop.

The participants for the workshop were technology developers, regulators, scientists, researchers, DA agency representatives, and other interested stakeholders.

Kenya NBA Board Learns the Philippine Biotechnology Regulations

Kenya National Biosafety Authority Board Delegates together with Program Biosafety Systems Team and Bureau of Plant Industry-Biotechnology Regulators at DA-BPI, Malate, Manila, Philippines

Manila, Philippines – The Kenyan National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Board visited the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) in Malate, Manila to learn the biotechnology regulations in the Philippines last 16 May 2011.  The Kenya NBA delegates were composed by Dr. Miriam Kinyua (Chair, Kenya NBA Board), Dr. Moses Limo (Board Member), Mr. Otula Owuor (Board Member), Dr. Roy Mugiira (Acting CEO), and Ms. Cecilia Nzau (Secretariat and BCH Focal Person).

Dr. Henry T. Carpiso welcomed the Kenyan delegates, and provided brief information about the DA-BPI mandated roles in the biotechnology regulations in the Philippines.  Ms. Merle Palacpac presented a topic on Philippine procedures for ensuring containment.  Ms. Malou Agbagala discussed the Philippine procedures for assessing the suitability of the test sites. Mr. Santiago Palizada   shared the experiences on the post commercial approval monitoring of Genetically Modified (GM) corn in the Philippines.

Kenyan National Biosafety Authority Board Delegates together with Mr. Carlos Guevarra (GM Corn Farmer), Santiago Palizada (BPI-BCT Member) and Pioneer Philippines. Inc. Team

On the next day, the group visited the GM corn farm of Mr. Carlos Guevarra in Pampanga. Mr. Guevarra shared his experiences in planting GM corn since 2003. He started planting Bt corn to stacked trait corn of Pioneer Philippines, Inc. In the selected parcels of Mr. Guevarra’s 25 hectares of GM corn, he toured the group to the different corn growth stages (seedling, tasseling, physiological maturity), and provided insights about the GM corn management practices. At the end of the tour, Dr. Kinyua conveyed her warmest thanks to Mr. Guevarra in opening his farm to the group, and sharing valuable experiences in planting GM corn in the Philippines.

Planting of Transgenic Corn after Rice in the Philippines

Demonstration of transgenic corn (MON810 x NK603) in rice-rice-corn cropping systems at Janiuay, Iloilo

Iloilo, Philippines - Transgenic corn plantings in the Philippines is increasing. Planting of transgenic corn after rice is popular in Pangasinan, Tarclac, Pampanga and Neuva Ecija. The technology is something new in Iloilo using zero-tillage technology after rice. In this respect, technology developers like Monsanto Philippines Inc. establishes technology demonstration of transgenic corn (MON810 x NK603) after rice planting in several municipalities of Iloilo including Janiuay. Currently, the corn plants at Janiuay demonstration site are at the reproductive stages, and expected to be harvested sometimes in the second week of May. Indeed, several potential farmers are interested to plant transgenic corn in the rice-rice-corn cropping system in Panay Island.

Increase Plantings of Genetically Modified Corn in the Philippines

Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines - Plantings of Genetically Modified (GM) corn increased from 10,769 ha of Bt corn in 2003 to 455,391 ha (94% stacked trait events, 4% Bt corn and 2% glyphosate tolerant corn) in 2010. Cagayan Valley is the major corn growing regions with 251,925 ha planted to GM corn in 2010. Specific details on GM corn adoption in the Philippines is posted at www.biotech.da.gov.ph.

Mr. Santiago Palizada, Ms. Lilian Teano and Mr. Edwin Miana who are members of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry Biotechnology Core Team (BPI-BCT) conducted a post commercial approval monitoring last 1-11 February 2011 in Cagayan Valley (Isabela), SOCCSKSARGEN (Sultan Kudarat) and Northern Mindanao (Bukidnon) together with DA-Regional Crop Protection Center Team of Monitors and Technology Developers (Monsanto Philippines, Inc., Syngenta Philippines, Inc. and BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.)