|
Report: Bioeconomy’s potential is huge, and requires regulatory framework updates to unleash it
The bioeconomy—biotech in food, agriculture, and manufacturing—could grow to contribute $416 billion to the U.S. economy by 2030 if we realize its full potential, says a report released today.
The situation: The bioeconomy has a direct impact of $210 billion on the U.S. economy and a broader indirect impact of $830 billion, and supports roughly 430,000 jobs, says the report, conducted by Kearny for BIO.
Why it matters: If we don't take full advantage of the bioeconomy, we risk losing out on tens of billions in growth in the U.S. economy over the next five years, and even more in the longer term.
Biobased products could add $345 billion to GDP by 2030. Drivers include USDA’s BioPreferred program and new technologies, while potential barriers are competition from Asia, challenges upscaling, and uncertain Renewable Fuel Standard policy.
Animal products could add $39 billion. Drivers: increased pet spending, demand for pet and livestock treatment, advanced breeding tools, and gene editing for disease resistance and functional traits. Barriers: inefficient and outdated regulation.
Plant products have a $32 billion potential. Drivers: expansion beyond row crops, more biotech tools, specialized applications for modified crops. Barriers: time-consuming trade barriers, inconsistent regulation for non-transgenic biotech traits and biofertilizers, and political trade barriers.
BIO’s view: “The success of America’s economy increasingly hinges on our ability to innovate and develop cutting-edge solutions that benefit American farmers and ranchers, manufacturers, energy producers, retailers, and consumers,” says Sylvia Wulf, BIO’s Interim EVP & Head of Agriculture and Environment.
Read the report.
Read more on Bio.News.
USDA offers $100 million for bird flu solutions, including vaccines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday announced $100 million to fund vaccine development and other biotech solutions to avian flu.
Why it matters: USDA has not yet called for vaccinating fowl to combat avian flu, but this call indicates that “USDA is exploring the viability of vaccinating poultry for HPAI.”
What they’re funding: Applications are being accepted until May 19 by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for research proposals to:
- Develop novel therapeutics and improved diagnostics for HPAI in poultry;
- Further understand risk pathways of avian influenza for producers and inform improved biosecurity and response strategies;
- Development of novel vaccines to protect poultry from HPAI.
What USDA says it wants from a vaccine candidate:
- Well matched to circulating clades
- Compatible with the ability to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals (DIVA)
- Compatible with serologic testing schema
- Providing sterilizing or long-duration immunity
- Requiring hands-off delivery for protection in chickens and turkeys
- Safe, potent, effective
A federal consensus: USDA said the call was made “in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”
The bottom line: Any decision to use a vaccine would involve those agencies, governors and veterinarians, USDA said.
| 
