Florida Biotechnology

Agricultural Biotechnology in Florida

Florida's subtropical climate makes it a preferred site for field trials of transgenic crops. A wide variety of both plants and seeds have been brought into the state for evaluation. Field-testing of biotech crops began in Florida in 1988 with three genetically modified tomato cultivars. In 1991, trials began with potatoes. Since then, both the total number of field tests and the variety of crops investigated has increased dramatically. In 1993, 30 new field tests

were permitted; by the late 1990s, more than a hundred new field trials were initiated every year. As of 2001, Florida had permitted trials of 22 crops, with more than 500 genetically modified variations. Corn alone has almost 200 different trials underway, while tomato and potato each have more than 100 trials. Transgenic cotton and soybean have also undergone significant field-testing in Florida. Other trials include tobacco, rice, rapeseed, petunia, sugarcane, melon, carrot, pepper, lettuce, watermelon, peanut, grapefruit, chrysanthemum, papaya, squash, wheat, and strawberry.
Many institutions have been involved in development of these crops. Monsanto overwhelmingly has the largest number of field trials underway, with more than 150 genetically modified cultivars listed. The University of Florida is the other major researcher in the state, with almost 50 trials.
Florida follows federal permitting regulations. Genetically modified crops are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). Information is sent from them to the State Biotechnology Office for state concurrence. Unlike some states, Florida does not currently have a separate state review and permitting process.

This information was gathered from the following websites:

Links

Field tests in Florida
Go to US field tests of GMOs, then search by Florida:

            Step1: select all field tests
            Step 2: select location
            Step 3: select Florida
www.nbiap.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm

Florida Biotech Centers
Biotechnology education and industry
www.bio-link.org/centersFL.htm

University of Florida Biotechnology Program
www.biotech.ufl.edu

State contacts for agricultural biotechnology www.nbiap.vt.edu/cfdocs/regulators1.cfm

For further information contact the State Biotechnology Office:

Connie Riherd
Assistant Director
Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
PO Box 147100
Gainesville, FL. 32614-7100
Phone (352) 372-3505
Email: riherdc@doacs.state.fl.us