The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that genetically modified HB4 wheat, developed by Argentina’s Bioceres Crop Solutions, may be safely grown and bred in the United States. However, Bioceres must complete additional field trials and regulatory steps before it can commercialize the crop, which is designed to tolerate drought.
This USDA finding brings genetically modified wheat closer to production in the U.S., potentially benefiting farmers facing challenges from drought and severe weather conditions. Michael Peters, an Oklahoma wheat farmer, expressed interest in HB4 wheat, noting the impact of drought on yields and quality.
Despite the USDA’s positive assessment, concerns remain among some consumer groups regarding the health implications of genetically modified wheat, which is a staple in bread and pasta. This decision marks a significant step for the USDA, as it represents the furthest the agency has gone in evaluating genetically modified wheat.
Bioceres has already begun selling genetically modified wheat seeds in Argentina, marking the first commercial availability of the technology globally. The FDA had previously reviewed Bioceres’ wheat in 2022 without raising any safety concerns.
While Bioceres has received regulatory approval for food and feed use in several countries, major U.S. wheat buyers like Mexico, the Philippines, and Japan have yet to approve HB4 wheat.