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Bill would accelerate biotech approvals

A Congressman from Tennessee has introduced legislation to speed the approval process for biotech crops.

Representative Stephen Fincher, who is also a farmer, says the bill—called the Expediting Agriculture Through Science (EATS) Act—would clearly define the amount of time to approve or deny a petition for biotech crops, regulated under APHIS—the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service.

The legislation would give APHIS 180 days to approve or deny a petition for non-regulated status, with an additional 60 days if needed to ensure the safety of the environment and compliance is met before deeming the petition approved.

Fincher says a more efficient approval process is needed if U.S. farmers are going to remain the global leaders in the biotech field.