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Building upon initial consultations held in summer 2024, Canada’s Competition Bureau seeks public comments on new guidelines regarding environmental claims. Interested stakeholders have until February 28, 2025, to send their comments.

This report describes the agricultural biotechnology sector in Portugal, covering production and trade, policy, and marketing aspects. It includes topics related to plant, animal, and microbial biotechnology.

The New Zealand government has introduced the Gene Technology Bill 2024, aiming to establish a modern regulatory framework for gene technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

On December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) events.

Israel has no policy restricting the use of imported genetically engineered (GE) commodities or derivative products. There have been no changes in Israel’s policy towards plant, animal biotechnology, and microbial biotechnology since 2022.

Canada proposes a draft protocol, under its Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations, to incentivise feedlot operators implement changes to reduce enteric methane emissions from beef cattle, and to generate carbon offset credits.

On December 7, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the registration of 51 genetically engineered (GE) corn and soy varieties, including 37 GE corn varieties and 14 GE soybean varieties.

The Government of Argentina (GOA) approved five new genetically engineered (GE) events in 2023 (two soybean and three corn). Argentina and Brazil continue to be at the forefront of biotechnology and signed the Cooperation Agreement on Biosafety of Modern Biotechnology Products on October 20, 2022.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) continues to advance toward commercial cultivation of domestically developed genetically engineered (GE) corn and soybean crops.

In 2023, Hong Kong did not have any policy changes to regulations pertaining to genetically engineered (GE) products, while monitoring the development of synthetic biology.

The EU's intricate biotechnology policy hinders research and restricts innovative tools for farmers. This results in substantial imports of genetically engineered (GE) feed and limited domestic GE crop production.

Despite the private sector's support for biotechnology, Venezuela maintains a ban on the domestic use and research of modern biotechnology-derived agriculture. Venezuela’s basis for the ban is through the Seed Law of December 2015, which also prohibits the importation of genetically engineered (GE) seeds.