Agbio celebrates end of logjam

These actions hint at an approach to agricultural biotechnology by the Clinton-Gore administration that is more cautious than the Bush-Quayle administration, but seeks to respond to both industry and consumer and environmental groups in a timely manner and in a way that both sides can accommodate.

The final APHIS rule "is a good portent," said Roger Salquist, chairman and CEO of Calgene Inc. Where the Bush administration failed to provide a rule that gave both industry and the public a balance between regulatory oversight and scientific and commercial flexibility, creating a time-consuming regulatory logjam, Salquist said the Clinton administration has succeeded in providing a "responsible and reasonable federal oversight mechanism."...