DA-BPI approves consumption and use of Bt talong for food and feed

by Allen Malabayabas | Reprimo

The Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), has issued Biosafety Permit No. 21-078FFP for the consumption and use of Bt talong as food and feed to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on the 23rd of July 2021. 

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant, locally called as Bt talong, is a genetically modified organism (GMO) developed by the Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. It is an eggplant variety containing natural proteins from the soil bacterium B.acillus thuringiensis, which makes the crop resistant to a group of most destructive pests: eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). In line with this, scientists have emphasized that the Bt protein is safe for humans and animals and only targets EFSB. 

In 2015, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the cease of the field testing for Bt talong, along with the temporary halt of any application, propagation, and importation of GMOs. The decision also nullified DA AO 08-2002, stating that the order did not meet the minimum safety requirements under Executive Order (EO) 514: National Biosafety Framework (NBF). 

In 2016, however, the SC reversed its ruling and granted the petitions for a motion of reconsideration filed by the Bt talong proponents. The petition was also signed by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications Inc. (ISAAA), Environmental Management Bureau, CropLife Philippines, UPLB Foundation, and UPLB. In the reversed ruling, the SC stated that the proponents neither went beyond the permitted field-testing nor distributed the crop commercially.

The decision has reopened the hope for Filipino farmers and consumers to soon propagate and consume Bt talong. 

This year, ISAAA has identified that Bt talong is safe for food and feed usage under the Bt eggplant Event EE-1. Afterward, The DA-BPI has authorized Biosafety Permit No. 21-078FFP, which was issued to UPLB. Under this, the crop will now be available for propagation, and Filipino farmers and consumers can now utilize Bt talong for food consumption and livestock operation. 

The authorization of the Biosafety Permit No. 21-078FFP was another milestone for the Philippine biosafety process and UPLB. The ISAAA announced that the Philippines, along with Bangladesh, are now the only 2 countries that received Bt talong certification.