A comparative analysis of the regulatory systems between the Philippines and Bangladesh for approving biotech crops

Abstract

Many countries have adopted Genetically Engineered (GE) crops and their products. Before cultivation, these crops must go through a regulatory approval system, which varies from country to country. Here, the regulatory process of the Philippines, a mega GE crop cultivating country from Asia, is analyzed. The National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) was established in 1990, whereas the approval process was established in 2002. The Philippines ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) in 2006. The first GE crop approval came in December 2002. Till date, GE approval was given for many events, of which some are for commercial cultivation and the others are for FFP. In 2021, the Philippines became the first country to approve the cultivation of Golden Rice. In Bangladesh, Bt Eggplant was approved in 2013 and Golden rice is also under regulatory pipeline. With similar crop events, the Philippines being South-Asian pioneer in GE crop approvals, the regulatory system of the Philippines was compared with the regulatory system of Bangladesh. The Biosafety guidelines of Bangladesh established the regulatory committees involved in the GE crop approvals in Bangladesh. The National Biosafety Framework (2007) later detailed the policies and approval process. Both countries have implemented the CPB in their National Biosafety Frameworks. With the vast experience of GE crop approval and cultivation, nowadays, the Philippine approval process has brought several changes.