UK-based Tropic Biosciences has been granted non-genetically modified organism exempt status for its non-browning banana by the Philippines Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry. This approval permits the importation and production of the GMO banana in the Philippines, a leading banana exporter in Southeast Asia and the second largest globally. The country has faced challenges with disease impacting banana crops in recent years.
Dr. Ofir Meir, Chief Technology Officer at Tropic Biosciences, highlighted the Philippines' adoption of a science-based, transparent, and efficient assessment process for gene-edited plants as a key factor encouraging investment in innovative technologies. Tropic Biosciences, situated in Norwich Research Park, utilizes CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to enhance bananas with resistance to Panama disease Tropic Race 4 and reduce food waste. The company notes that over 60% of bananas are discarded annually, and their non-browning bananas could reduce this waste by at least 25%.
Source: producebusinessuk.com