Key Takeaways
- Cibus announced that Ecuador’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has classified its HT1 and HT3 Rice traits as equivalent to conventional breeding products.
- The ruling allows Rice cultivars developed using Cibus’ Rapid Trait Development System™ (RTDS®) to proceed with registration and commercialization under standard seed regulations.
- These herbicide tolerance traits offer new weed management solutions without involving transgenic (GMO) processes.
- Cibus plans to introduce HT1 and HT3 Rice traits into Latin American markets through its partnership with Interoc and other seed companies.
- The regulatory decision is expected to support similar approvals across other key Latin American markets.
Cibus gains regulatory green light in Ecuador for RTDS®-developed Rice traits
Cibus, Inc. (Profile), a leading agricultural technology firm specializing in plant trait development, announced that Ecuador’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has approved the commercialization of Rice cultivars containing the company’s herbicide tolerance traits, HT1 and HT3. The Ministry ruled that these Rice plants, developed through Cibus’ proprietary Rapid Trait Development System™ (RTDS®), are equivalent to those created through conventional breeding.
As a result, the Rice varieties will not be regulated under Ecuador’s laws restricting transgenic (GMO) crops, but instead will follow the same rules as conventional seeds under the Organic Law of Agrobiodiversity, Seeds and Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture.
“We applaud the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for implementing regulations that enable Ecuadorian growers to access advanced technologies,” said Dr. Peter Beetham, Co-Founder and Interim CEO of Cibus. “Our RTDS technology delivers precision breeding improvements faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.”
RTDS® technology offers precision without foreign DNA integration
The HT1 and HT3 herbicide tolerance traits were developed using Cibus’ RTDS®, which facilitates targeted genetic changes without incorporating recombinant DNA or foreign material at any stage of the crop’s development. This approach aligns with regulatory frameworks that differentiate between traditional genetic modification and non-GMO breeding innovations.
The Ministry’s decision highlights the growing recognition of precision breeding technologies as valid tools to address productivity and climate-related challenges in agriculture.
Expanding market opportunities through Interoc partnership
Cibus plans to introduce its herbicide tolerance Rice traits into broader Latin American markets via partnerships with Interoc and other major seed companies. Interoc, a well-established player in Latin American Rice seed genetics, will integrate HT1 and HT3 traits into its elite Rice lines to offer growers enhanced weed management options.
“As part of our mission to deliver innovative solutions to growers, we are pleased with the regulatory determination that will help us expedite market entry,” said Fernando de la Puente, Corporate Vice President of Interoc.
Martin Poveda, Senior Director of Rice and Business Affairs at Cibus, added:
“This positive step in Ecuador paves the way for regulatory pathways in other Latin American markets as we work alongside Interoc to introduce these traits into the regional Rice sector.”
Cibus Outlook for broader Latin American adoption
Following Ecuador’s approval, Cibus intends to pursue similar regulatory reviews in other key markets across Latin America. The company views this decision as a significant milestone in advancing its strategy to make RTDS®-enabled crop traits accessible to farmers seeking non-GMO, sustainable agricultural solutions.
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