Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act

This bill would create a new Office of Biotechnology Policy inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The office would make sure USDA’s work on biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and synthetic biology is coordinated across research, education and extension, rules and labeling, and how products are brought to market and traded . A Director would lead the office and report to the Secretary of Agriculture. The office would also help other USDA agencies carry out their biotech duties under existing laws .

The office would coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and other federal and state agencies. It would also consult with people and groups who could be affected, including biotechnology developers, academics, and agricultural producers .

• Key points
  • Who is affected: USDA and its agencies; EPA and FDA; biotechnology developers; academics; agricultural producers; other entities affected by biotech actions
  • What changes: A new USDA office to lead and coordinate biotech policy on research, education/extension, regulation and labeling, and commercialization/trade; support for other USDA offices on biotech duties
  • When: Takes effect when enacted; the Secretary is directed to establish the office and appoint a Director