Washington, DC - We welcome the International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology. Precision biotechnology innovations, such as gene editing, will help our farmers and ranchers and others around the world to increase productivity and promote plant and animal health. The statement was delivered at the World Trade Organization Committee on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures meetings in Geneva, Switzerland November 1-2 and reaffirms science-based approaches in agriculture.

Twelve other countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Vietnam) and the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States also supported the statement.

The U.S. Department of State will continue to engage foreign governments, industry, and consumers through our embassies abroad on these important technologies. By joining this diverse group of countries in embracing safe technologies, we give our farmers and ranchers the tools and support they need to address the global challenges we face in the 21st century to produce abundant food, feed, fiber, and energy.