PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION: COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY. Bernice Slutsky, Ph.D. Corn Belt Seed Conference February 7, 2018

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1 PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION: COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY Bernice Slutsky, Ph.D. Corn Belt Seed Conference February 7, 2018

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3 Message Testing: What We Did Explored overall awareness, understanding and perception of plant breeding innovation & gene editing Inquired about potential key issues that may affect audience perceptions and behaviors Tested language to better understand what messages are credible Determined media consumption preferences Identified trusted sources

4 Bottom Line: The jury is still out. About one-third of general consumers are not sure what to think. 28% positive 17% negative However, they have high hopes for gene editing when associated with the greater good of society NOT profit. Uncertainty is based on lack of education and perceived lack of evidence.

5 Key Findings Phrases to Use Support messages that promote the efficient use of resources, sustainable impact and environmental benefits. Enhance Quality of life Drought Resistance Solve Farmer Challenges Precise use of Pesticides Consistent and Reliable Harvests Enhance natural Plant Characteristics Sustainability Nutritious Produce

6 Key Findings Phrases that do not resonate Feed 9 billion people and feed families across the globe Longer shelf life Faster process / speeding up the process NOTE: put gene editing into the larger context of plant breeding evolution.

7 What do consumers want to know? Seeds are safe for them Seeds are safe for the environment. What info. do they want? Real-benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment. History of safe use Environmental benefits Health & Wellness benefits Who do they trust? Scientists (plant breeders) Farmers

8 MILESTONES IN PLANT BREEDING

9 Talking about Plant Breeding Innovation Newer methods like gene editing build on what we ve been doing for years and can allow us to reach the Building knowledge and developing methods same endpoint more precisely than traditional breeding methods. 4sh/cropLife H264.mov?dl=0

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12 Tuskegee gene editing research on sweet potatoes Just as gene editing could be used to make sweet potatoes less palatable to pests, it could be used to make potatoes more palatabl e to people.

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14 Social Media Plant Breeding Explained in a Snap #JustGrowIt

15 Plant-Science Student Video Contest Seed Ambassador Leadership Team

16 Media Outreach AgriPulse gene editing series ASTA Media Tours

17 Next Steps: Ramp up Proactive Communications Expansion of existing communications tools Active engagement with media and the public through a diverse network of spokespeople Ongoing media listening and rapid response when needed

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19 Domestic Situation USDA: Proposed Rule to Revise Part 340 Biotech Regulations FDA: Request for Information on Gene Editing in Plants EPA: Have not indicated their approach

20 Current Regulatory Framework for Plants Are foods and plants regulated? Yes! ALL foods derived from plants are regulated by the FDA under the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. And USDA s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has authority under the Building Plant Protection Act to protect U.S. knowledge agriculture from the andrisks developing posed by plant pests and noxious weeds. methods The question is not whether there is adequate regulation, but rather whether a specific pre-market review and clearance process is justified.

21 Current Regulatory Framework for Plants How does this apply to newer plant breeding methods like gene editing? Policy should be based on the endproduct; not the method Building used to get there. knowledge and developing If newer breeding methods result methods in plant varieties that are the same or indistinguishable from varieties developed through more traditional methods, they should not be differentially treated from a regulatory perspective.

22 International Goals Consistency is key to ensure: Global movement of ag products Continued innovation & ag development Introduction of crop innovations in smaller or niche markets It is key that governments and international organizations work together to avoid creating new trade barriers or disruptions due to inconsistent policies and practices.

23 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS