What are the laws governing the use of biotechnology in agriculture?

In West Virginia, the laws governing the use of biotechnology in agriculture are established by the West Virginia Code. Biotechnology is defined as “the application of science and engineering to the manipulation of living organisms or their components to produce useful products or services” (W.Va. Code §19-20-4). Agricultural biotechnology is regulated by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The Department has issued a set of regulations intended to ensure the safe use of biotechnology in agricultural production. These regulations include requirements for the registration and labeling of biotechnology-derived products, the prevention of unauthorized use, and the establishment of standards for the safety and efficacy of biotechnology-derived products. The West Virginia Code also includes regulations related to the use of biotechnology in agricultural research. These regulations require researchers to obtain a permit from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture before conducting research with biotechnology-derived materials. The permit must be renewed annually and requires a detailed description of the research project, the methodologies to be used, and the safety and efficacy standards that will be maintained. The West Virginia State Legislature also enacted legislation in 2004 that bans the use of cloning in agricultural production. The legislation prohibits the use of reproductive cloning in the production of agricultural animals, plants, and products in West Virginia. Overall, the laws in West Virginia regarding the use of biotechnology in agriculture are largely organized around the safe and responsible use of this technology. Through the use of registration, labeling, and permitting requirements, the State of West Virginia is committed to ensuring that biotechnology-derived products used in agricultural production are safe and effective.

What are the laws governing the use of biotechnology in agriculture?

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