Commission opposes planting of genetically engineered rice

The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the California Rice Commission wants state regulators to put a moratorium on the planting of genetically engineered rice in California:

The commission’s Board of Directors on Wednesday voted in support of a ban on field tests of genetically engineered rice. Biotechnology companies must receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a regulatory board appointed by the state Department of Food and Agriculture before planting genetically engineered rice in California.

The state board, called the AB 2622 Advisory Board, will meet in two to six weeks to consider two applications for growing genetically engineered rice in California, said Tim Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Rice Commission. Funded by growers, the Rice Commission markets California rice to consumers.

Davis-based Arcadia Biosciences has submitted one application this year to plant rice engineered to tolerate high levels of salt in soil. In past years Sacramento-based Ventria Bioscience has grown rice engineered to make human proteins for medical foods in California. This year it has applied for U.S. Department of Agriculture authorization to grow the rice in Kansas, but it has not applied for permission in California.