The delay in the approval of the propagation of genetically modified (GM) cotton is hampering the revival and revitalization of the local fiber industry, according to a government official.
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) Executive Director Kennedy T. Costales attributed the delay to current regulatory regime for approving GM crops.
“We are experiencing delays in
the approval for the importation and propagation of Bt cotton because we have
to get the nod of five departments, which we cannot control. It’s really the
bureaucratic process delaying it,” Costales told the
BusinessMirror in an interview.
He said he has instructed the PhilFida staff to fast-track the processing of the necessary documents to accelerate the approval of the propagation of Bt cotton so that farmers could plant it by December.
At present, an interagency committee created under the Joint Department Circular 1 Series of 2016 oversees the approval process of Bt crops in the country. The members of the committee are—the Departments of Agriculture (DA); Science and Technology (DOST); Health; Environment and Natural Resources; and the Interior and Local Government.
Biotechnology stakeholders have also complained about the “cumbersome” regulatory process, saying this has caused the “tremendous” delay in the approval of GM crops.
Production
PhilFida has expanded the area planted with cotton in 2019 to 710 hectares, from 667 hectares in 2018. PhilFida expects a maximum harvest of 710 metric tons, or 1 metric ton per hectare, from these areas this year.
The attached agency of the DA said it had to subsidize the cotton farmers at P17,500 per hectare to support their production using local non-GM cotton varieties since Bt cotton is not yet allowed. The subsidy covered labor costs, seeds, fertilizer and pesticide.
PhilFida spent P45 million for its cotton program last year. Documents from the agency showed that cotton was planted in six regions—Region 1 (50 hectares), Region 4A (30 hectares), Region 6 (50 hectares), Region 7 (100 hectares), Region 9 (100 hectares), and Region 12 (380 hectares).
“We will not engage in cotton farming if the farmers will not agree. And to be frank, a lot of farmers want to plant cotton as long as it is Bt variety due to its insect-resistant properties,” Costales said.
In 2009, the DA embarked on a cotton revival project using Bt cotton, which is resistant to bollworm, the pest that usually attacks the cotton. Costales noted that the use of Bt cotton would drastically cut the costs incurred by farmers for pesticides to control and prevent bollworm infestation.
The PhilFida chief also said his agency is now crafting a five-year cotton industry road map with the goal of reviving and bringing local production back to a sustainable level by the fifth year.
The Philippines currently imports all of the cotton required by local garments manufacturers. In 2018, the Philippines produced 27 MT of cotton and imported 17,605 MT, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed.
Hastening approvals
Costales said he supports a measure filed at the House of the Representatives that seeks to streamline the process involved in approving GM crops.
“Farmers will not plant non-GM cotton if they will not get subsidy. Bt cotton will really encourage farmers to revitalize the industry as it will allow them to reduce pesticide use and earn more,” he said.
In January, the House Committee on Science and Technology has endorsed for plenary approval House Bill 3372, or the Modern Biotechnology Act.
AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, principal author of the bill, said the proposal seeks to combat poverty through the modernization of biotechnology in the Philippines.
The bill seeks to expedite the regulatory decision-making process in biotechnology to help ensure the health and well-being of Filipinos, promote competitiveness, reduce hunger and poverty, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to Garin, the current regulatory regime, which is based on outdated knowledge and assumptions, must be revised to enable the Philippines to benefit from products of modern biotechnology without delay.
“Support is also needed to accelerate research and development to further ensure the utility and safety of products of modern biotechnology,” she added. Right now, Garin said it takes 65 months, or more to complete all requirements for the commercial release of modern biotechnology products.
“The cumbersome regulations can no longer be justified for they effectively discriminate against local public biotech research institutions which have limited resources to comply with the existing regulations. This proposed bill will address this concern,” said the lawmaker.