FAQ's

Question: Why is LLRICE601 in the news?
Answer: On August 18, 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the detection of trace amounts of regulated biotechnology rice in samples of commercial US long grain rice.

Question: What is LLRICE601?
Answer: LLRICE601 is a pre-commercial rice line developed by Aventis CropScience and its predecessor company that produces a protein conferring herbicide tolerance. Aventis CropScience was acquired by Bayer in 2002

Question: Does this rice pose any human health, food or feed safety concerns?
Answer: After scientific review, both the USDA and FDA concluded that there are no human health, food safety, or environmental concerns associated with this rice. Similarly, some other countries have made statements on the safety of this LLRice601

Question: What is known about the extent of the LLRICE presence in commercial rice?
Answer: At the time of the USDA announcement, very little data on the extent of presence of LLRICE601 was available. Since that time Bayer CropScience has been actively working with public rice breeders and members of the industry to better define the scope of LLRICE601 presence. All evidence indicates that only trace levels are being found in the seed supply and in commercial rice shipments.

Question: What are rice producers being asked to do?
Answer: Rice producers should work closely with their customers and others in the rice industry to define market requirements and needs.

last updated: Thursday, January 11, 2007