GE wheat detected in field

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers are aware that USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the discovery of genetically engineered (GE) wheat plants growing in an unplanted agricultural field in Washington State.

APHIS reported the GE wheat in question is resistant to the herbicide glyphosate.

The two agencies report they believe APHIS is well prepared to identify additional information about this discovery and has confirmed that there is no evidence suggesting that this wheat, or any other GM wheat has entered U.S. commercial supplies or the food supply.

There are no GE wheat varieties for sale or in commercial production in the United States at this time.

There is no health risk associated with glyphosate resistance events in wheat based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluations.

The USDA is collaborating with organizations and the state, industry and trading partners to provide timely and transparent information about their findings as they investigate this discovery.

The agencies said they cannot speculate or comment about any potential market reactions until they learn more from APHIS and have a chance to discuss the situation in more detail with overseas customers.

Based on what they know today from APHIS, they are confident nothing has changed the U.S. wheat supply chain’s ability to deliver wheat that matches every customer’s specifications.

USDA is collaborating with the state, industry and trading partners, and they are committed to providing "all our partners with timely and transparent information about our findings."

There are no GE wheat varieties for sale or in commercial production in the United States at this time, as APHIS has not deregulated any GE wheat varieties.

After previous detections of GE wheat, USDA strengthened its oversight of regulated GE wheat field trials. APHIS now requires developers to apply for a permit for field trials involving GE wheat beginning with GE wheat planted on or after January 1, 2016.

Bringing GE wheat under permit enables APHIS to create and enforce permit conditions that ensure confinement and minimize the risk that the regulated GE wheat will persist in the environment.