Thailand’s Path to Leadership in Agricultural Innovation through Certification of Genome-Edited Organisms

As Thailand aims to become a global food hub, seed hub, and a leader in agricultural innovation, new breeding techniques (NBTs), particularly genome editing (GEd) technology, are coming to the forefront. This technology enables precise changes in the genome of living organisms without integrating foreign DNA elements, providing benefits such as enhanced agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and food security. Moreover, this technology has been recognized and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Recognizing the potential of the new breeding techniques, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has introduced a pivotal regulation titled the “Notification on Certification of Organisms Developed from Genome Editing Technology for Agricultural Use, B.E. 2567 (2024)” (the “Notification”). This Notification was officially published in the Royal Gazette on July 16, 2024, and will come into effect 30 days after its publication, on August 15, 2024.

The objective of the Notification is to support the use of genome-edited plants, animals, and microorganisms for commercial and consumption uses in agriculture by providing a regulatory framework. This framework is designed to help obtain approval from regulatory bodies and facilitate access to domestic markets. Additionally, the Notification also encourages further research and innovation in agricultural biotechnology, providing a pathway for new developments and technologies. We believe the Notification is a crucial step toward ensuring the safe, sustainable, and economically viable use of advanced biotechnologies in agriculture.

Sub-regulations detailing the process for obtaining the certificate are currently being developed by the relevant regulatory bodies and are expected to be published by July 2024.

We will follow up and provide updates as the situation progresses. Should you need any additional information, please contact us at patent@lexel.co.th.

Author(s):
Dr Radeemada Mungkarndee
Partner, Head of Patents &
Life Sciences
rm@lexel.co.th

Tienkul Kangwanwong
Patent Manager

Dr Warun Maneepitasut
Patent Consultant