Author
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Gonsalves, Dennis |
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Submitted to: Hawaii Papaya Industry Association
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 9/23/2005 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The transgenic SunUp and Rainbow papaya developed for Hawaii was commercialized in 1998 and virtually saved Hawaii’s papaya industry from further damage being caused by papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). Since Japan makes up a significant part (about 35% in 1992) in Hawaii’s papaya export market, efforts to deregulate the transgenic papaya in Japan began in 1998. Deregulation of transgenic products in Hawaii requires approval from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) and the Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW). MAFF, which focuses on the risk assessment of the transgenic papaya on the environment, approved the transgenic papaya in December 2000. Efforts to get approval from MHLW were started in 2000 and a deregulation package sent to MHLW in April 2003. MHLW asked for more technical information which was subsequently obtained by the laboratories of Gonsalves, Ferreira, and Manshardt. The technical package, which focuses primarily on food safety of the transgenic papaya, was completed and sent to MHLW in latter part of 2005. We expect to get final approval from MHLW around December 2006. Deregulation of the transgenic papaya in Japan will provide a big boost to the Hawaiian papaya market and also serve as a model for deregulation of transgenic crops outside of the US. |
