Vilsack asked to review the approval
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has raised significant concerns about USDA’s approval of Qi Biodesign, a Chinese agricultural biotech company, to produce genetically engineered soybeans for consumption in the United States. This approval has sparked controversy due to several key factors:
Rapid approval process. The speed at which Qi Biodesign’s application was approved has raised suspicions. Moolenaar notes that the company was “prioritized for USDA regulatory approval ahead of many American agricultural companies that currently face extensive delays.” This unusually swift process has led to questions about the thoroughness of the review and potential preferential treatment.
Chinese government connections. Moolenaar claims that Qi Biodesign has “close links to the Chinese government” and is “directly supported by the PRC government.” This connection raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the strategic implications of allowing a Chinese state-backed company to operate in the U.S. agricultural sector.
National security and economic concerns. The approval of Qi Biodesign’s genetically engineered soybeans is seen as potentially undermining U.S. trade negotiations and agricultural competitiveness. Moolenaar argues that this decision could “make U.S. farmers complicit in the PRC’s desire to replace them.” There are also concerns about protecting U.S. supply chains and intellectual property, given China’s history of agricultural IP theft.
Regulatory process and oversight. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for regulating the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain organisms developed using genetic engineering. The agency uses a regulatory status review (RSR) process to evaluate whether plants developed through genetic engineering pose any plant pest risks. However, Moolenaar’s letter suggests that this process may not adequately address national security concerns or consider the broader implications of approving technologies from potential adversaries.
Qi Biodesign’s recent advancements. Qi Biodesign has recently made significant strides in gene-editing technology. The company has developed a novel approach using circular RNA-mediated prime editors (CPEs) for more precise and efficient gene editing. While this technology shows promise for agricultural applications, it also underscores the advanced capabilities of Chinese biotech firms.
International context. China has been making rapid progress in agricultural biotechnology. Recently, the Chinese government fast-tracked approval for a genome-edited wheat resistant to powdery mildew, demonstrating their commitment to advancing food security through biotechnology. This progress has led some British scientists to warn that the UK and Europe are falling behind due to more stringent regulatory processes.
Calls for action. In light of these concerns, Moolenaar has requested that USDA Secretary Vilsack:
• Immediately revisit the regulatory status review for Qi Biodesign
• Provide a briefing to address specific questions about the approval process, including steps taken to protect U.S. supply chains and ensure reciprocity between nations