Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416): Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. In collaboration with researchers in the Czech Republic, scientists from the U.S., France, Spain, Romania, and Poland are developing a dossier for submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requesting the approval of the genetically engineered (GE) Plum pox virus resistant plum 'HoneySweet'. A Polish scientist is supported under this agreement to collaborate on the analysis of small RNA production in fruit and vegetative parts of 'HoneySweet' and non-GE plums. These studies have provided additional data for a dossier seeking approval for cultivation of 'HoneySweet' plum in the European Union (EU) that is being developed by European scientists. This submission will present a new paradigm for the EU. 'HoneySweet' represents a public institution development of a publicly available GMO product developed to solve a high profile agricultural problem affecting small growers and family farms in the EU. This paradigm could usher a shift in the attitude towards the acceptance of GMOs in the EU and open new markets for U.S. agricultural products.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416): Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. In collaboration with researchers in the Czech Republic, scientists from the U.S., France, Spain, Romania, and Poland are developing a dossier for submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requesting the approval of the genetically engineered Plum pox virus resistant plum 'HoneySweet'. A Polish scientist is currently supported under this agreement to collaborate on the analysis of small RNA production in fruit and vegetative parts of 'HoneySweet' and non-GE plums. These studies will provide additional data for a dossier seeking approval for cultivation of 'HoneySweet' plum in the EU that is being developed by European scientists. This submission will present a new paradigm for the EU. 'HoneySweet' represents a public institution development of a publicly available GMO product developed to solve a high profile agricultural problem affecting small growers and family farms in the EU. This paradigm could usher a shift in the attitude towards the acceptance of GMOs in the EU and open new markets for U.S. agricultural products. ARS PI monitoring activities to evaluate research progress included: phone calls/conference calls, on-site Cooperator/ARS meetings, email communications.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416) Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. In collaboration with Czech Republic collaborators, a workshop titled, "Towards the EU Deregulation of 'HoneySweet', a Plum Pox Virus (PPV) Resistant Plum", was held in the Czech Republic on May 30-31, 2011. The goal of the workshop was the development of a dossier to be submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for regulatory approval of 'HoneySweet' plum for food and feed, and cultivation in the EU. The expectation of the meeting was to establish the means for meeting this goal, specifically, how the group of researchers from the U.S., France, Spain, Romania, and Poland would assist the Czech group in developing the dossier to submit to the EFSA. The workshop was very successful. Attendees were committed and all volunteered to do their respective parts to provide information and other support to the Czech group. The message from a number of EU speakers was that the 'HoneySweet' submission presents a new paradigm for the EU. 'HoneySweet' represents a public institution development of a publicly available GMO product developed to solve a high profile agricultural problem affecting small growers and family farms in the EU. This paradigm could usher a shift in the attitude towards the acceptance of GMOs.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416) Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. In order to engage European regulators in the evaluation of genetically engineered plums resistant to Plum pox virus (PPV) that have been developed in the U.S., we met with members of the NGO Black Sea Biotechnology Association (BSBA) to develop plans for utilizing the PPV resistant trees and technology, and for meeting regulators and public concerns. A document has been developed that reviews the threat of PPV to stone fruit production and the potential of genetically engineered PPV resistance to significantly reduce this threat. This manuscript is in final preparation for journal submission. Future plans will include testing the genetically engineered plums in the cooperator's fields under the required permits. The ADODR has monitored activities through emails, meetings, and calls.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416) Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations In order to engage European regulators in the evaluation of genetically engineered plums resistant to Plum pox virus (PPV) that have been developed in the U.S., we met with members of the NGO Black Sea Biotechnology Association (BSBA) to develop plans for utilizing the PPV resistant trees and technology and for meeting regulators and public concerns. Future plans will include testing the genetically engineered plums in cooperator's fields under required permits. The ADODR has monitored activities through emails, meetings, and calls.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop international collaborative testing programs to evaluate 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus resistant genetically engineered plums in expanded European field tests and to support international exchanges of information between project collaborators. Approach (from AD-416) Collaborators in Europe will develop field trials of 'HoneySweet' and additional PPV resistant transgenic plum clones. These field trials will be developed in areas of high PPV infection pressure. Data on tree performance in terms of PPV infection, fruit quality and other agronomic characteristics will be recorded. Pollen flow will be monitored at sites where flowering is authorized. These data will be used to support EU regulators. A meeting of collaborators will be supported as one of the vehicles for the exchange of information on the project. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations In order to engage European regulators in the evaluation of genetically engineered plums resistant to Plum pox virus (PPV) that have been developed in the U.S., in collaboration with members of the NGO Black Sea Biotechnology Association (BSBA), we have developed a draft of a consensus document on the control of PPV in plum through genetic engineering. Plans are also underway for planting and testing the genetically engineered PPV resistant trees in BSBA member states. The ADODR has monitored activities through emails, meetings, and calls. This research addresses NP 301 (Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetics Improvement) Component 3. Genetic Improvement of Crops, Problem Statement 3C: Germplasm Enhancement/Release of Improved Genetic Resources and Varieties.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|